Euro 2025: Germany survive early red to edge France on penalties and reach semi-finals
The Germans pulled off a stunning comeback from a goal down and a straight red card for defender Kathrin Hendrich after 13 minutes, battling their way back into the game and eventually getting the better of their opponents in a thrilling shootout.
Hendrich was sent off after a VAR review established that she had pulled the hair of Griege Mbock Bathy in the box, and Grace Geyoro's subsequent penalty had the power to get over the line despite Berger getting a strong hand to it.
France 1-0 Germany
A moment of madness!
Germany's Kathrin Hendrich is sent off and France are awarded a penalty after VAR spots a hair pull in the box. Grace Geyoro converts, just.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 19, 2025
On the ropes and struggling, the Germans suddenly levelled, Sjoeke Nuesken catching the defence napping by darting towards Klara Buehl's near-post corner and flashing a header into the net in the 25th minute.
With the well-organised Germans defending doggedly, France had two goals ruled out for offside, Nuesken had a second-half penalty saved, and neither side managed to score in extra time.
The game went to penalties, and Berger got the shootout off to a great start for the Germans by saving from Amel Majri, but they were brought back to level pegging when Sara Daebrtiz struck her spot kick off the crossbar and over the goal.
Berger then fired home from the spot herself before diving to her left to deny Alice Sombath, sending the Germans through to the last four.
They will face Spain on Wednesday, a day after England face Italy in the other semi-final.
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