FC Bayern and Germany foursome Melanie Behringer, Melanie Leupolz, Leonie Maier and Lena Lotzen are through to the Women’s World Cup Canada semi-finals. In a tense meeting between the side lying top of the world ranking and third-placed France, Silvia Neid’s team prevailed 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in normal and extra-time

The quarter-final clash in Montreal was settled with the final spot-kick, as Behringer, Germany’s four other takers and their first four French counterparts all scored but keeper Nadine Angerer saved Claire Lavogez’ effort with her knee. Germany now meet arch-rivals USA in Tuesday’s semi.

“We were a little lucky today. We didn’t have our best day,” Neid commented afterwards. The skilled and quick French applied pressure from the start and ultimately took a 64th-minute lead when Louisa Necib’s deflected shot wrong-footed Angerer.

However, Neid’s team reacted bravely and were rewarded with six minutes to go when Amel Majris handled a Maier cross in the box, Celia Sasic coolly converting the ensuing penalty. There were no further goals before the 120 minutes were up and Angerer sealed her side’s place in the last four.

Maier and Leupolz played the full match, Behringer came on after 79 minutes, and Lotzen was an unused sub.