Germany overcome numerical disadvantage against France to book semi place

The last semi-final place at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland goes to Germany! In a thrilling encounter against France, in which Klara Bühl, Franziska Kett, Linda Dallmann and Co played with 10 players for most of the game, the Germans went through 6-5 on penalties.

The first goal of the night at the sold-out St. Jakob-Park in Basel went to the French. After a foul in the box, Kathy Hendrich was shown a red card and Grace Geyoro converted the penalty in the 13th minute. Germany battled back well despite the numerical disadvantage, though. With 25 minutes gone, Bühl delivered a precise corner onto the head of Sjoeke Nüsken, who nodded in the equaliser. France thought they had retaken the lead in the second half with a second goal for Geyoro, but referee Tess Olofsson reversed her decision after a VAR review. Germany then had a big chance to go in front in the 69th minute, when Jule Brand was brought down in the French penalty box, but Nüsken couldn‘t beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin this time.

With the score still at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match went to extra time. The German defence stood firm, meaning penalties were required to settle it. Christian Wück’s side showed the better nerves here and came out on top, thanks largely to goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who saved two penalties and scored one herself and was subsequently named Player of the Match. Germany now face world champions Spain on Wednesday night for a place in the final.

France 1-1 Germany (a.e.t. – Germany win 6-5 on pens)

Goals: 1-0 Geyoro (15’ pen), 1-1 Nüsken (25’)

Penalties: 0-1 Minge, 0-2 Dallmann, 1-2 Karchaoui, 1-3 Knaak, 2-3 Malard, 3-3 Baltimore, 3-4 Berger, 4-4 Jean Francois, 4-5 Bühl, 5-5 N‘Dogala, 5-6 Nüsken

FCB players (minutes played): Franziska Kett (120 minutes), Klara Bühl (120 minutes), Lea Schüller (21 minutes), Linda Dallmann (1 minute), Ena Mahmutovic (unused substitute)

Stanway & England beat Sweden on penalties

Georgia Stanway and England are through to the semi-finals of Euro 2025 after the holders claimed a dramatic victory on penalties over a Sweden side including FC Bayern Women teammates Magdalena Eriksson and Julia Zigiotti Olme. The latter went ahead early when Kosovare Asllani took advantage of a misplaced pass out from the back by the Lionesses. Zigiotti then teed up Stina Blackstenius to double the lead after 25 minutes.

Julia Zigiotti Olme came up agonisingly short against England in Zurich. | © Imago

Sweden looked on course for victory and a place in the final four until England struck two goals in as many minutes in the closing stages. Lucy Bronze headed in the first with 79 minutes on the clock before Michelle Agyemang turned in the equaliser from close range after Beth Mead’s blocked effort. With no further goals in the extra 30 minutes, the quarter-final went to penalties. England scored three of their seven attempts to ultimately progress in a thrilling tie. Stanway’s team will now face Italy in the semi-finals after Arianna Caruso’s side beat Tuva Hansen’s Norway.

Sweden 2-2 England (a.e.t. – England win 3-2 on pens)

Goals: 1-0 Asllani (2’), 2-0 Blackstenius (25’), 2-1 Bronze (79’), 2-2 Agyemang (81’)

Penalties: 0-1 Russo, 1-1 Zigiotti Olme, 2-1 Björn, 2-2 Kelly, 2-3 Bronze

FCB players (minutes played): Magdalena Eriksson (120 minutes), Julia Zigiotti Olme (120), Georgia Stanway (70)

Caruso’s Italy with last-minute win

Arianna Caruso’s Italy will now meet England in Geneva. | © Imago

Caruso had played the full game the day before as Italy edged Hansen’s Italy with a last-minute winner in the first quarter-final. Bayern’s Italian midfielder was in fact denied a goal by her Munich teammate as it remained level in the first half. Cristiana Girelli finally opened the scoring after the break before Ada Hegerberg squandered a great chance to equalise and also missed a penalty. However, the Lyon striker did finally restore parity after 66 minutes. It was Italy, though, who made one final opportunity count when Girelli struck in the 90th minute to send them through to the final four.

Norway 1-2 Italy

Goals: 0-1 Girelli (50‘), 1-1 Hegerberg (66‘), 1-2 Girelli (90‘)

FCB players (minutes played): Tuva Hansen (90 minutes), Arianna Caruso (90)