Germany Battles Through Early Red Cards to Secure Stunning Euro Semi-Final Spot; Will France Face Another Collapse?

Basel, Switzerland — When German goalkeeper Anne Katlin Berger collapsed into her teammates’ embrace, the reality hit: Germany achieved what seemed impossible.

Historically, no team has ever returned after eliminating opponents in the Women’s Euros. Germany triumphed over France in the quarter-finals, managing to secure victory through a penalty shootout following an intense, two-hour match.

Veteran defender Kathrin Hendrich faced a direct red card in the 12th minute due to a reckless challenge on French captain Greidge Mbock Bathy, making it the quickest red card in Women’s Euro history and thrusting Germany into a daunting challenge.

Undeterred, Germany battled for 120 minutes, with Berger showcasing her skills by making nine critical saves, one of which included an extraordinary diving effort as Janina Minge’s clearance nearly found its way into the net. Since 2013, only Daphne Van Domselaar, another Dutch goalkeeper, has made a comparable save in a knockout match.

Germany faced challenges as Sjoeke Nüsken also saved a penalty at the 68-minute mark, yet the former champions struggled offensively with only 18 attempts on goal.

Many of referee Tess Olofsson’s calls appeared to lean against Germany, with her whistle stopping the game frequently—50 fouls were called in 120 minutes, but only five yellow cards were issued as both teams sought to advance.

The atmosphere at St. Jacob Park was electric, with the crowd erupting as Germany started to gain momentum in extra time. Despite weathering rapid French assaults, Germany created some of the night’s best opportunities, fueled by unwavering fan support.

Cheers, chants, and emotional displays filled the stadium, while the French side faced a barrage of boos and jeers from the crowd.

Supporters from both nations made their presence felt with 34,128 fans in attendance, though the two sides were split on their loyalty, united only in their frustration over inconsistent refereeing.

For Germany, there remains a glimmer of hope against France, which has struggled historically in major tournaments.

France hasn’t beaten Germany in any significant women’s tournament, adding another loss to their record of 12 defeats. They did secure a fleeting victory in an international league final but remain haunted by their overall track record.

This marks the third time France has exited the Euros due to a penalty shootout, a reality fans had hoped would not repeat itself this late in the competition.

The body language of the German and French players diverged sharply as the match wore on; the Germans appeared confident, while the French were visibly anxious, some players struggling to maintain composure during Berger’s pivotal saves.

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However, the French issues go beyond missed penalties. This marks their fourth consecutive loss in Euro quarterfinals, and out of nine appearances in major tournament quarterfinals, they have advanced past this stage only once—in the 2022 Euros, they fell to Germany in the semifinals.

The French team’s absence from finals in five World Cups and three Olympics over seven Euros reflects a persistent struggle despite their evident potential—hurdles seem to overshadow their capabilities in critical matchups.

In essence, the performance was typical of France’s major tournament history: they squandered a golden opportunity against a weakened German side that had suffered a significant red card in the previous game.

France should have capitalized on their advantage, especially after salvaging a penalty that could have defined their chances. However, they failed to transform opportunities, with two of their goals ruled offside and only half of their 18 attempts on target. German defensive resilience added to their troubles, forcing France into uncharacteristic decisions under pressure.

The Germans now rejoice but face a lengthy road ahead as they prepare for a semifinal clash against Spain on Wednesday. They must strategize efficiently, particularly given Nüsken’s suspension (yellow card accumulation), Hendrich’s red card, and Gilia Gwyn’s knee injury, which clouds their goal-scoring prospects.

France, on the other hand, faces continued disappointment, their tournament plight persistent despite a coaching shake-up under Laurent Bonadei. The absence of star players like Wendy Leonard, Eugenie Le Summer, and Kenza Dali may have impacted their campaign more than anticipated.

The situation isn’t rosy, but as the World Cup looms two years ahead, France has time to seek solutions. Meanwhile, Germany stands just one step away from reaching their second Euro final.