Germany vs France LIVE: Euro 2022 result and final score as Alexandra Popp double sets up England final
Germany 2-1 France: Popp scored two crucial goals as the eight-time European champions advanced to Wembley and booked a meeting with the Lionesses
Germany will play England in the Euro 2022 final after they defeated France thanks to a double from captain Alexandra Popp in Milton Keynes.
The eight-time European champions Germany took a deserved lead near the end of a fast-paced opening half, as Popp arrived into the box to score for the fifth match in a row at the tournament.
But it was quickly cancelled out before the break by the French, playing in their first major tournament semi-final, when Kadidiatou Diani’s fierce hit rebounded off the post and cannoned off the unfortunate goalkeeper Merle Frohms.
France would have the better chances in the second half - but Germany had the more clinical striker. Popp once again times her run to perfection and it was the Germany captain’s towering header that restored their lead on 76 minutes.
The goal, which also moved Popp level with England’s Beth Mead in the golden boot standings, proved to be decisive and Germany will face the Lionesses in the Wembley final on Sunday.
Follow all the reaction and relive the match as Germany edged France in a thrilling Euro 2022 semi-final:
GOAL! Germany 1-0 France (40’, Popp)⚽️
40 mins: Germany take the lead!
Giulia Gwinn pushes up the pitch on the right side and knocks the ball up to Jule Brand. Brand carries it into the box before slipping a short pass to Svenja Huth.
Huth lifts the ball to the middle of the box where Alexandra Popp forces her way in front of Eve Perisset and smokes the ball into the back of the net on the half-volley!
Germany 0-0 France
37 mins: Germany are persisting with their efforts down the right side but Wendie Renard is winning every challenge she’s going into.
The main battle is occuring in midfield, neither team has managed to get a foothold to push the other back as of yet.
Germany 0-0 France
34 mins: France target Renard from their set piece but she’s put under pressure from Popp who holds her ground and wins the ball allowing Germany to clear.
As expected there isn’t a great deal to separate the teams in this first half.
Germany 0-0 France
31 mins: Renard slides a through ball up to Geyoro who takes it past Oberdorf and looks to drive into the box. Sensing the danger Oberdorf yanks back the French midfielder and gives away a free kick.
Germany 0-0 France
28 mins: Wendie Renard isn’t happy with Lina Magull’s antics as she brings the ball into the box and goes down softly under a tackle from the French captain.
There’s a VAR check to see if a penalty needs to be given but it’s over quite quickly and the game goes on.
Germany 0-0 France
25 mins: Germany win another free kick just outside the French penalty area. They are now seeing more possession in the French final third.
Felicitas Rauch takes this one and hoofs it straight over the crossbar.
Germany 0-0 France
22 mins: Save! Alexandra Popp takes the set piece and drills her shot through the French wall. The ball is trailing away from the goalkeeper and looks to be heading it but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin leaps across and pushes it wide with two strong hands.
Good save from the French keeper.
Germany 0-0 France
20 mins: Jule Brand has her first real impact on the game with a storming central run to the edge of the box. Sandie Toletti has seen enough and comes flying in from the French right side before taking out the German forward.
Free kick right on the tip of the ‘D’ for Germany.
Germany 0-0 France
17 mins: Alexandra Popp and Marina Hegering both look to get on the end of a German free kick and jump into the French goalkeeper giving away a foul.
France then sweep down the left with Delphine Cascarino holding off three defenders before squeezing the ball out to Charlotte Bilbault.
Bilbault rolls it to Perisset whose cross lands straight in the hands of Merle Frohms.
Germany 0-0 France
14 mins: A clearance from France comes up to Melvine Malard who brings the ball under control before turning it around the corner for Kadidiatou Diani.
Diani drives towards the box and sees Grace Geyoro running through the middle Diani attempts to pick her out but Marina Hegering blocks the pass.
The ball rolls back to Diani but she’s too indecisive about what to do next and gets closed down by two German defenders.
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