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:
Germany 0-0 France
11 mins: Wendie Renard jogs across to the right side of the box and clears a through ball into the penalty area. Sara Dabritz collects it from the resultant through and drives at Eve Perisset who knocks the ball out for a corner.
Germany 0-0 France
8 mins: France are looking confident when they’re attacking and it’s the Germans who seem slightly flustered at the back. Merle Frohms attempts to punch the ball clear from a corner but it drops to Wendie Renard who is tackled just inside the box.
Les Bleus recover the ball and send it over to Diani who drives down the wing before cutting inside and shaking off a couple of tackles. He options are limited and she eventually gets closed down from three sides and loses possession.
Germany 0-0 France
5 mins: These early stages have shown off Germany’s keen attempts to press and close down the ball as quickly as possible in midfield.
France come down the left wing before Delphine Cascarino switches the play with a curling pass into the right side of the box. Kadidiatou Diani looks to sprint in behind Felicitas Rauch but the defender manages to poke the ball behind for a corner.
Germany 0-0 France
3 mins: Lina Magull - who scored in Germany’s quarter-final against Austria - tries to drive down the right wing but is hacked down by a sliding Charlotte Bilbault who gives away a free kick.
The set piece is curled into the box with Alexandra Popp the target but it doesn’t reach her and France work it clear.
Kick off: Germany 0-0 France
France kick of the game. This is the second Euro 2022 semi-final with the teams playing for the chance to take on England in the showpiece on Sunday.
The French boot it long up the pitch and the ball skips out for an early goal kick.
Germany vs France
Here come the players.
Alexandra Popp leads out Germany with Wendie Renard at the head of the French team. The national anthems are played, the stage is set.
Who will join England in the Euro 2022 final?
Kick off is next...
Renard aiming for the trophy
France captain, Wendie Renard, says that reaching the final is not good enough for her team and that in order to be remembered they need to win the European Championship trophy.
“It will not mean anything if we don’t win the trophy.” she said at the pre-match press conference, “People don’t talk about finishing third, people only talk about the winners and if you win a trophy.
“I’m competitive and love winning trophies and I’m doing everything here that I can. The young players are gaining experience and also really want to win a trophy for the national team.
“It will be a great game against a top team that’s already won this tournament before so we know it’s going to be difficult but nothing is impossible. There’s plenty of quality in our team and I believe in my team-mates.
“It’s two top football nations coming together, it’s the semi-finals of the Euros and both teams are here for a reason. Germany have scored many goals and not conceded any so we need to be determined and clinical when we get into the box. We’re taking it calmly and not putting pressure on ourselves.”
For Klara
Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg said the news that Klara Buhl had tested positive for Covid-19 left the squad feeling “subdued”, while 20-year-old defensive midfielder Lena Oberdorf added that it provided extra motivation for the team to succeed.
“It’s such a pity for Klara, she’s been in really good form and played really well in all the games,” she said, “We will play the game for Klara and try to win it for her, we will give everything.”
Ones to watch: Kadidiatou Diani
With her Paris Saint-Germain colleague Marie-Antoinette Katoto ruled out of the tournament through injury, Diani is forging on as the effective spearhead of the France attack.
She was moved from usual her right-hand side to centre forward during the quarter-final against the Netherlands as Corinne Diacre looked to break down their stubborn defence.
Fast and skilful, Diani is always willing to take on defenders and turn a seemingly unpromising situation into a clear chance for herself or a teammate.
The sight of the 27-year-old in full flight, her flowing hair following slightly behind, is as thrilling for spectators as it is ominous for opponents.
Ones to watch: Alexandra Popp
Alexandra Popp missed the 2013 and 2017 final tournaments through injury and she would have missed these finals too had they happened as scheduled in 2021.
The emotion showed after she came off the bench against Denmark to score the final goal in Germany’s 4-0 opening win
She has gone from strength to strength since and has scored in all four of Germany’s games in England, becoming the first player to register in four successive games at a single Women’s Euros - Heidi Mohr did it across three tournaments in the days of four-team knockout finals.
An all-action, inspiring presence, Popp is driving her team towards claiming one of the very few major honours she hasn’t already won.
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