Nations League semi-finals
Wild crime thriller: dream goal redeems DFB women against France
Updated 10/24/2025 – 8:26 p.mReading time: 7 minutes
The hit against the “Équipe Tricolore” gets off to a stormy start from a German perspective. But then a different game develops. The decision is made shortly before the end – but it still remains exciting.
A very important victory for the DFB women in the fight for a place in the final of the Nations League: In the semi-final first leg against France, national coach Christian Wück’s team won 1-0 (0-0) on Friday evening. Klara Bühl was the match winner for Germany in a high-class and hard-fought game (79th).
Before kick-off, the DFB team showed the jerseys of Lena Oberdorf and Giovanna Hoffmann for the team photo as a gesture to their colleagues, both of whom will be out for a long time due to torn cruciate ligaments. As expected, Giulia Gwinn made her comeback in front of 37,191 fans in the first game after the EURO after an medial knee ligament injury that the captain suffered in the first European Championship game.
After Germany’s courageous start, Nicole Anyomi made her first dangerous shot after just 123 seconds – thanks to preparatory work by Carlotta Wamser. The European Championship discovery was allowed to spin on the right wing, while Jule Brand moved to the center, which was unfamiliar to her.
The DFB team presented a lively performance and narrowly missed taking the lead through Bühl (20′), but they also had to always be on guard defensively. First Johannes, then Kathrin Hendrich had to clear in dire need against Delphine Cascarino and Kadidiatou Diani (22′).
The second half also started quickly, with Sjoeke Nüsken heading just wide of the goal from Gwinn’s cross (55′). Shortly after another missed chance (57th), it was over for Anyomi and Wück sent Schüller onto the field. Gwinn also called it a day after almost an hour and made room for Selina Cerci. An open exchange of blows developed, and France also remained dangerous. Bühl scored the decisive goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The game to read in the ticker.
90. +7 – Final whistle in Düsseldorf. A convincing performance by the German team, who still had a lot of trouble at times with the French, who at times put up strong opposition. In addition, there was a wasteful use of high-profile opportunities. In the end, however, the Wück team’s victory was completely okay; they were simply better over the course of the game, always played forward, pushed for the important first-leg win – and deserved it.
90. +4 – The really big final offensive by the French will probably not happen.
90. +1 – Jule Brand leaves the pitch to great applause. For them, Alara comes into the game for injury time.
90th minute of play – Seven minutes are replayed. A bit much.
89th minute of play – Substitute Malard now also sees a yellow card.
89th minute of play – France also changes again: Diani leaves the pitch for Kelly Gago, Thiniba Samoura replaces Elisa de Almeida.