Secret favorite France has reached the semi-finals of a European Championship for the first time and will challenge the DFB women there on Wednesday. Coach Corinne Diacre’s team defeated the defending champion and vice world champion Netherlands 1-0 (0-0) after extra time in Rotherham, England, ending the quarter-final curse that had lasted for years.
Eve Perisset (102′) scored from the penalty spot for France, who have recently been eliminated in the round of eight in five consecutive major tournaments.
In the semi-finals in Milton Keynes (9 p.m. / ZDF and DAZN) Les Bleues will now face the German team. The French won the last comparison on June 10, 2021 in Strasbourg 1-0.
France on the trigger from the start
In front of 5000 spectators, France put their stamp on the game from the start. The most notable player was Delphine Cascarino, who failed first to goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar (22nd) and then to the post (27th).
Another attempt by Melvine Malard (37′) was cleared down the line. There was hardly anything to be seen of Oranje star striker Vivianne Miedema, who had missed two group games because of a positive corona test.
Penalty brings the decision
In the second half, the Netherlands started a little more courageously and also had their best chance to date (56th) through Miedema. Substitute Selma Bacha brought new momentum to the French team, who were much closer to scoring the first goal. Only a penalty whistle after a foul by Wolfsburg’s Dominique Janssen and a long study of the TV pictures brought the decision.
Despite the defeat a year ago, the statistics speak for the DFB team against France: Germany has won eleven and France only five of 20 duels so far.