With a win in the Nations League semi-final against France, the DFB women could have secured their ticket to the Olympics. However, it was a narrow defeat.
The German women’s national team missed out on making it to the final of the Nations League and thus lost its first chance of qualifying for the Olympics. There was a 1:2 (0:2) defeat against France in the semifinals.
The French presented themselves as overwhelmingly superior in the first half, and real scoring opportunities for the German team were scarce. The French women constantly threatened to score, especially through their dangerous tempo runs over the German left side of the defense and subsequent crosses. In the 41st minute, it was Kadidiatou Diani who gave France the lead after a free kick. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, the French increased their lead with a penalty kick, which Sakina Karchaoui converted.
In the second half, the Germans showed a much better performance and created a few chances to score. But it wasn’t enough for Giulia Gwinn to score more than once, also from the penalty spot.
Germany has now been eliminated from the Nations League. But the chance for the Olympics lives on: Since the French have pre-qualified as hosts for the Olympics, the second ticket will be played in the game for third place. There the DFB women face the Netherlands, who lost 3-0 to the world champions from Spain in the second semi-final.
The whole game can be read in the live ticker:
90th minute +5 – And that’s it! Germany loses to France and is eliminated from the Nations League.
90th minute +3 – Things are getting close again. Brand takes a shot from 20 meters and narrowly misses the goal.
90th minute +2 – There are five minutes of injury time. But France now manages to keep the ball in their own ranks and takes their time with every goal kick and free kick. There is also another change: Diani goes for Baltimore.
88th minute – Germany is now giving France a lot of steam, but time is running out. France tries to circulate the ball.
86th minute – The next one is about 30 meters in front of the goal because Toletti clears Däbritz. Popp brings the ball towards the goal, but Peyraud-Magnin dives and can defuse the ball.
85th minute – Henry rudely jumps Lohmann in the back. But the free kick achieves nothing.
84th minute – Now the stadium calls for a penalty for France. Katoto falls in a duel with Oberdorf. But referee Staubli lets things continue. The VAR doesn’t respond either.
82nd minute – … and hits the crossbar with a powerful shot from the left. Now everything is back!
81st minute – and she gives the penalty! This is the chance for Germany to shorten the gap. Gwinn grabs the ball…
80th minute – Are there any penalties for Germany now? Henry wants to clear a German cross with his head, but gets the ball in his hand. Referee Esther Staubli didn’t see it at first. But the VAR asks you to go to the screen…
79th minute – Linder goes over to the left and brings the ball into the middle. There Lakrar can clear with his toe in front of Lohmann. A goal from the Germans would now be due.
77th minute – France reacts and makes two substitutions. Cascarino comes for Bacha and Toletti for Le Sommer.
76th minute – Germany is now sniffing the connection. Däbritz takes a shot from a good 25 meters and just misses to the right.
72nd minute – Almost the connection for Germany. After a good transition from the Germans, Bühl puts the ball through to Popp in the penalty area, but her ball hits the crossbar. That was close!
70th minute – Bacha sets the stage for Karchaoui, who cleverly ran behind on the left. The Frenchwoman advances into the penalty area, but is blocked for a corner. It lands on Lakrar’s head, but she sets the ball too high. Oberdorf is now back in the game.
69th minute – Oberdorf wants to continue, but is still bleeding and is not allowed in. In the meantime, Bacha tries from a distance and Frohms can only let the flutter ball hit. But there is no French woman there to collect the dust.