Germany advance to Euro 2022 semis
July 21, 2022
A first-half strike from Lina Magull and a late goal from Alexandra Poppsent Germany into the semifinals of Euro 2022 with a 2-0 win over Austria at the Brentford Community Stadium.
"The game could have ended 6-3," Voss-Tecklenburg said after the final whistle had blown in an encounter which had seen Austria hit the woodwork three times. "We played against a very good side. Huge compliments to Austria."
Irene Fuhrmann's side did make things difficult for the Germans throughout the match, and even came close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute when Marina Georgieva's header came back off the outside of the post.
But it was Germany, though, who took the lead in the 26th minute after a poor clearance by Austrian goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger was cut off by the German midfield and headed up to Klara Bühl. She got to the byline before cutting it back into the area for Popp who astutley stepped over the ball, leaving it for Magull to side-foot in.
Austria fought back in the second half with forward Barbara Dunst hitting the bar with a long-range shot. Sarah Puntigam hit the post after her initial shot was blocked. On the occasions when the Austrians did hit the target, Merle Frohms wad there to maintain the clean sheet.
Germany could have put the match to bed in the 82nd minute but Bühl missed a sitter in front of an open goal.
She was not left to rue that miss as in the 90th minute Popp pressed keeper Zinsberger into hitting the ball against her on a clearance and it ended up in the back of the net. It was the most unorthox of Popp's four goals in Germany's four games at this tournament, but no less valuable.
"We'd analysed Austria and wanted to press them in that way in order to put their goalkeeper under pressure and force them into making a mistake," Voss-Tecklenburg said. "We only managed it in the 93rd minute, but Poppi was waiting for this moment right until the end and did a fantastic job."
Now Germany go on to await the winner of Saturday's quarterfinal between France and the Netherlands.