Germany beat France
June 27, 2015
Germany 1-1 France (AET - 5-4 to Germany on penalties)
(Sasic pen 84' - Necib 64')
The French team, who were backed by strong support at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, dominated what was a competitive first half between arguably the two best teams at the tournament. France should have been ahead inside the first minute, too. Elodie Thomis strode down the right-hand side, before chipping a cross to the back post for Louisa Necib, but she dragged her shot wide of Nadine Angerer's post.
Germany's only chance of the half came after 15 minutes, as Celia Sasic rose highest to meet Simone Laudehr's cross, but couldn't get high enough to meet the ball properly, and headed wide. Marie Delie headed over the bar with 25 minutes played before Leonie Maier blocked superbly from Louisa Necib, stretching to strike home a cross. Angerer was forced to make a strong save before half-time, as Necib turned well in the box and struck a shot on the half-volley which Angerer was able to parry away. The score was goalless at the break, but France certainly went into the dressing rooms the happier of the two sides.
Sasic at the last
At half-time, star-sub Dzsenifer Marozsan came on to replace Anja Mittag for Germany and the Germans started well following their poor first half. Sasic shot from distance at Sarah Bouhaddi, who had to push the effort away. Marozsan herself then had a free-kick, which again forced Bouhaddi into work, but it was France who struck first just after the hour. A long ball forward was touched away by Annike Krahn, but only to the oncoming Necib. The midfielder's strike which looked as if it would have been saved by Angerer, deflected off Krahn and into the top corner past the dispairing goalkeeper.
With five minutes to play, the game looked beyond Germany with no real chances created in the second half. Still, though, they came forward, and Maier cut-inside from the right to shoot with her left. The ball appeared to strike the arm of Amel Majri. Penalty. Sasic stepped up and sent Bouhaddi the wrong way to send the game to extra-time.
Angerer saves the day
Extra-time came and went quickly, with just one chance coming for the French. Jessic Houara crossed to the back to an unmarked Gaetene Thiney, who put her effort wide from just a couple of yards with the goal wide open. However, an incorrect offside call from the linesman saved her dignity. Penalties would decide this incredible match.
Despite the tension of the situation and fatigue playing a key factor after 120 minutes of football, the penalty shoot-out was decided by just a single save. Nine penalties were scored, five from Germany and four from France, before Claire Lavogez stepped up.
She sent her penalty slightly to the left of Angerer, who saved with both hands to parry the ball away. Germany are into the semifinals of the World Cup for the fifth time in tournament history. They will face the US in the semifinals, who beat China 1-0 in their quarterfinal clash.