Ann-Katrin Berger produced a save for the ages as 10-player Germany stunned France 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Euro 2025 semi-finals in Basel. The goalkeeper's extraordinary one-handed stop in extra time and two penalty saves, including the decisive one from Alice Sombath, propelled the record eight-time champions into a last-four clash with Spain.
Germany's hopes looked bleak in the 13th minute when Kathrin Hendrich was sent off for pulling Griedge Mbock's hair in the box. Grace Geyoro converted the resulting penalty, becoming France's all-time top scorer at Women's European Championships. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Germany equalised just before half-time through Sjoeke Nüsken's header from Klara Bühl's corner.
France had two goals disallowed for offside, while Germany missed a penalty in normal time when Nüsken's spot-kick was saved by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. Berger then produced the save of the tournament in extra time, clawing Janina Minge's own-goal-bound header off the line with a stunning one-handed save.
Germany coach Christian Wück hailed his side's resilience: 'Tonight was the best and hardest-fought performance I've seen from the team since I've known them.' France coach Laurent Bonadei insisted his team had no psychological block, saying: 'Rome was not built in one day. We will continue to work hard so that one day this team will get a trophy.'
