Germany Advances to Euro 2025 Semifinals Overcoming Early Red Card, Defeating France on Penalties

Germany secured a dramatic 6-5 penalty shootout victory over France to advance to the Euro 2025 Women's semi-finals, despite playing nearly the entire match with 10 players after defender Kathrin Hendrich received a red card for a hair-pull foul. France took an early lead from the penalty, but Germany equalized through Sjoeke Nüsken's header, and both teams had goals disallowed before the match remained tied 1-1 after extra time. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was pivotal throughout, making 9 to 11 crucial saves including two in the shootout and a vital save off the line in extra time, helping Germany overcome the numerical disadvantage. The shootout saw Berger score a penalty herself and deny the decisive French attempts, sending Germany to face world champions Spain in the semi-finals. France dominated possession but struggled to convert chances, with key players having goals disallowed and penalties saved. Germany's resilience and Berger's heroics were widely praised as they defied the odds to keep their record as the most successful team in Women's Euro history alive.