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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sarah Rendell

France 1-1 Germany (Germany win on pens 5-6): Women’s Euro 2025 quarter-final – as it happened

Sjoeke Nusken, Linda Dallmann and  Klara Buhl race to celebrate after the shoot-out win.
Sjoeke Nusken, Linda Dallmann and Klara Buhl race to celebrate after the shoot-out win. Photograph: Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters

Thank you so much for joining me for this quarter-final, which more than lived up to its billing. France had been utterly dominant in the group stage and Germany headed into the game off of the back of their biggest-ever women’s Euros loss, so France were the slight favourites. After 13 minutes, it felt as though it wasn’t Germany’s day with Kathrin Hendrich given a red card for a hair pull. A resulting Grace Geyoro penalty seemed to urge Germany on though and Sjoeke Nusken equalised from a corner. Germany’s defence worked tirelessly for the rest of the match and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger kept them in it with a save. Then Berger was a shootout hero to send them to the semi-finals. You can catch up with all the ins and outs of that one below. Keep across our coverage from the tournament over the next few days but our live coverage resumes on Tuesday when England play Italy. see you then.

That dramatic shootout win means Germany will play Spain in the semi-final on Wednesday. With the other semi-final between England and Italy, both teams from the 2022 final are through to the last four.

Ann-Katrin Berger has such a great story. She has recovered from a cancer battle to come back to the biggest stages of football and she is one of the best goalkeepers, proving it once again tonight. A lovely moment came as Germany ran over to their supporters just now, they pushed Berger forwards to hail their shot stopper and she waves them off and pointed to the rest of the team.

João André has emailed:

Berger was a hero, but must confess my disappointment in Sombath. Was clear Berger was hurt on her right shoulder as she only jumped to her left. This could have been just a matter of shooting to Berger’s right and waiting for the Germans to miss. Still, great victory and looking forward to the semis.

This is a great observation João, she was mainly just jumping one side after hurting herself in that crucial extra time save. But Sombath is young and she will learn from this. France should have had this wrapped up in normal time.

Before we went to the shootout, the UK coverage said France had not practiced penalties for this tournament. That now seems like the most ridiculous decision. Laurent Bonadei’s decision to leave stars like Wendie Renard and Eugiene Le Sommer at home for this Euros also seems like an error too.

A word for Sjoeke Nusken as well. She scored the equaliser and was presented with the chance to slot the winner after they were given a penalty. But Pauline Peyraud-Magnin made a great save. It made me question if she would take one in the shootout but she stepped up at the sixth German attempt and scored. A big game player who Germany will miss against Spain as she picked up a yellow card so she is suspended for the semi-final.

Updated

I am slightly speechless, it’s a good job I’m writing my reaction. After Hendrich received a red card I really did believe that France were going to run away with this. The penalty taken by Geyoro buoyed the French but Nusken popped the balloon with her phenomenal equaliser and the Germans just stayed in it. Heroic defence and France go out again.

There was a bit of a stuttered celebration there as I think the referee was just making sure that Berger had not moved off of her line. It was cleared and the emotions flow. Berger the hero. Two penalty saves. That crucial save in extra time. How have Germany done this? It’s truly incredible.

Updated

GERMANY THROUGH ON PENALTIES

Wow.

Updated

Penalties: France 5-6 Germany

For France, it’s Sombath. Berger saves.

Updated

Penalties: France 5-6 Germany

So it’s Nusken, who had a penalty saved earlier in the game. Can she score? Yes she can.

Penalties: France 5-5 Germany

Pressure is back on France and the pressure penalty falls to N’Dongala. She steps up and scores.

Penalties: France 4-5 Germany

My heart is pounding and I’m a neutral. I can’t imagine how fans or even the players are feeling. Bühl steps up and she scores a beauty.

Penalties: France 4-4 Germany

France’s Jean-Francois is up now for the pressure penalty. She has to score. She does.

Penalties: France 3-4 Germany

Germany come forward again and this time it’s Berger who steps up. She did score at the Olympics in a shootout and she does again here.

Updated

Penalties: France 3-3 Germany

France have the chance to level it here. Baltimore with the effort and she scores.

Penalties: France 2-3 Germany

Germany come again and it’s Dabritz, who also came on late in extra time. She steps up and hits the bar.

Penalties: France 2-3 Germany

France step up now with the pressure still on them. It’s Malard who comes forward and it’s in.

Updated

Penalties: France 1-3 Germany

Germany are next and it’s Knaak, who has had a great defensive game. She slots it.

Penalties: France 1-2 Germany

For France, it’s Karchaoui. The third French captain of the evening and she scores.

Penalties: France 0-2 Germany

Next up for Germany is Dallmann, who was brought on late in extra time. It’s in. Fantastic penalty.

Penalties: France 0-1 Germany

First up for France is Majri, who came on in extra time. She takes her time planting the ball, to boos from the German fans. She hits it and it’s saved.

Updated

Penalties: France 0-1 Germany

First up is Germany and Minge steps up first. It’s a long build-up before the referee blows but it eventually does and the strike is in.

Updated

Right, here we go then. They are being taken at the French end.

Christian Wück reacted to that final whistle by turning and roaring to the crowd with both of his arms raised into the air in celebration. What a performance from his side, defying their numerical disadvantage.

It’ll be interesting if Nusken takes one as she has already had one saved in this match.

Strap in everyone, things are about to get tense. If France don’t go through here they will be kicking themselves.

Full time: France 1-1 Germany - game goes to penalties

So penalties it is. What an effort from Germany to push it this far.

120 + 3 min: Oh my word Malard hits the bar from a long range effort. Wow. That would’ve been quite something.

120 + 1 min: Bacha is over the corner and sends it in but it’s cleared by Knaak. Three minutes have been added.

120 min: Dallmann and Dabritz are on just before France have a corner. Jeff has emailed:

No matter how good Germany have been, their time-wasting here has been pretty awful.

It depends how you look at it I suppose. Awful or tactical? If they can get away with it they will do it.

119 min: France come forward and try and find the all-important goal but they are judged offside. They come again but Bacha’s cross has too much on it. How France haven’t found a winner over these 119 minutes is beyond me. Germany have been a player down for 103 minutes but they still plug on.

117 min: Schuller is okay to continue but she doesn’t look too happy as she runs back to action. Brand is down now as she gets a tap to the face but she’s up.

116 min: Schuller is fouled and Lakrar gets a yellow card, she then kicks the ball away but the referee does not opt to give her another yellow for it. Schuller has remained down and receiving treatment.

114 min: Wuck does now make the change with Kett off for Cerci.

113 min: It looks like the medical staff signalled for a change with Kett still down with injury. But it isn’t made yet and play continues, why didn’t Wuck make a change? I doubt Kett will take a penalty.

112 min: France are readying more changes with Majri and N’Dongala coming on for de Almerida and Geyoro. Karchaoui the French captain now. Kett gets cramp off of the pitch and she moves over to get treatment from a teammate to slow the game down.

110 min: France come forward now with a promising move, Mateo crosses it over but it has too much on it for Malard. It looks like the Manchester United star then catches Bühl but the referee says it’s a slip and we play on.

109 min: Karchaoui looks to cross a good ball over but Senß is sent flying and Germany have reprieve again.

107 min: Paper Roses has emailed:

After a disappointing performance v Sweden, Berger has more than redeemed herself. No matter how this end she has been phenomenal…

Berger is definitely a keeper you want in a crucial game. Yes she can make mistakes but she thrives under pressure. One of the best in the world.

Back underway: France 1-1 Germany

15 minutes to go or we go to penalties.

Berger is such a clutch player, that is one of the best saves I’ve ever seen. What a player.

Extra time half-time: France 1-1 Germany

France should be ahead because of that Minge error with a header but Berger’s phenomenal save has kept them in this. It is still anyone’s.

105 + 1 min: France have a free kick in a great position but it’s straight out for a goal kick. There will be two minutes added.

105 min: Berger is back to her feet gingerly and she is okay to continue. If you have the opportunity do go and watch that save somewhere because it’s the best of the tournament so far.

104 min: France eventually come through and a bullet header comes from Minge who tries to clear it but it heads straight for the goal. Somehow, Berger saves it. It’s unbelievable. She is such an icon. She hurts herself in the process and is receiving treatment.

Updated

103 min: Kett fouls Baltimore and the French win a free kick. France take it quickly and send it wide with it sent in unconvincingly with Berger able to collect. Baltimore is fouled again by Kett shortly after and she gets a yellow card. De Almeida takes it but goes backwards as France look for a long build-up.

101 min: If France do go out tonight they will be ruing every chance they have had in this game. They have been a player up since the 13th minute and while they have troubled Germany, they haven’t looked as near as lethal as they did against England or the Netherlands.

99 min: I think Germany’s game plan is to send this to penalties. When they do get front foot ball they aren’t committing numbers to try and find a winner in case France win it back and counter. It looks like Germany are making a change with Schuller getting ready to come on and here it is. Hoffman comes off, who revs up the crowd, after a huge performance for Schuller.

97 min: Germany’s players are just not allowing France’s stars any time or space on the ball and it’s stalling the French. They have no answers to the German defence whatsoever at the moment.

95 min: Kett did well there to not only tackle De Almeida but to keep it on to avoid a throw in. France do pour forward though and Mateo looks to pounce in the area but Berger collects.

93 min: I definitely chose the right snack choice, popcorn is perfect for this blockbuster match. Geyoro gives away a free kick with Kleinherne on the deck. It’s taken short and ran back to the goalkeeper which seems bizarre and eventually France win the ball back.

91 min: I don’t think Germany have made any changes which is crazy, I thought that Wuck was going to make them before extra time. But Germany are playing well so if the players feel like they can continue, why change what’s working?

Back underway: France 1-1 Germany

Here we go.

Whatever happens from here onwards, this Germany team deserves immense respect for that performance with only 10 players. They have all performed courageously and - late on - they largely limited France to a few longer-range efforts. They have put in a huge shift and their fans here inside the stadium love them for it, they have been roaring them on, and they reacted to that full-time whistle with a huge cheer.

Well I have to say after Hendrich was sent off I thought France were going to win by around 3-0. But Germany have played so well with 10 players. Can they hold on for another half an hour? Or will it be penalties?

Full-time: France 1-1 Germany - game goes to extra time

This game has had everything so far. A red card. A penalty scored. A penalty saved. Goals disallowed. Now we head to extra time. Who will play Spain in the semi-finals? It’s too close to call.

Updated

90 + 8 min: I wonder how quickly Germany will make changes if this does go to extra time? It may not get that far as Germany have another free kick. Berger is the one to pump it up field but France defend it well.

90 + 6 min: Berger comes down the pitch to take a free kick, it comes to Brand after a few passes but the chance is over the bar.

90 + 5 min: France want to put this game to bed now as Bacha sends it in but Minge, who has been phenomenal for Germany today, clears it. France are looking increasingly frustrated.

90 + 3 min: France with patient build-up play ends with Bacha sending it in but Berger reads it well to collect.

Updated

90 + 1 min: Berger is down with injury but I think it might be more of a case of a tactical sit down so Germany can have a word with their manager. As predicted she is fine. There are eight minutes added.

90 min: Bacha takes it again and it comes to De Almeida at the back of the penalty area, she take a first touch shot but Berger saves easily. It looks like we will head to extra time, a few minutes left for someone to find a winner to prevent that.

Updated

89 min: France have a corner and Bacha is over it, can they find a winner here? Not yet. The delivery is to the edge of the box but it’s eventually off for another corner.

87 min: Bacha lets out a big scream as she is tackled by Hoffman but no yellow card is shown and the French star is back to her feet. France get some free flowing football through the team and Karchaoui launches a powerful ball but Berger collects.

85 min: France make a change with Mbock off for Sombath. Geyoro is the captain now.

84 min: There is a break in play as Mbock needs some treatment, she limps to the sidelines but she is okay to continue.

83 min: Kári Tulinius has emailed:

I agree that the Germans are starting to look tired, but the French have also been getting more and more frustrated, leading to mistakes like the penalty. It feels like a mistake will settle the match, and the only question is whether frustration or tiredness will lose out.

Yes it does feel that way at the moment, France’s chances in front of goal have depleted, much to my surprise. I thought they were going to run away with this as Sweden did when Germany received a red card in the last group game.

81 min: The shifts these German players have put in, no matter the result, have to be applauded. They still haven’t made any changes since that Linder one in the first half, they must be exhausted. I think the coach is thinking about extra time and will bring on stars like Schuller as late as he can.

79 min: France win a corner but Geyoro wanted a penalty as she thought there was handball. Knaak’s arm looked in a natural position though. Bacha is over the corner and it’s straight out.

77 min: Nusken receives a yellow card for a foul on Karchaoui which means if Germany go through she will be suspended for the semi-final. The French star is still down after the challenge and she is receiving treatment. France make two more changes with Katoto off for Mateo and Malard on for Cascarino. Karchaoui okay to continue.

75 min: Samuel Dobson has emailed:

As an England fan, I cannot decide who I want to win this game, thinking (perhaps) too far ahead to the final.

My instinct is not to root for the habitual serial winners in Germany, and plump for the flair and energy of this incroyable French team; but if there’s a choice between Germany, Spain and France, who would Wiegman take? The side bursting with pace and creativity or the side that may be coming to the end of something?

Either way, it’s an absorbing match!

I don’t think England will be thinking that far ahead, especially watching this game as whoever wins, as you say, will play favourites Spain. The Lionesses also have to get past Italy who have had a good tournament so far. Any of the teams remaining in this competition, including the two currently playing are capable of winning.

73 min: Berger makes a bit of a blunder as she comes out to punch a cross away but it goes over her and her defenders come to her rescue.

72 min: Germany have a corner and they pop it into the near post but it’s well handled by France. Germany remain on the front foot but Bühl’s shot is very wide.

70 min: Oh my, Nusken’s penalty isn’t badly struck but keeper Peyraud-Magnin reads it well to save. This game has everything.

PENALTY SAVE! France 1-1 Germany (Nusekn, 69)

It was such a clumsy challenge from Bacha and so unnecessary. Nusken steps up, can she put her side ahead? No she can’t.

Updated

68 min: Oh my word. Bacha is penalised for a foul on Brand and Germany have a penalty. This game!

68 min: Diani fouls Senß and she stays down but she does get back to her feet. France then make the change with Diani off for Baltimore.

67 min: Baltimore looks like she is getting ready to come on for France but the change isn’t made just yet as France look to create another attack.

65 min: It is interesting that Wuck has not made any changes to his German side so far aside from taking an injured Linder off. Is he thinking about the potential for extra time? His players are doing well with 10 but eventually they are going to tire and those sub choices will be key. France continue to plug away in attack though as they look to sew it up in normal time.

63 min: France are buoyant now and they pop it in three times but it’s repelled. Cascarino sees it back in and Berger saves from a Diani chance.

62 min: I was worried that the red card was going to turn this game into a one-sided affair but this game has given fans everything so far.

60 min: Just to explain that a little bit more. Berger made the good save and tries to set herself again as the ball came back out to Geyoro. But as she does so Lakrar, who is in an offside position, impedes the keeper which is why it’s been chalked off.

NO GOAL! France 1-1 Germany

The referee is called over to the monitor to see if Lakrar is offside. She put Berger under pressure when Geyoro scored. Will it be chalked off? It is.

58 min: This check may last a little bit longer than the other one ruled offside.

France countered and Cascarino has a great run up the pitch, she sets herself and takes a long range shot but Berger saves, conceding a corner in the process. Cascarino could have waited a little there and laid it off to a teammate. France’s first corner and they pop it in, Berger makes a good save but she can’t control and it’s in. VAR are checking this though.

GOAL! France 2-1 Germany (Geyoro, 57)

Berger thought she had stopped that but Geyoro is over.

56 min: What a win in the midfield from Brand, who hits it forward and Bühl makes a great run and draws a foul to win a free kick. Bühl is over it herself and sends it in but Diani heads clear.

The noisy support from the Germany fans inside this stadium has been relentless all evening, as if they’ve decided that, with only 10 players, their team needs their support even more than normal. They seem to particularly enjoy the Icelandic thunderclap and they are giving their team all their energy, while the France fans chant ‘Allez les bleues’ at the other end.

54 min: Bacha is over the set piece and it comes to the edge of the box, it’s a move from the training ground, but Germany crowd Karchaoui off of the ball. Some great defending there.

53 min: Brand is given a yellow card for a foul on Diani, it felt like the yellow was coming as she gave away a fair few in the first 45. It’s a great opportunity for France here, the free kick is on the left-hand side of the box.

51 min: We have a long way to go in this one before penalties are a possibility but Germany’s keeper Berger is well versed in winning shootouts, she was the hero for Chelsea against Lyon in the Champions League a few seasons ago.

49 min: Germany win a free kick as Karchaoui and Nusken clash heads, a pure accident. Bühl is over the set piece and the delivery is a good one but a foul on Cascarino sees the chance wasted.

47 min: It looks like Dallmann and Schuller are getting ready to come on for Germany but the changes haven’t been made yet. Peter Gartner has emailed:

Neither of these teams have a chance against Spain in the semi-final on the basis of what we have seen tonight.

I think both of the teams could challenge Spain, hosts Switzerland did last night and both France and Germany are arguably better than the Swiss.

Back underway: France 1-1 Germany

So can Germany orchestrate a comeback with 10 players? Or will France seal their spot in the semi-finals? All to come.

A piece to get your teeth into at half-time:

A fun fact for you, Sjoeke Nusken’s equaliser was the 100th goal of Euro 2025.

Half-time: France 1-1 Germany

What a dramatic half of football. First Germany were given a red card as Kathrin Hendrich pulled Griedge Mbock’s hair. Then Grace Geyoro scored the resulting penalty but Germany’s Sjoeke Nusken equalised to get her side right back in it. Huge next 45 to come.

45 + 5 min: Some excellent bits of defence from Minge as she stops Katoto from crossing in, it would be a huge blow if France were to score before half-time for the Germans.

45 + 4 min: Diani crosses in and she tries to find Katoto but Knaak does really well to do enough to put her off with the ball out for a goal kick.

45 + 3 min: A beauty of a pass picks out Hoffman, her run is amazing but clashes with Peyraud-Magnin as she looks to try and put Germany ahead. Both players remain down for a while but both are okay to continue.

45 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added.

44 min: Brand gives away another free kick with a foul on Bacha, the Germany star needs to be careful as she is wracking up a fair few fouls at the moment. Bacha takes the set piece but Berger reads well to collect.

42 min: I think Germany will welcome the half time whistle when it comes. They have done really well to get themselves back in this contest but they need the break to talk tactics. Ever since they equalised it has been all France.

NO GOAL! France 1-1 Germany

VAR check it quickly and the offside is confirmed.

GOAL CHECK! France 1-1 Germany

Possession is flying back and forth but it is France who get the next chance. It’s free flowing football and it comes to Cascarino who puts it in the back of the net but the referee says it’s offside.

39 min: Boos rain down from the stands as Brand gives away another free kick but it seems like a soft one for the referee to give. Bacha is over the set piece and it pinballs around after the delivery but it’s cleared.

37 min: A lot of the game being played in France’s attacking half with Kett giving away a free kick. The French have to build from deep here though.

35 min: France quickly win it back and then possession goes back and forth, ending with Diani offside. France come back in but it’s headed clear, Hoffman then wins another free kick as Germany continue their good spell. Kleinherne runs it out of play but the Germans look much more settled now.

33 min: Hoffman is down on the halfway line after a foul from Lakrar, who gives away a free kick. She looks as though she will be okay to continue. Germany take the free kick but they run it back to Berger and so the sting is taken out of the attack.

31 min: Ben Mock has emailed:

First, the blatant handball by Wamser against Sweden. And now this hair pull?? What is with Germany’s inside-the-box discipline at this tournament?

Germany have definitely lost their heads at times this tournament and if they do go through they will need to get their discipline under control. A reminder too that Hendrich will miss the semi-final if Germany progress because of the red card.

29 min: Brand gives away a free kick in a good place for France with a foul on Karchaoui. Cascarino takes it and it comes straight to Berger who collects.

28 min: That goal is exactly what Germany needed. The whole team looked stunned after Hendrich was shown a red card but they kept France at bay and now have got themselves right back in this.

Bühl sent in a pinpoint perfect cross from that corner and Nusken has a bullet header. Wow. What a way to respond to that red card and subsequent penalty. Nusken roars in celebration.

GOAL! France 1-1 Germany (Nusken, 26)

Game on.

Updated

25 min: Diani has a pop at goal but it’s off for a goal kick. The German fans really need to get behind their team now and Hoffman gives them a reason to as she gets into the area and wins a corner.

24 min: If Germany manage to overturn this result it would be a thoroughly impressive feat. But since going down to 10, they have not had many, if any, touches in their attacking half.

22 min: Bacha pops the free kick in and Bühl sees it out for a throw in. Brand does well initially to clear but France win it back and cross to Katoto but Berger collects. I also think Germany may now have no defenders to bring on from the bench with that early change.

20 min: This gets intriguing now of how Germany change their tactics. Another replay of that hair pull has just been shown and it is a sustained pull of the hair, I just cannot believe it. I promise I will move on but I am just so stunned. France now with another free kick, before it is taken Linder is off with Kleinherne on. Linder injured herself earlier in the game.

17 min: A reminder that Germany have a defender suspended with Wamser given a red card last week. Hendrich is now off with her own red card and Linder has her foot heavily strapped. Gwinn is already injured, Germany’s defence is going to be seriously tested.

16 min: This game was one I was excited for to see a battle between two giants in Europe. But that red card has turned this contest on its head. Why has Hendrich done that? I am stunned at the decision to pull Mbock’s hair.

PENALTY! France 1-0 Germany (Geyoro, 15)

Berger is one of the best in the business at saving penalties, can she do it here? She can’t, Geyoro strikes.

Updated

13 min: What was she thinking? Such a clear hair pull. Makes no sense whatsoever.

RED CARD! France 0-0 Germany (Hendrich, 13)

Oh gosh, Hendrich is off and it’s a penalty. It was a clear hair pull on Mbock.

Updated

13 min: Oh wait, there’s a red card check here. I’m unsure what it’s for yet, here’s a replay. It’s for a hair pull from Hendrich. The referee is now being called over, this doesn’t look good for Germany.

Updated

12 min: Minge leaves an impact on Karchaoui and the French have a free kick as a result. Bacha takes the set piece and Katoto gets a header but it’s well wide.

10 min: Germany have the first chance with a great run down the left but her cross is put wide by Brand. Linder has now come back onto the pitch.

9 min: Diani has a great run despite having German pressure but after she passes Germany can collect and clear. Both teams displaying some great football in the midfield but no clear cut chances yet. Germany remain with 10 players as Linder is still being strapped.

7 min: Linder is having strapping applied to her foot on the sidelines right now but she hasn’t been replaced, so she will shortly rejoin the game I think. German fans will be pleased to see Linder back to her feet, the team do not need any more defensive injuries after captain Gwinn has already been ruled out.

Updated

5 min: Tor Turner has emailed:

Coming at you live from Basel stadium. Lots of neutral Brits in the crowd but the crowd sentiment - including from the Brits after that group stage defeat - is very much behind Germany. You definitely cannot miss the very sizeable French contingent in the crowd though.

Here at St Jakob stadium it’s a steady diet of bratwurst and beer. We’re in a city located on the border of both France and Germany which means this crowd is *massive*. I can barely see an empty seat.

Predictions - sadly 2-0 France from me. Germany don’t seem to have any right backs left. I’d love to see them do it though.

Should be an excellent game no matter what though!

Excellent snack game at the stadium and I have to agree, I think France will go through tonight. Back on the pitch and Linder is down and injured. She receives treatment and is okay to continue.

4 min: Germany look to strike early but France’s defence don’t panic and handle the attack well. A lot of midfield battles so far.

2 min: Commentator's suggesting Germany are in a back four, rather than the presumed back five pre-match. Both teams settling into this one.

Kick-off! France 0-0 Germany

So who will play Spain in the semi-final? 90 minutes and potentially a little bit more plus penalties will answer that one for us.

Updated

David from Erlangen in Germany has emailed:

I‘m having a Münchner Hofbräu on our terrace and am heading inside now to watch the game!

That sounds like a perfect way to prep for a game. Any nerves for this one? France look the more clinical team but Germany are eight-time champions for a reason.

The players are out and the anthems will soon be in full flow. Who will come out on top in this one? Just a few minutes away from kick-off now.

I’d love to hear from you. I usually start a bit of snack chat on my blogs so hit me with your weird and wild choices. I have gone very simple today with salted popcorn. Send yours in over email.

Christian Wück, Germany coach, added:

All of us, from the players to the coaches, are all very much looking forward to it. I think everyone is aware of the fact that they [France] are very well equipped to attack, not only with those who start but also who comes off the bench. They are incredibly capable, incredibly speedy and we need to adjust ourselves to that and be prepared. But we also know that we have the same strengths.

Laurent Bonadei, France coach, said:

This is a new summit, a new challenge. After England and the Netherlands, here comes Germany. They are a benchmark opponent. But it’s also a fantastic opportunity to grow. I scheduled a tough match against Brazil just before the finals precisely to prepare for this type of encounter. It’s in these big moments that we see if we’ve taken the next step. And our young players need that.

This is a stat French fans will hope their team will be able to overturn. France have never beaten Germany at a women’s major tournament before. 11 games, 11 defeats.

Updated

If you want to know more about each team the Guardian have you covered with these guides:

And for Germany, here’s who you should keep an eye on:

Here are some stars you should watch out for in the French team this evening:

The team news is in. France have made four changes to their starting XI who beat the Netherlands 5-2 last time out.

France: Peyraud-Magnin; De Almeida, Mbock Bathy, Lakrar, Bacha; Geyoro, Jean-Francois, Karchaoui; Cascarino, Katato, Diani

Subs: Lerond, Picaud, Samoura, Sombath, Toletti, Malard, Majri, Mateo, Gago, Baltimore, N’Dongala, Bogaert

Germany, meanwhile, make three changes as Kathrin Hendrich comes in for Carlotta Wamser who drops out the team because of her red card against Sweden. Gionvanna Hoffman starts ahead of Lea Schuller and Laura Freigang drops to the bench for Franziska Kett.

Germany: Berger; Linder, Hendrich, Minge, Knaak, Kett; Brand, Senß, Nusken, Buhl; Hoffman

Subs: Johannes, Mahmutovic, Gwinn, Lohmann, Freigang, Schüller, Däbritz, Zicai, Cerci, Dallmann, Kleinherne.

Updated

France have always has a star studded side but they have continually struggled in the latter half of major tournaments. In Euro 2022 they reached the Euros semi-finals for the first time but they were knocked out by – yes you guessed it – their opponents this evening.

Here’s a great read on the game we are about to watch:

Sweden’s Smilla Holmberg missed the nation’s final penalty which sent England through but she has been well supported by her teammates and the wider football world. Her father told Swedish outlet P4:

She received a text message from Zlatan Ibrahimović this morning, one of her great role models.

England had to put out a scrappy comeback to overcome Sweden in the quarter-final. The Lionesses will play Italy in the semi-final on Tuesday and here is defender’s Esme Morgan’s assessment of where the team are:

Whoever wins tonight will face favourites Spain in the semi-final after they overcame hosts Switzerland last night. Here’s how that game went:

Preamble

Hello and welcome to the final quarter-final of Euro 2025 between France and Germany. This game is set to be an absolute belter.

France finished the group stage with three wins from three which was thoroughly impressive as they found themselves in the group of death with England, the Netherlands and Wales.

Germany, meanwhile, dispatched of Poland and Denmark in their group but fell to a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sweden last time out. It will be interesting to see how the Germans bounce back and how this one shakes out.

The team news is set to be announced around 6.45pm BST but before that we will look at what has been said in the build-up and what is happening across the tournament.

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