Berger’s Brilliance Powers 10-Player Germany to UEFA EURO 2025 Semifinals
Down to 10 players before the 15-minute mark. Facing a tournament favorite in front of a hostile crowd. Clinging on through 120 grueling minutes. And still—somehow—victorious. Germany’s penalty shootout win over France wasn’t just an upset; it was one of the most courageous, unified team performances in EURO history.
It was Ann-Katrin Berger who stood tallest—literally and figuratively. The German keeper made nine saves, scored a penalty herself, and delivered the game-winning stop in the shootout. But this was far from a one-woman show. Every German player emptied the tank, weathering wave after wave of French pressure with discipline and grit.
For France, the result is devastating. With a player advantage for 107 minutes, control of possession, and quality chances throughout, they simply couldn’t finish the job. Germany, meanwhile, march on to the semifinals with momentum, belief—and the best goalkeeper in the tournament.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter-Finals
France 1 – 1 Germany (Germany win 6-5 on penalties)
Scorers:
Geyoro (15’ pen)
Nüsken (25’)
Match Stats:
| France | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 74.4% | 25.6% |
| Shots | 18 | 7 |
| Shots on Target | 9 | 2 |
| Expected Goals | 2.05 | 1.13 |
The Early Red
In just the 11th minute, VAR intervened after an off-the-ball incident during a French free-kick. Replays showed Germany defender Marina Hegering pulling the hair of France’s Griedge Mbock inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty and showed a straight red. Geyoro converted the spot kick—even though Berger got a hand to it—and France led 1-0 against 10 players.
German Steel
Germany responded to adversity with fire. Just 12 minutes later, they equalized from a set piece. Bühl earned a corner, then whipped it in to the near post where Nüsken glanced a header across goal and into the side netting. From there, Germany played compact and smart. France thought they retook the lead in the 40th minute through Cascarino, but she was ruled narrowly offside.
Les Misfortune
France pressed relentlessly but lacked the final pass or finish. Their best moment came in the 57th minute, when Katoto’s header forced a rebound that Geyoro buried—but VAR ruled Lakrar had interfered from an offside position. It was a second gut punch after France had already thought they’d taken control.
Another Missed Opportunity
Incredibly, Germany could have gone ahead themselves. In the 68th minute, Brand was fouled in the box and Nüsken stepped up again—but her penalty was too central, and Peyraud-Magnin saved. It was the 14th missed penalty of the tournament (including shootouts), and wouldn’t be the last of the night.
Germany Saved
As France attacked relentlessly in extra time, Germany dug deeper. The defining moment came in the 103rd minute when a back-header from Minge nearly turned into an own goal. Berger scrambled back and made a gravity-defying save off her own line. Minutes later, Malard’s 30-yard rocket hit the crossbar. Somehow, Germany held on.
The Shootout
Unlike the chaotic England-Sweden shootout, this one was mostly flawless. Berger saved from Majri; Däbritz hit the bar. After four penalties each, it was 3-3. Then Berger converted her own penalty, Bühl and N’Dongala traded makes, and Nüsken scored her second try. When Sombath stepped up and shot too centrally, Berger made the save—and VAR upheld it. Germany had done the impossible.
A Word on Berger
Ann-Katrin Berger’s performance will go down as one of the greatest ever by a goalkeeper at the Euros. Just two years ago, she was recovering from thyroid cancer for the second time. Today, she is the heartbeat of Germany’s semifinal run, and living proof of her own tattooed mantra: “All we have is now.”
Next Fixtures – Semifinals
Italy vs England
Spain vs Germany
