England will face GERMANY in Sunday’s Euro 2022 final after two ruthlessly-finished goals from Alexandra Popp saw the eight-time champions beat France 2-1 in Milton Keynes
- Germany made the better start with Alexandra Popp opening the scoring
- An unfortunate Merle Frohms own goal levelled the scores minutes later
- Popp then scored again against the run of play in the second half
Germany will play England in the final of Euro 2022 after an 2-1 victory over France last night.
Two goals from Alexandra Popp, who is now level with England’s Beth Mead for the golden boot, saw the eight-time European champions book their place at Wembley.
Popp had given her side the lead in the first half before Kadidiatou Diani’s quick-fire equaliser drew France level before half-time.
Alexandra Popp celebrates scoring their second goal against France on Wednesday night
Popp headed home the winner in the second half to score her second goal of the game
France had chances to go ahead after the break but could not take them and they were punished by a ruthless Popp, who headed in the winner in the 76th minute.
Popp, Popp, who had scored in every game prior, broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when she rifled in Svenja Huth’s cross on the volley.
It was the first time France had gone behind in the tournament but they trailed for just four minutes.
Popp opened the scoring with a lovely finish near the end of the first half in Milton Keynes
The German forward celebrates after breaking the deadlock in the Euro 2022 semi-final
Diani drove forward and let fly from the edge of the box. Her shot hit the post and rebounded off Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms and into the net.
France almost took the lead just past the hour mark with two quick-fire chances. Clara Mateo found space for a shot in the box but Kathrin Hendrich blocked superbly before Wendie Renard had a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner.
France were made to pay for those missed chances as the Huth-Popp combination struck again. Huth stood up a cross to the penalty spot and Popp rose highest to power home.
France defender Wendie Renard looks dejected following the referee’s full-time whistle
Scroll down to see how it all unfolded with Sportsmail’s live runner.
Host commentator
Five minutes of added time.
Dallmann is found in space the area but can’t finish.
She was offside anyway.
Renard wins another header but Frohms claims again.
Miss!
It’s well worked by France as Geyoro plays a one-two with Mateo on the edge of the box. She spins to face goal as Frohms rushes off her line and lifts her shot over the bar just before a belated offside flag goes up.
Bacha strikes one just wide.
Sarr replaces Toletti.
Popp gets her second!
Germany finally get the ball forward and Franc3 look to have dealt with the attack with some last minute challenges.
However, the ball is crossed back in from the right and Popp rises to head home.
What a story.
Gwinn enters the book for a late challenge.
Germany are looking tired.
The free-flowing play of the first half seems a distant memory.
A couple of changes for Germany.
Magull and Dabritz are replaced by Dallmann and Lohmann.
It’s all France now.
Renard wins another head from a corner but can’t direct it on target.
Save!
The croenr reaches Renard at the back post but her header is saved again by Frohms from close range.
Save!
Bacha makes space for him inside the box but hits it straight at the keeper, who parries it behind.
Mateo replaces Cascerino.
Bacha is booked after catching Oberdorf with an arm. Wasn’t much contact in fairness.
A couple of really strong challenges from France at the start of the half.
France are moving the ball around a lot quicker at the start of the second half and Geyoro tries to pick out Bacha. She gets sandwiched between two defenders though and can’t do anything with it.
An early effort from Germany as Popp hits the side netting from an angle.
We’re back underway.
Malard is the player that’s made way, with Bacha replacing her.
Out of nowhere, France are level!
Diani lets fly from jus outside the box and the ball comes back of the upright.
Goalkeeper Frohms had dived for it and the ball proceeds to hit her and bounce back into the net.
Popp gives Germany the lead!
It’s a lovely goal too as she gets ahead of her marker to meet a cross from the right and volley home.
A deserved lead.
France still struggling to get out of their own half but they’re still limiting germany in the final third.
Karchaoui is played into trouble by Cascarino, as Popp is chasing the defender down. She’s tracking back towards goal, and just manages to squeeze her clearance past the forward and into Geyoro.
No penalty.
Magull went down under pressure from Renard in the area but she made the most of it.
Correct decision.
Penalty check…
Germany ramping up the pressure now. France still defending well though.
Great save!
A fine strike from Popp but Peyraud-Magnin gets across well to tip it wide.
Toletti is booked for bringing down Brand just outside the box. Dangerous position for a free-kick too…
Free-kick in a dangerous position for Germany as Huth is brought down just outside the box on the left.
The ball is then whipped straight into the keeper’s hands.
France are happy to just let Germany keep possession at the moment. They’re closing down the space ahead of them and making it difficult for them to find a way forward.
Keeper Magnin does really well to come out quickly and prevent Magull latching on to a through ball.
61 per cent of the ball for Germany. France with the only shot so far and it was blocked on the edge of the area.
Fairly slow start to the game. Both sets of fans now trying to get their sides going.
Risky challenge in the area from Germany but they get away with it.
An early ball is hit towards Popp in the area but France deal with it well.
We’re underway!
💪 Warm-ups ✔️
Semi-final no.2⃣ coming up next! #WEURO2022 | #GER | #FRA pic.twitter.com/ifUrNQjBeI
𝑨𝑹𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝒀? 🥳
Kick-off is 30 minutes away…⌛#WEURO2022 | #GER | #FRA pic.twitter.com/lPmfAUc2Eb
Not long until the semi-final gets underway.
👋 #WEUROarrivals 𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐨𝐧…
Germany & France are in the house ✨ #WEURO2022 | @JustEatTakeaway pic.twitter.com/LcVsyYT7wH
France XI: Peyraud-Magnin, Karchaoui, Renard, Mbock Bathy, Perisset, Toletti, Bilbault, Geyoro, Cascarino, Malard, Diani.
Subs: Chavas, Lerond, Palls, Tourrent, Tounkara, Mateo, Bacha, Dall, Baltimore, Sarr, Cissoko.
Germany XI: Frohms, Rauch, Hegering, Hendrich, Gwinn, Dabritz, Oberdorf, Magull, Brand, Popp, Huth.
Subs: Berger, Kleinherne, Lattwein, Schuller, Lohmann, Freigang, Anyomi, Dallmann, Wassmuth, Doorsoun.
And welcome to Sportsmail’s live coverage of Germany vs France.
A place in the final against England is up for grabs.
Team news coming soon with kick-off at 8pm.
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