The German women’s national team defeated France 2-1 in their Euro 2022 semi-final on Wednesday, advancing to the final against England at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
A confident England squad will face an eight-time European champion Germans in the second semi-final, which will be played at Wembley on Tuesday.
Following an extended period of injury problems, Popp commented after the game, “We played a tremendous game and poured everything in.”
“We’re ecstatic; no one anticipated us to be this joyful” (to do it). The final versus England at Wembley couldn’t get much better.
All of the games gave us the courage to believe in ourselves.” According to the woman, “The crew is absolutely fantastic; they’re there for me and are delighted for me after my entire journey of suffering.”
Popp put Germany ahead in the 40th minute with a precise goal after sliding in from the left to meet a lovely cross from Svenja Huth.
Kadidiatou Diani’s powerful shot on the turn bounced against the post and went in off the back of Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms to tie the score at 1-1 less than four minutes later.
After the interval, France had the better opportunities, but they couldn’t get past the German defence.
In the second half, Diani provided the assist for Selma Bacha’s goal-bound effort, which was blocked by Kathrin-Julia Hendrich, and Wendie Renard’s header at the back post was brilliantly saved by Frohms.
Next, the vivacious Diani intercepted a sloppy back pass and charged forward, but Frohms saved her low drive from a tight angle.
Popp scored her sixth goal in five games in the competition in the 76th minute with a powerful header from a Huth cross.
A desperation-filled attempt from Bacha and another from Clara Mateo went just wide as France kept up the pressure.
If England are going to win their first European women’s football championship against the nation that has dominated the sport for so long, they’ll need a means to stop Popp.
Despite their impressive performances, the French squad was left to mourn the opportunities they couldn’t take advantage of.
This was not a surprise since we anticipated Germany would be a formidable opponent with a high level of energy. Like us, they were efficient.
Efficiency was the only thing that was lacking.” We will not throw away anything. Nobody expected us to even make it to the semi-finals of the competition. The next time around, it’ll be for keeps. Having a strong belief in yourself and never giving up are two must-haves.
