Although the French have dominated for most of the game, the Germans found a way to reach the semifinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Celia Sasic tied the game on a penalty late in the second half, the keeper Nadine Angerer then managed the winning stop at the fifth round of the shootout and Germany defeated France 1-1 ( 5-4 dam ) , Friday in the quarterfinals.
“We had to fight in the second half to get into the game and show our character , mentioned Germany coach Silvia Neid. From our perspective, it was not our best game . France is a very good team , very talented, very fast, which controls the ball well. “
In the semifinals on Tuesday in Montreal, Germany will face the United States, which defeated China 1-0 later Friday in Ottawa.
Louisa Necib gave the lead to France in the 64th minute but Sasic tied it in the 84th on a penalty called for following a hand ball in the penalty area. It was Sasic sixth goal of the tournament, a record in the competition.
In the shootout, the first nine players have found the back of the net. To mark to prolong the suspense, Claire saw her shot blocked by Angerer, who dived away to her left to make the stop.
“Our goalkeeping coach often gives me advice , told Angerer . He told me that player strikes more often on the left, the other right. But he also told me to trust my instincts. After that, if I use the information or not is another story! ”
Germany, first in the FIFA rankings and double champion of the tournament, has ended the course of France, placed third in this duel qualified “premature” between two powers.
After the game, the French coach Philippe Bergeroo retreated to the locker room with his arm on the shoulder of Lavogez, inconsolable.
“The penalty miss by Claire is a fact of the game, said Bergeroo. We had three or four chances earlier in the game that should have allowed us to qualify. A missed penalty, it is difficult for her because she is young (21 years), but we will rebound. It’s just football.
“It is a reflection of life, added Bergeroo. You know in life, there are not good things. There are wildly successful, but there is no chess evil. (…) I have always advocated humility. But tonight I think we should advocate dignity. “
Encouraged by most of 24,859 spectators at Olympic Stadium, the French seemed faster, more determined and better organized than the German machine, a little unruly.
A bit like Lavogez, Gaetane Thiney be in want not to have scored in the 117th, when Jessica Houara brought him victory in his foot on a ball that seemed perfect. Thiney was inaccurate, while even Angerer did not follow the game.
“I think the situation to which you refer was offside, said Angerer before learning that it was not. So we were lucky. This is another blow to the French. ”
American unequivocal victory
The Ottawa side, Carli Lloyd scored with a header after a cross from Julie Johnston in the 51st minute and it was enough for the Americans to continue their journey.
The keeper Hope Solo was rarely tested by the Chinese. She had to make only two stops during the meeting, while the US had the 17-6 advantage on shots on goal.
There will therefore be entitled to a clash between the two best teams in the world in the semifinals in Montreal, as the United States is ranked second. The United States (1991 and 1999) and Germany (2003 and 2007) are also the only two nations to have won the Women’s World Cup more than once.