Germany 2-0 Austria: The eight-time champions reach the semi-finals

Germany booked their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s European Championship with victory over Austria at Brentford’s Community Stadium.

It was a tighter game than many would have expected as Germany faced their biggest test yet in their quest for a record ninth European title.

Klara Buhl released the ball from an Austrian defense and crossed into the box where Alexandra Popp, with her fourth goal in four games, unselfishly laid the ball on to the onrushing Lina Magull who scored to open the marker

Popp got her moment in the final minutes of the game when Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger’s attempt to play from the back was backfired and Popp placed a boot into the net.

The Wolfsburg striker has scored in four consecutive Euro games, equaling Heidi Mohr’s record from 1989-1993, and moves within a goal of England’s Beth Mead in the battle for the Boot of Gold

“It was a very intense game – it was very difficult to play against Austria. I’m happy to finish with my fourth goal and happy and proud of the team,” Popp said.

“In the beginning we weren’t the top favorites and now we’ve shown the whole world where we are. I think team spirit is very important for us and that’s where we’re so strong and hopefully history won’t done. done.”

Despite racking up 117 international caps, this is Popp’s first European tournament since returning from a long-term injury that kept her out for 10 months in the build-up to the competition.

“I had a really hard time last year [with injury] – I am very grateful to be here. I’m free, I feel good and I can help my team,” he said.

“We are very happy to have many fans here. We need the spirit, the support and this is a very good feeling. We also feel the support of Germany: we will give everything to reach the final.”

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side benefited from an element of luck against Austria but will have plenty of work to do before they face France or Holland in the semi-final in Milton Keynes next Wednesday.

Germany is not without flaws

On paper it looks like Germany’s journey to Euro 2022 has been smooth sailing. And so far, it has been.

They had plenty of chances to extend their 1-0 lead, with Buhl wide when faced with an open net after turning away a shot from distance, and Popp a persistent threat.

But their 100% clean sheet at the tournament – the only team left with such a return – flatters their occasional defensive frailty as Germany struggled to assert the dominance they showed in the group stage and Austria lost great opportunities to tie at 1. -0.

Austria, participating in only their second Euros, were surprise semi-finalists in 2017 but lost out on a place in the final to Denmark.

Irene Fuhrmann’s side have been unlucky, hitting the woodwork three times and putting their home rivals under more pressure than any other team so far.

“It’s a tough time right after the game,” he said. “When we look back, the team can be very proud of how they played, not only today, but throughout the tournament. We demanded everything from Germany.”

These were only the second and third goals Austria have conceded in this tournament – their first coming against England – but they have also conceded just three goals and poor decision-making in the final third has cost them.

Despite having won the title on eight of the 12 occasions they have played at the Euros, Germany did not enter this tournament as favourites.

They lifted the trophy six times in a row between 1995 and 2013, but their bid for a seventh consecutive title ended with a shock quarter-final defeat to eventual runners-up Denmark in 2017.

The absence of injured Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan and Chelsea’s Melanie Leupolz, who announced her pregnancy in March, made it hard to know what to expect, but they seem to have grown as a team throughout the tournament.

Player of the match

MakasLisa Makas

Germany

1. Team Number 2 Player NameKleinherne

2. Team Number 8 Player Name Lohmann

3. Team Number 15 Player Name Gwinn

4. Team Number 6 Player Name Oberdorf

5. Team Number 5Player Name Hegering

6. Squad Number 11 Player Name Popp

7. Team number 20Player name Magull

8. Team Number 17 Player Name Rauch

9. Team number 13 Player name Däbritz

10. Team number 19 Player name Bühl

11. Team Number 4Player Name Lattwein

12. Team Number 9 Player NameHuth

13. Team Number 3Player NameHendrich

14. Team Number 1 Player NameFrohms

15. Squad number 16 Player name Dallmann

16. Team Number 22 Player NameBrand

Austria

1. Team Number 20Player Name Makas

2. Team Number 8 Player Name Dunst

3. Team number 18 Player name Hickelsberger-Füller

4. Team number 14 Player name Höbinger

5. Team number 15 Player name Billa

6. Team Number 9 Player Name Zadrazil

7. Team number 10 Player name Feiersinger

8. Team Number 19 Player Name Hanshaw

9. Team Number 3 Player Name Naschenweng

10. Team number 2Name of the playerGeorgieva

11. Team Number 7 Player Name Wenninger

12. Team number 17 Player name Puntigam

13. Squad number 12 Player name Wienroither

14. Team Number 1 Player Name Zinsberger

alignments

Germany

Formation 4-3-3

1 From

15Gwinn3Hendrich5Hegering17Rauch

20Magull6Oberdorf13Däbritz

9Huth11Popp19Bühl

• 1 From
• 15 Gwinn
• 3Hendrich
• 5 Hegering
• 17Rauch Replaced by Kleinherneat 90+5’minutes
• 20 Magull Replaced by Dallmannat 64 minutes
• 6 Oberdorf
• 13 DäbritzBooked at 59 minutesReplaced by Lattweinat in the 64th minute
• 9Huth Replaced by Lohmannat 90+4’minutes
• 11 doll
• 19Bühl Substituted for Brandat 83 minutes

Substitutes

• 2 Kleinherne
• 4 wine latte
• 7 students
• 8 Lohmann
• 10 Freigang
• 14 Anyomi
• 16 Dallmann
• 18 Wassmuth
• 21 Berger
• 22 Mark
• 23 Doorsoun

Austria

Formation 4-1-4-1

1 Zinsberger

12Wienroither7Wenninger2Georgieva19Hanshaw

17 Puntigam

18Hickelsberger-Füller9Zadrazil10Feiersinger8Dunst

15 Billa

• 1 Zinsberger
• 12Wienreuther
• 7 Wenninger
• 2 Georgieva
• 19 HanshawBooked 45 minutes away
• 17 Puntigam Substituted for Höbingerat in the 81st minute
• 18 Hickelsberger-Füller Replaced by Naschenwengat 72′ minutesBooked 90 minutes
• 9 Zadrazil
• 10 Feiersinger
• 8 fogBooked at 85 minutes
• 15Billa Replaced by Makasat 86 minutes

Substitutes

• 3 Naschenweng
• 4 Decen
• 5 Schasching
• 6 Schiechtl
• 11 Schnaderbeck
• 13 Kirchberger
• 14 Höbinger
• 16 Eder
• 20 Makas
• 21 Nursery
• 22 Enzinger
• 23 Pal

Referee: Rebecca Welch

Attendance: 16,025

Live text

1. End of match, Germany 2, Austria Women 0.

2. End of second half, Germany 2, Austria Women 0.

3. Change, Germany. Sophia Kleinherne replaces Felicity Rauch.

4. Change, Germany. Sydney Lohmann replaces Svenja Huth

5. Katharina Naschenweng (Austria Women) has been shown a yellow card for dangerous play.

6. Merle Frohms (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

7. Foul by Katharina Naschenweng (Austria Women).

8. failed attempt Attempt missed. Katharina Naschenweng (Austria Women) left footed shot from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Marie-Therese Höbinger.

9. Goal! Germany 2, Austria Women 0. Alexandra Popp (Germany) left footed shot from the center of the box to the center of the goal.

10. failed attempt Attempt missed. Linda Dallmann (Germany) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assist by Felicitas Rauch after taking a foul.

11. Marina Hegering (Germany) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

12. Foul by Lisa Makas (Austria Women).

13. Change, Austria Women. Lisa Makas replaces Nicole Billa

14. Barbara Dunst (Austria Women) has been shown a yellow card for dangerous play.

15. Jule Brand (Germany) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

16. Missing Barbara Dunst (Austria Women).

17. Change, Germany. Jule Brand replaces Klara Bühl.

18. failed attempt Attempt missed. Klara Bühl (Germany) left footed shot from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alexandra Popp.

19. Change, Austria Women. Marie-Therese Höbinger replaces Sarah Puntigam.

20. failed attempt Attempt missed. Alexandra Popp (Germany) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Merle Frohms.