Our 3️⃣ points after Germany set Euro 2022 final with England | OneFootball

Germany will meet England in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley on Sunday after overcoming France in a tense semi-final encounter in Milton Keynes.

Here is what we made of it.

Top of the Popps

Alexandra Popp put in a true captain’s performance to lead her country into Sunday’s final.

The Wolfsburg forward had already scored in every game going into tonight and equalled Michel Platini’s European Championship record for scoring in consecutive games (five), set in 1984 with an exquisite first-half volley.

She had tested France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud Magnine earlier on with a free-kick from the edge of the box before breaking the deadlock in the two biggest moments of quality in the first half.

Kadidiatou Diani’s powerful effort rebounded off the back of Merle Frohms to pull France level and stun Germany with the last kick of the opening 45 minutes when almost everyone inside stadium MK except Diani had accepted the Germans were going in ahead.

That was a moment that could’ve rocked Popp and her team but they came out from the break and dominated possession in search of restoring their lead.

Les Blues threatened on the break enough to make the second half a real end-to-end, thrilling encounter but there could only be one winner – and it was Popp.

The 31-year-old rose highest than everyone else inside a crowded penalty area to power a header enough to almost burst the back of the net and with it send Germany through to a European Championships final for the ninth time.

A real leader.

Zero to hero

Merle Frohms won’t forget tonight in a hurry.

She’s been on the receiving end of that metaphorical headache they call an emotional rollercoaster and thankfully for the Wolfsburg goalkeeper, she landed on the positive side.

Frohms could do nothing about Diani’s shot deflected back off her and into the net but at a time where Germany felt comfortably ahead, it felt like the incident could have a seismic effect on the outcome of the match.

But it was the 27-year-old’s input in the second half which could have had an even bigger impact.

The shot-stopper produced a remarkable and instinctive save with her feet to keep out Wendie Renard’s header at the back post after a corner had found the French defender unmarked.

She then denied out Diani’s powerful low effort from close range with her feet again moments later as France looked to have found the energy to go on to win the game, and if it wasn’t for those brilliant saves perhaps Die Nationalelf wouldn’t be heading to Wembley on Sunday.

Wembley awaits

England v Germany to fight it out for the European Championship final at Wembley.

An event that feels like it appeals to the traditionalists, the purists, the casuals and everyone in between.

There can be no real argument on reflection about the two teams that have made it through to the showpiece event this weekend.

Germany had the perfect record going into tonight, having not even conceded a goal and technically an opposition player still hasn’t beat Merle Frohms.

While England 19 goals is the highest at the tournament, as they have progressed in some style.

Beth Mead and Popp go into the game eyeing up the Golden Boot both on six goals.

Then there’s the small case of the battle between Keira Walsh v Lena Oberdorf in midfield.

This is going to be some event.