MATCH REPORT | France 1-1 Germany (5-6 pens): Bleues suffer new heartbreak as wastefulness proves fatal against resilient Germans | OneFootball

Three years after their semi-final showdown, France and Germany once again delivered a tense knockout clash — but once again, it is Les Bleues who come away heartbroken. Despite scoring first and enjoying an extra player for over 100 minutes, France were held to a 1-1 draw before falling short in a dramatic penalty shootout (5-6) in Basel.

The defeat sees Laurent Bonadei’s new-look French side exit Euro 2025 at the quarter-final stage, their dream of a maiden major tournament final once again shattered. Germany, down to 10 players since the 13th minute, join Spain in the final four after surviving relentless French pressure.

Laurent Bonadei’s side were handed a dream start when Sara Hendrich was shown a straight red card for a foul on Griedge Mbock inside the area just 13 minutes in. Grace Geyoro calmly converted the resulting penalty, putting Les Bleues in front and seemingly on course for a long-awaited win over their Euro nemesis.

But Germany responded swiftly. Sjoeke Nüsken powered home a header from a corner on 26 minutes to level the score and deflate the French momentum. Despite enjoying 74% possession, 537 completed passes, and eight shots on target, France were constantly repelled by a defiant German defence and an inspired Merle Frohms replacement, Ann-Katrin Berger.

In the second half, Geyoro thought she had restored France’s lead, stabbing home in the box after a chaotic corner. However, VAR ruled the goal out for offside, with Maëlle Lakrar deemed to have interfered with play. Moments later, Germany were handed a golden chance to take the lead after Sakina Karchaoui fouled Klara Bühl in the box—but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin saved brilliantly from Nüsken’s penalty to keep the French hopes alive.

France reshuffled their attack repeatedly—introducing Sandy Baltimore, Melvine Malard, and Clara Matéo—but struggled to find clarity in the final third. As fatigue set in on both sides, particularly after cramps to Karchaoui and Mbock, the game dragged into extra time. Despite continued domination and a last-gasp strike from Janina Minge deflected narrowly over by Berger, France could not find a winner in regulation time. Their best chance to win it in extra time came when Malard smashed the crossbar in the 120+3rd minute, agonisingly close to a winner.In a shootout laced with tension, Kenza Dali’s early miss was cancelled out when Sara Däbritz hit the bar, giving France hope. But Vicki Becho’s replacement, Jade Le Guilly, missed her sudden-death effort, allowing Sjoeke Nüsken — who had missed a penalty earlier in the match — to seal it for Germany.

GFFN | George Boxall