Women’s Euro: beaten by Germany, the French team is eliminated at the gates of the final


Thibault Nadal with AFP
modified to

11:11 p.m., July 27, 2022

Les Bleues have seen their dream of a title fly away again, overwhelmed by the Germans (2-1) more efficient and carried by the momentum of their history, Wednesday in the semi-finals of the Euro in Milton Keynes, a new beginning or a setback for a talented generation. Stunned, hands on hips, the French had their heads down at the final whistle, when the Germans let their joy burst, arms in the air.

Objective achieved according to the president of the FFF

The France team fails at the gates of the final, as at the 2011 World Cup in Germany and at the 2012 Olympics in London, and it will bring its regrets home, after having failed in the game and disillusioned in its ambitions. Sunday (6:00 p.m.) at Wembley, the shock promises to be exciting between conquering Germans and unleashed Lionesses, carried by their supporters and their clear and flawless victory against the Swedes (4-0) on Tuesday in the first semi-final.

Les Bleues are falling from above and they must put their hopes on future tournaments: the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and Euro-2025, which the French Federation of football would like to organize. Its president Noël Le Graët had set the “last square” as the objective to be achieved for coach Corinne Deacon, whose contract is coming to an end, and her word will necessarily be expected in the hours to come.

The melody of “Sweet Dreams” (sweet dreams) broadcast before the match at Stadium MK will not have brought happiness to the French, who leave England with a bitter taste.

Dangerous French women

In a peak of intensity, hooked and tense, Wendie Renard’s partners suffered as rarely against the compact defense and the tough midfield of the Germans, fluid in transitions, skilful in deflections and dangerous on set pieces.

Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin took shots and saved the day several times, notably on a superb flight after a direct free kick from Alexandra Popp (22nd). She could not do anything, however, when the Wolfsburg striker appeared in front of Eve Perisset to catapult the ball into the back of her net (40th, 1-0).

Renard has rounded up his troops, in a circle, to try to sound the revolt. And this one came from the right foot of Kadidiatou Diani. The PSG winger fired a missile, repelled by the post, but entered Merle Frohms’ cage with the help of the goalkeeper’s back (44th, 1-1)

Tired Blues

The French regained their tone and a little more control in the second half, helped by the entries of jokers Clara Mateo and Selma Bacha, already very prominent during the quarter-final won in extra time against the Netherlands (1-0 ap), outgoing champions. At 21, the second has again shown that she is much more than a replacement. Frohms boxed a first attempt (63rd) from the Lyonnaise, who made a superb recovery from just wide (79th) and found Renard’s header from a corner (64th), pushed back by the goalkeeper.

Alas, Germany for its part did not miss its chance. The stainless Popp punished the Blue with an angry header (76th), validated after using video assistance.

Popp untenable

The story is good for the 31-year-old center forward, absent in 2013 and 2017 through injury, and whose first Euro was still threatened after a serious knee injury in April 2021. The N.11 took advantage of the postponement of the competition for a year, due to the health crisis, to shine: she scored in each match of the English Euro.

With it, Germany can dream of rising to the roof of Europe. The Frauen-Nationalmannschaft gave up their throne in 2017, eliminated in the quarterfinals after winning the previous six editions.





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