Germany vs France LIVE: Euro 2022 team news, line-ups and more as England discover final opponents
“It was a party” – France celebrates reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s European Championship
Euro 2022 is drawing to a close with just two matches left to decide who will be the next European Women’s Champions. England booked their place at Wembley last night with a devastating 4-0 win over Sweden but second place in the final is still up for grabs.
Tonight, Germany face France in Milton Keynes with the winner advancing to Sunday’s exhibition match. The Germans are aiming to land a ninth title in the tournament’s history and have won all their matches in this campaign so far. They have kept four clean sheets and remain one of the favorites to go the distance; ending a nine-year wait to add to his roll of honors in this competition.
Their opponents, France, have never before reached the semi-finals of the European Championship but showed their qualities by beating the holders Netherlands in the previous round. They have never been to the final of a major tournament in the history of the women’s team with fourth place at the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics still their best performances. Against the Netherlands, Corinne Diacre’s side squandered good chances to score early on and although they got through that game with the win, they cannot afford to be as sloppy against the eight-time champions this time around.
Follow all the action as Germany take on France in the Euro 2022 semi-finals:
Germany vs France
Warm-up in progress, about 30 minutes left until kick-off.
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 7:26 p.m
Fans are starting to arrive in Milton Keynes
The weather has turned in Milton Keynes and it’s drizzling over fans as they arrive at the stadium ahead of kick-off.
This will be an even match, both teams can win it and the odds of going to extra time are quite favorable. Which sets of supporters will be cheering at the end of the night?
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 7:20 p.m
England captain Leah Williamson focused on finishing the job in the Euro 2022 final
Captain Leah Williamson has stressed England’s focus is on completing their task after the Euro 2022 hosts secured a place in Sunday’s final at Wembley.
After goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby saw them power to a 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden at Bramall Lane, the Lionesses are in their first major tournament final since Euro 2009.
Either Germany or France will be the opponents as they look to get their hands on major silverware for the first time in their history.
Asked about the development England women’s football has had and is working towards a moment like Sunday, Williamson said: “We started a journey and people have changed the game.”
England captain Leah Williamson focused on finishing the job in the Euro 2022 final
The Lionesses face either Germany or France at Wembley on Sunday
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 7:15 p.m
Alessia Russo ‘loves to play football’ amid dream run for Euro 2022
Alessia Russo has spoken of how much she enjoys being on the pitch after her brilliant back-heel in England’s 4-0 Euro 2022 semi-final triumph over Sweden.
Substitute Russo registered the third goal at Bramall Lane in the 68th minute when she headed the ball through Hedvig Lindahl’s legs after the goalkeeper had parried her initial shot.
It was a fourth goal for the Manchester United striker in the Lionesses’ home European Championship campaign, which now concludes with Sunday’s final at Wembley against either Germany or France.
Russo, who is on her first major international tournament and has come off the bench to replace Ellen White in each of England’s five games, said when asked about her confidence: “I love it, so it helps with the confidence.”
Alessia Russo ‘loves to play football’ amid dream run for Euro 2022
The striker has scored four goals in the tournament so far, including a brilliant back-heel in the 4-0 semi-final win over Sweden on Tuesday night
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 7:10 p.m
Beth Mead, Millie Bright and Alessia Russo: Assessing England’s strengths at Euro 2022
England prepare for their first European Championship final since 2009 thanks to a stunning 4-0 win over Sweden at Bramall Lane.
The Lionesses, who have never won the competition, will face either France or Germany in Sunday’s Wembley decider after goals from Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo and Fran Kirby.
Here we pick out three players who have been crucial to the hosts’ Euro 2022 campaign.
Assessing England’s strengths at Euro 2022
The Lionesses will face either France or Germany in Sunday’s Wembley final
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 7:05 p.m
Germany vs France
Just over an hour until kick-off.
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 6:57 p.m
Popp is enjoying appearances in the European Championship 2022
Germany’s captain Alexandra Popp has won a lot with her country. She has received an Olympic gold medal, a Fifa Under-20 World Cup, multiple Uefa Women’s Champions League and Frauen-Bundesliga titles as well as individual honors including 118 caps.
But she has never won the European Women’s Championship.
Popp was sidelined with serious injuries for both the 2013 and 2017 editions of the competition, with a torn ankle ligament and a meniscus problem respectively, then in early 2021 she suffered a potentially career-ending injury when a piece of cartilage broke off inside her knee.
Had the tournament not been postponed until 2022, she would have missed the final for the third consecutive time and after playing Germany’s opening match at Brentford Popp said:
“It was a really special moment because I had the feeling that a lot of people had already written me off,
“I was able to show with my fighting spirit and mentality that I am still a force to be reckoned with. I’m not just here to make up the numbers.”
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 6:52 p.m
Germany vs France: Team changes
Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg makes a forced change as Klara Buhl drops out after testing positive for Covid-19 and Jule Brand comes in to replace her.
France are unchanged from the side that defeated the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 6:47 p.m
Germany vs France: Lineups
Germany XI: Frohms; Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Rauch; Magull, Oberdorf, Dabritz; Huth, Pop, Fire
France XI: Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Mbock Bathy, Renard, Karchaoui; Bailbaut, Toletti, Geyoro; Diani, Mallard, Cascarino
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 6:42 p.m
Germany vs France
France are up against it tonight. Germany have won this tournament a staggering eight times and tonight’s match is the first time Les Bleus have reached the semi-finals.
However, France had won one of their previous nine matches against Germany before winning two of their last three meetings.
A good sign then if they hope to reach Wembley.
Michael JonesJuly 27, 2022 6:40 p.m