France & Germany, UEFA Women’s Nations League
Germany with an early cross into the 6, grabbed up by the GK. A well played dummy by France and they are in on goal, the defense gets back and the shot is blocked then off the offensive player for a goal kick. Just beyond the goal area a headed ball just does not have enough on it and it’s into the hands of the GK. The German GK deftly boxes a ball out of play. The ensuing corner is driven in and all the way out on the next touchline, the ball should not hit the ground in the area. Foul from behind and Germany is whistled for it. A ball in from the area is blocked out and away. Great, tight defense takes it away from Germany at the bottom of the center circle. A poor long ball by Germany is lost in their defensive 3rd, bounces around and France again has it. A poor first touch gives Germany back the ball again, a deeper throw in off a defensive play gets them within 20 yards of the goal. Germany with another go on goal is just high and wide. Over the first half hour neither side is able to put their stamp on the game. Huth of Germany cautioned at 39’. DFK from 40 yards, into the area, knocked down, partially cleared then a first time shot finds the lower corner by Diani of France, what a blast. At full time a ball on it’s way to goal is off the back of a Germany player, out for a corner. Sent in again by France blocked over the endline. Punched around and out for a goal kick. At 2:27 of 3’ injury time, a tackle from behind causes a yellow and earns a PK for France. Make no mistake, it as PK worthy. Up comes Karchaui to take the kick she goes left as does the GK but goal, Karchaui, for France.
France with another strike just above the head of the GK who pushes it, akin to volleyball. VAR Check on France at 80’ it did hit her hand by the laws, I don’t understand them I cannot say, it was not intentional, this unnatural position is nonsense. You run with your hands pumping on the side, not behind you, PK is the call. Goal as it is roofed by Ginn of Bayern Munich. I expect a frantic last 10’ or so. At 6’ Toleeti of France carded for a hard slide tackle upending her opponent, just beyond the arc. Put on goal, has it steered away by the GK and it’s a goal kick. The player it went right past on the wall, turned away from it. France takes it to the corner and wins a throw to kill more time 90 seconds in regular time. Beyond extra time and a France player pulled to the floor that ends the game, France is onto the final, following this, their first defeat of Germany in a higher level international meeting. France takes on Spain as Germany goes Dutch.