Women's World cup 2015: Germany secure victory against France through penalty shootout, move on to semis

Germany eliminated France and booked their slot in the Women’s World Cup semifinals, 5-4 in the penalty kick tiebreaker after a 1-1 draw. Germany scored all five of their penalty kick attempts, while France’s Claire Lavogez had the final attempt well saved by Nadine Angerer. Germany will now face the winner of the USA-China quarterfinal match.

It was a game considered to be worthy of a final by many and it lived up to the billing really. This was a fast and technically adept match that showcased the best of the women’s game, and both teams showed why so many people feel the winner of the World Cup will come out of this game.
"Everyone says, 'You had a great game. You are at the level of Germany,' But we lost," France coach Philippe Bergeroo said. ''So what matters is to learn, to learn that to dominate doesn't mean that you'll win. They need to learn what will allow them to win games in the future.''

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Both teams had enjoyed torrid runs: The French, after being upset by Colombia in the group stage, had recovered their form to make the quarters with ease at the expense of South Korea; Germany steamrolled Sweden to continue what seemed an inexorable march to the finals. But history also loomed as Les Bleues had never managed to beat Germany in a competitive match, with the memory of a stinging 4-2 defeat in the 2011 Cup clearly in front of their minds. Necib’s goal broke the game open in the second half which was just the reward for France’s domination. Collecting a long outlet, Delie laid the ball off for Necib, who took a touch, picked her spot and blew a shot in past Angerer to the far post. The strike might have taken the slightest of touches off Annike Krahn, but Angerer had no chance on the shot regardess. The Germans would eventually claw back to take this one into extra-time when Laudehr fired in a cross with five to play in regulation that caught Majri on the shoulder, only to see Chenard the Canadian centre refree of the game point to the spot. The French protested to no avail, while Sasic stepped up to the spot and slotted home the penalty to tie things up.