LONDON, July 27 (Xinhua) — Alexandra Popp’s brace lifted Germany 2-1 over France to reach the Women’s Euro 2022 final in Milton Keynes on Wednesday.
The two teams started the game cautiously until the 22nd minute when Popp tested the French goalkeeper with a free kick. It was again Popp who broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when the German captain received a cross from Svenja Huth and sent it home.
The lead was erased just five minutes later with an own goal from Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms, as Kadidiatou Diani’s shot from outside the penalty area hit the post, bounced off the back of the Wolfsburg goalkeeper and into her net.
France appeared to have found momentum in the second half after they equalised, but Frohm’s brilliant saves kept Germany alive. Popp again combined with Huth to put Germany ahead in the 76th minute with a header and secure a final spot.
With six goals, 31-year-old Popp drew level with England’s Beth Mead to battle for the Golden Boot, matching the record for a single Women’s European Championship held by Germany’s Inka Grings in 2009.
On July 31, eight-time winners Germany face England, who beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalists Sweden 4-0 in the other semi-final on Tuesday, in front of a sell-out crowd.
Source: sn.dk