Germany's women's national soccer team defeated France 1-0 in the Nations League semi-final first leg. Klara Bühl scored the decisive goal in the 79th minute. The victory was dedicated to injured teammates Giovanna Hoffmann and Lena Oberdorf.
In the home match in Düsseldorf, the DFB team under coach Christian Wück dominated for long stretches and squandered numerous chances that could have led to a 4-1 scoreline. Bühl cut inside dynamically and struck powerfully before rushing to the bench to swap jerseys with the injured Hoffmann and Oberdorf, who suffer from ACL tears.
Wück made changes: Carlotta Wamser moved forward, Jule Brand to the center, and Nicole Anyomi started up front. Goalkeeper Ann-Kathrin Berger was absent due to knee issues; Stina Johannes made saves against Delphine Cascarino (21st minute), Marie-Antoinette Katoto (34th), and Melvine Malard (73rd). Camilla Küver debuted defensively, bringing aerial dominance with her height of 1.82 to 1.84 meters.
Sjoeke Nüsken was the pivot between defense and attack, despite a cut over her eye, and missed chances (55th, 69th). Anyomi also failed (57th, 3rd). On her 21st birthday, Franziska Kett was frustrated by a missed penalty (6th), which Wück attributed to the VAR.
In the previous EM quarterfinal, Kathrin Hendrich received a red card. Wück praised the team but critiqued Bühl: "For a player of her class, not enough is jumping out at the moment." Still: "The goal gives her tremendous momentum." The return leg follows on Tuesday in Caen.