France’s shock comes too late
DFB women are trembling into the Nations League final for the first time
October 28, 2025, 11:06 p.m
Despite the late shock: the DFB women advance to the final of the Nations League against France. A 2:2 (1:1) draw in the second leg was enough for national coach Christian Wück’s team – but things got off to the worst possible start.
After an early deficit and some wild exchanges of blows, the German footballers fought their way into the Nations League final for the first time. The selection of national coach Christian Wück came to a 2:2 (1:1) in France after the 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final and is now challenging the world champions from Spain in the new edition of the European Championship semi-final.
Tore: 1:0 Malard (3rd), 1:1 Anyomi (12th), 1:2 Bühl (50th), 2:2 Mateo (89th)
France: Square (63. Samoura), Lakar – Karchaoui, Geyoro, Jean-Francois – Cascarino (63. Diani), Baltimore (83. Feller), Malarard (63. Mateo); – Trainer: Bond.
Deutschland: Johannes – Gwinn, Minge, Küver (58th Hendrich), Kett (58th Cerci) – Senß (Lohmann), Nüsken – Wamser, Brand (90th + 5), Bühl – Anyomi (77th Schüller); – Coach: Wück.
Referee: Frida Klarlund (Denmark)
Yellow cards: Bacha, Engineer-Francois – Gwin
Viewers: 18.112 (in Caen)
Nicole Anyomi (12th) and Klara Bühl (50th) hit back, Stina Johannes made strong saves in goal after Melvine Malard (3rd) caught the DFB team off guard right at the start at the Stade Michel-d’Ornano. Clara Mateo (89th) equalized shortly before the end. Germany will play in the final on November 28th in Kaiserslautern, the second leg will take place on December 2nd in Spain. The European vice-champions, who had shattered Germany’s dream of winning the European Championship, also won 1-0 (0-0) in Sweden after the 4-0 gala in the first leg.
Four days after the excess of opportunities in the first leg in Düsseldorf, Wück relied on continuity and only changed his starting eleven in one position. After serving the yellow card suspension, vice-captain Janina Minge moved into central defense for Kathrin Hendrich. The goal: “That we repeat the performance from the first leg without any further changes,” said Wück on ZDF, and: “That we get through in 90 minutes.”
First the blow in the neck, then the dream goal
But instead of stability, there was an early blow in the neck: Minge couldn’t stop Selma Bacha, Camilla Küver, who seemed nervous in front of the goal, lost her balance while pulling on her jersey – and Malard headed in from close range. Although the lead quickly disappeared, the German team soon recovered.
And was promptly rewarded with the first completion. Based on work from Jule Brand, Anyomi shook off defender Maelle Lakrar with a turn and hit the corner with a precise left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker, who missed the European Championships in the summer due to knee problems, scored her third goal in her 29th international match.
But then France increased the pressure again. Johannes, representing the injured European Championship heroine Ann-Katrin Berger in the German goal, prevented Sakina Karchaoui (22nd), Malard (32nd) and Delphine Cascarino (43rd) from conceding the next goal. At times the ball even found its way into the net, but Cascarino’s goal (38′) didn’t count because it was offside.
After the break, the guests appeared more stable – and this time they quickly scored their first effective goal. Bühl shot with his left from a tight angle and the ball rushed off the bottom edge of the crossbar into the goal for Pauline Peyraud-Maignan. In the 69th minute, Anyomi was already celebrating the preliminary decision – but after a VAR check, her goal didn’t count because provider Bühl was offside.
