by Johnathan Stack (22/7/22)
Above: Lina Magull celebrates scoring Germany’s opening goal against Austria at Brentford last night. Photo: Euro 2022.
Germany kept their hopes of a ninth European title alive, but they had to do it the hard way in West London. A 2-0 win secured a spot in the semi-finals of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
Goals from Lina Magull and Germany’s player of the tournament thus far, captain Alexandra Popp, were enough to seal a place in the last four.
Popp has now scored in four games in a row during the tournament, equalling Heidi Mohr’s 29-year record of scoring in consecutive matches at a UEFA Women’s European Championship.
Ultimately, Austria were undone by Germany’s impressive pressing game. A long loose ball up field from Austria goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger was regained by Germany who quickly pounced onto the attack with Klara Bühl’s cross perfectly dummied by Popp in the penalty area for Lina Magull to send the ball into the back of the net.
Then a moment to forget in the 90th minute for the Arsenal goalkeeper Zinsberger as her error trying to play the ball out from the back gifted Popp her goal after being closed down.
The Germans were made to work for the quarter-final victory against a valiant Austria side who might count themselves extremely unlucky to lose a game, that they were in right till the very end.
Austria hit the woodwork three times and conjured up some good chances, in what was German shot-stopper Merle Frohms’ busiest games so far but she managed to keep a clean sheet yet again.
Austria just lacked concentration when it mattered the most as for 90% of the game Irene Fuhrmann’s side went toe to toe with the Germans.
The German side showed championship potential in overcoming a very tricky Austria team with a ruthless ability to make chances pay.
Could nine be fine for Germany? As we get well into the busy end of the tournament, all roads lead to Wembley Stadium on 31st July.
Teams: GERMANY (4-3-3): Frohms, Hendrich, Hegering, Oberdorf, Popp(c), Huth, Däbritz, Gwinn, Rauch, Bühl, Magull. Substitutes: Anyomi, Berger, Brand, Dallmann, Doorsoun-Khajeh, Freigang, Kleinherne, Lattwein, Lohmann, Schüller, Waßmuth.
Scorers: Magull 26’, Popp 90’.
AUSTRIA (4-1-4-1): Zinsberger, Georgieva, Wenninger, Dunst, Zadrazil, Feiersinger, Wienroither, Billa, Puntigam, Hickelsberger-Füller, Hanshaw. Substitutes: Degen, Eder, Enzinger, Hobinger, Kirchberger, Kresche, Makas, Naschenweng, Pal, Schasching, Schiechtl, Schnaderbeck.
Attendance: 16,025.
Referee: Rebecca Welch.
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