STORY: German soccer fans celebrated on Saturday (July 19) night their victory on the quarter-finals against France in the Women’s Euro.

Ann-Katrin Berger pulled off a stunning final save as Germany beat France 6-5 in a penalty shootout to set up a Euro 2025 semi-final showdown with world champions Spain following a bruising encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time.

“They only played with ten players. So now they did so great," said German fan Aileen after leaving the stadium.

The Germans pulled off a superb comeback from a goal down and a straight red card for defender Kathrin Hendrich after 13 minutes, battling their way back into the game and eventually getting the better of their opponents in a thrilling shootout.

The game went to penalties, and Berger got the shootout off to a great start for the Germans by saving from Amel Majri, but they were brought back to level pegging when Sara Daebrtiz struck her spot kick off the crossbar and over the goal.

They will face Spain on Wednesday, a day after England face Italy in the other semi-final.

French soccer fans, meanwhile, were disappointed after missing the chance to reach the final.

"They had a lot of possession but that's the way it is. Penalties are a matter of chance," said French fan Francois Klein.

In their last nine major tournaments since Euro 2013, Les Bleues have only made it past the quarter-finals once: at the previous Euro in 2022, when they were beaten 2-1 by Germany.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: BASEL, SWITZERLAND (JULY 20, 2025) (REUTERS-Access all)

1. GERMANY FAN WAVING GERMANY FLAG AND WOMEN’S EUROS SIGN AT TRAM STOP

2. VARIOUS OF GERMANY FANS WAVING GERMAN FLAGS

3. GERMAN FANS CHEERING AND CELEBRATING WHILE LEAVING STADIUM

4. GERMAN FANS LEAVING AND CHEERING

5. GERMAN FAN SAYING “EXCELLENT” AND CARRYING BIG GERMAN FLAG

6. GERMAN FANS CARRYING GERMAN FLAGS AND WALKING TOWARDS TRAM

7. GERMAN FANS CELEBRATING

8. SOCCER FANS LEAVING STADIUM

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMANY SOCCER FAN AILEEN SAYING:

“It was great. Because, like, after win and everything the whole game, they played only ten players. And then even before the other game, they only played with ten players. So now they did so great and they weren't even like, it wasn't the whole team, so great.”

10. PEOPLE QUEUING TO TAKE TRAM

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMANY SOCCER FAN VASILII SAYING:

“It was hard. But we trusted in Germany and they played very well. So, congratulation to the team. We will win the final.”

12. GERMAN FANS LEAVING STADIUM AND CHEERING WITH GERMAN FLAGS

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GERMANY SOCCER FAN NIKOLAUS NETZER SAYING:

“It's still difficult with Spain but now they have a lot of psychological power. The first time Germany had a really good defense, throughout all game, crazy.”

14. VARIOUS OF GERMAN FANS WITH GERMAN FLAGS PAINTED ON FACE / FANS SAYING “Happy, always happy”

15. GERMAN FAN WAITING FOR TRAM

16. (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMANY SOCCER FAN TOM BAECHLE SAYING:

"A fantastic game with a great ending. The team put up a great fight, earned their luck and were lucky to win."

17. FRENCH SOCCER FAN PASSING BY AND SAYING “WHAT A DAY”

18. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE SOCCER FAN FRANCOIS KLEIN SAYING:

“So we're a bit disappointed after this game because it was very well played. They had a lot of possession but that's the way it is. Penalties are a matter of chance and the Germans have won, our congratulations to them.”

19. GERMANY SOCCER FANS WEARING HATS WITH GERMAN COLOURS AND PEOPLE LEAVING STADIUM

20. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE SOCCER FAN LUIGI MASSE SAYING:

“Proud of the girls, they played really well. We lost on penalties, but they played a great game. We were unlucky, that's how it is. Well done girls! That's all I can say.”

21. FRENCH FAN CARRYING FLAG LEAVING STADIUM

22. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FRANCE SOCCER FAN GWEN FAY SAYING:

“It was a bummer of course. It was sad but it was really good game and it was also just so great that so many people come out for women's football. It's something I didn't have when I was a child, and I'm so happy that my girls get to do that for.”

23. FRENCH FANS LEAVING STADIUM

24. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LEAVING STADIUM

25. PEOPLE WAITING TO TAKE TRAM