Germany 2-0 Austria: Martina Voss-Tecklenburg's side make semi-finals with hard-fought win

Germany’s class shone through as they saw off a resilient Austria to claim their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2022 in front of 16,000 supporters at Brentford. Lina Magull’s first-half effort gave Die Nationalelf the lead and Alexandra Popp added an unconventional second in added-time as Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side sealed their spot in the final four where they will meet either Netherlands or France on Wednesday.

Ad/> Austria — the tournament’s surprise package — will count themselves mightily unfortunate, however, as they were denied by the woodwork three times as they desperately tried to breach a Germany defence that had yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Euro 2022Dominant Germany hit three past Finland to extend perfect win record16/07/2022 AT 18:11 The early signs looked ominous for a Germany side that had previously looked unbreachable, as Austria went desperately close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute.

Their defence was caught napping as Marina Georgieva wriggled away from her marker to meet Verena Hanshaw’s corner delivery with a powerful header, but Germany were bailed out by the upright. Germany soon wrestled the initiative back and, after forcing an error, made it pay with their first shot on target as Magull opened the scoring in the 25th minute.

Their high-press proved effective as Klara Buhl won the ball from Laura Wienroither down the left flank before pulling it back for Popp who cleverly left it for Magull to slot it home. The woodwork was left shaking twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half – at opposite ends of the pitch.

Giulia Gwinn made an untracked run into the penalty area to meet Buhl’s left-flank cross but her shot struck the outside of the post. Moments later,