Berger's heroics help German women keep Olympic dream alive

Horst Hrubesch's Frauen-Nationalmannschaft have eliminated 2021 defending Gold Medalists Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women's Olympic football tournament. The German women's national team were largely outplayed by their opponents Saturday evening in Marseille, yet still took Andy Spence's team to penalties thanks to an inspired performance from newly installed #1 net-minder Ann-Katrin Berger. The 33-year-old keeper then took command of the penalty shootout, stopping two Canadian takers and converting the decisive penalty that would send Germany to the semis. A rematch against the USWNT, who defeated the Germans in the group stage, awaits on Tuesday.

Hrubesch was once again able to rely on his preferred center back pairing. Marina Hegering - unable to start due to a muscular injury incurred in pre-match warm ups against Zambia - reclaimed her starting slot over Bibiana Schulze Solano. Kathrin Hendrich - who had to be subbed off after taking an elbow to the face  the 4-1 victory - was also once again fit enough to start. Hegering served as the only change from the previous XI. The DFB-Mädels nevertheless lined up in a less aggressive formation, switching from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1.

Right flanker Jule Brand, reminiscent of her form in the opening group stage fixture, pressed high up on her side several times in the early going. New DFB starting keeper Ann-Katrin Berger too sought to supply some of her trademark magicwith several quick-start long balls. Despite strong impetuses from both players, clear-cut scoring chances were rare in a rather uneventful first-half. Lea Schüller (11th) and Klara Bühl (18th) squandered respective opportunities from close range. Apart from that, the Germans weren't able to trouble the 2021 Gold Medalists much. 

At the other end, Hrubesch's defensive line held firm against Spence's team. The DFB-Mädels broke up most of the Canadian approach play. A few semi-promising counters were easily absorbed. A largely choppy opening 45 came to an uneventful close. Hrubesch stuck with his initial XI as play resumed while Spence replaced squad captain Jessie Fleming (injury late in the first half) with her Portland Thorns teammate Janine Beckie. When neither team managed much coherent over the first 12 minutes after the restart, Spence went with a triple substitution in the 57th.

Cloé Lacasse, Evelyne Viens, and Adriana Leon ensured that the Canucks became more active after the hour mark. Hrubesch responded by introducing Sydney Lohmann and Vivien Endemann for Bühl and Sjoeke Nüsken in the 65th. Spence's substitutions proved far more effective and the Germans found themselves very lucky not to concede during a ten-minute spell of unrelenting pressure between the 70th and 79th. Berger had to be at the top of her game to save efforts from Leon, Viens, and Lacasse. Viens and Leon both only missed narrowly near the end of the stretch. 

Eventually, matters got rather ugly for the DFB-Mädels and Brand was rightly booked for a frustration-fueled foul in the 79th. The haul down of Simi Awujo at least had the effect of taking the tempo out of the match and provide the Germans with some relief. Hrubesch's ladies made one last bid to avoid extra time at 90+3. Schüller headed on a long-launch for Popp when she might have had a go herself. Unfortunately, the DFB skipper couldn't quite reach the extension. 

The first chance of added time belonged to the North Americans. Berger did extremely well to save a powerful Ashley Lawrence distance effort in the 94th. The Germans continued to be forced to put out fires in the defensive ranks over the initial added time period, with Berger again having to employ a strong paw on a dangerous Lawrence cross in the 100th. Hrubesch rather curiously responded to the poor quarter-of-hour by yanking substitute Endemann for Elisa Senß.

"Team D" still struggled to find their way into the game and were saved only courtesy of the fact that the defending Gold Medalists themselves also began to lose steam. Out of nowhere, however, Germany suddenly sprung to life in the 113th. Lohmann headed a well bent Giulia Gwinn free-kick off the crossbar. Lohmann made a determined run and dug out a corner two minutes later. Senß sent an effort just wide off the subsequent set-piece.

A goal from either side nevertheless did not come in the ensuing seven minutes and it was off to the penalty lottery. In a rare case of luck not playing the dominant role in a PSO, Gotham FC keeper Berger effectively sent the DFB-Mädels to the semis herself. Berger saved two efforts and converted the decisive 4-2 herself. The 33-year-old's storybook tournament continues!