Germany reach Women’s Nations League final with aggregate win over France

Germany progressed to next month’s UEFA Women’s Nations League final against defending champions Spain.

Both sides only made two changes from the teams that started the first-leg in Düsseldorf. The hosts showed their intent in the opening exchanges, and it only took three minutes for them to level the score.

Melvine Malard, who replaced the injured Marie-Antoinette Katoto in attack, scored with a brilliant header to tie the aggregate score 1-1. The frantic start to the game didn’t end there as Germany quickly responded through their own striker.

Nicole Anyomi scored a stunner after receiving the ball at the edge of the box from Jule Brand. The Eintracht Frankfurt superstar wasn’t part of Germany’s European Championship squad. On the other end, Malard maintained her excellent start with a couple of chances to restore France’s lead on the night.

Delphine Cascarino thought she did that before the half-time break, but she was in an offside position when she received the ball to smash it home. France looked like a different team from Friday’s game with a dominant first-half display.

However, another moment of brilliance from Klara Bühl made it an impossible task for them after the restart. The Bayern Munich left-winger scored with another solo strike in the 50th minute.

Despite the fans pushing France not to give up on their fight, it was Germany who came close on multiple occasions to a third goal. Anyomi saw her goal chalked off by VAR before the substitute Selina Cerci hit the woodwork and Sjoeke Nüsken narrowly missed the target in the space of a minute.

However, Clara Mateo caused a nervy ending for Germany with a 89th-minute goal after an excellent wing play by fellow substitute Kadidiatou Diani. The Paris FC striker even had a great chance to level the tie, but Stina Johannes stood her ground.

Germany will face the inaugural champions, Spain, in next month’s two-legged final. The Euro 2025 finalists beat Sweden 5-0 on aggregate, with Alexia Putellas scoring the only goal in the return leg earlier tonight.