DFB Women secure strong position in Düsseldorf ahead of the return leg in Lyon

Bühl scores – Germany win Nations League semi-final first leg

On Friday evening, 37,191 spectators witnessed an intense, high-class UEFA Women's Nations League semi-final first leg at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf. With plenty of pace, emotion and determination, the German national team deservedly defeated France 1–0. Klara Bühl scored the golden goal in the 79th minute, putting her team in an excellent position for the return leg in Lyon on Tuesday.

📸IMAGO/Moritz Müller

While France relied on many players under the age of 23 as part of their generational change, Germany had to cope with several injuries. Key players such as Lena Oberdorf, Ann-Katrin Berger and Sophia Kleinherne were missing. Oberdorf’s absence was felt in particular after she suffered another cruciate ligament tear. Before kick-off, the DFB team held up the shirts of Oberdorf and Giovanna Hoffmann during the team photo to show their support. Captain Giulia Gwinn, who recently returned from a similar injury, said the team wanted to play for “Obi” and show her that she’s not alone.

From the very beginning, the energy and determination on the pitch were clear to see.
Germany started strongly and created good chances early on. Nicole Anyomi had a great opportunity in the opening minutes, but France’s goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin made an important save.
After about twenty minutes, the French began to find their rhythm and thought they had taken the lead through Delphine Cascarino, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

In the second half, the DFB women significantly increased the pressure.
They moved the ball swiftly, created numerous chances but remained goalless for a long time. It was Klara Bühl who finally broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a precise finish into the near corner, which was met with loud celebrations in the stadium.

Franziska Kett, playing on the left, was particularly impressive, putting in a strong performance on her 21st birthday. She was constantly on the move down her flank, pushing forward with pace while also working hard defensively. Her energy and determination made her one of the standout players of the evening.

Captain Giulia Gwinn made an emotional comeback after her long injury layoff. She expressed how happy she was to be back on the pitch and emphasised how much she enjoyed being part of the team again. Goalkeeper Stina Johannes was also pleased with the team’s performance. She praised the solid defence and the many chances created but noted that the team must be more clinical in front of goal.

After the match, Klara Bühl described how happy she was with the victory. She said that the performance clearly showed what the team is capable of and what kind of football they want to play. She emphasised her pride in the squad and already had her sights set on the return leg next Tuesday. The goal is clear: they want to reach the final, but they also know that winning in France will be a difficult task. For now, she added, it’s all about recovering well.

With their 1–0 victory, the German national team have put themselves in a strong position for the second leg. On Tuesday evening in Lyon, they will compete for a place in the Nations League final.