MONTREAL—There might not be anything more cruel in sports than a penalty shootout to decide the outcome of an important game, and Friday’s quarterfinal between Germany and France at the FIFA Women’s World Cup provided yet another agonizing example.
France dominated Germany from start to finish—winning many of the physical duels, having more of the ball, creating the better chances—and it excited a mostly partisan crowd of 24,859 at the Olympic Stadium with its free flowing attacking style as well. But ultimately the game had to come down to penalty kicks and there the French lost, because of one miss, 5-4.
“We’re very disappointed, we had a pact amongst ourselves to get on the podium, so were very disappointed, but we can only blame ourselves as we weren’t able to take advantage of our opportunities,” a dejected French coach Philippe Bergeroo said after the game.
Although happy about her team’s progression to the semifinal, Germany coach Silvia Neid admitted that Germany wasn’t at its best and praised France’s performance.
“From our perspective it wasn’t the best match, we can play at a higher level, but we showed our character, and we had to fight tooth and nail to stay in the game in the second half,” Neid stated.
“France is a very strong team—very skilled, very fast—they have tremendous control of the ball, they are tremendously well placed in all positions, for them it was a great match, for us it wasn’t our best match.”
Bergeroo mentioned in the lead up to the game that he was wary of Germany’s physicality, expecting them to play high up the field and press, but none of that ever happened. France was simply too quick and technical, and won most of the duels as well, so much so that Germany barely got a sniff of the ball in the final third during the first half, and it didn’t get a whole lot more in the second either.
Though on paper France lined up in a 4-4-2, it usually turned into a 4-2-4, with Louisa Necib and Elodie Thomis pushing forward from the flanks. In theory, this ultra-attacking setup would be a risky one, but with dynamic players such as Amandine Henry and Camille Abily covering ground in midfield, Germany struggled to build from the back and create serious danger in the run of play—its best chances came from dead ball situations.
Henry has certainly staked her claim as the best midfielder in the world with her performance against the Germans as she was fabulous to watch in the middle of the park. Not only did she display her quality on the ball and ability to win back possession, but also her capacity to accelerate play with quick bursts forward with the ball at her feet and join in on attacks.
But as excellent as France was in every phase of play, it failed where it mattered most. Necib finally found the go-ahead goal in the second half, but France should have already been leading by a couple of goals, to say the least.
After Germany found the equalizer in the dying minutes of the game from the penalty spot after a handball, it felt like the tables had turned. And when the game reached the shootout it seemed inevitable that Germany would win.
In the nerviest exercise in sports, the Germans simply never lose.
“I felt good about our chances (before the penalty shootout); we practise penalty kicks all year round,” Neid explained. “Our players feel good about being on the spot and taking a penalty.”
For Bergeroo and his team, who clearly have a bright future ahead of them, it was a painful lesson.
“I have 11 players who will be there in 2009 and we have to learn that to dominate doesn’t mean that we will win,” Bergeroo said. “They need they learn what will allow them to win, but I’m sad for those girls who missed two or three opportunities to get on the podium, but that’s part of the coach’s role (to help them cope).”
If a team as excellent as this French side couldn’t beat Germany, it’s hard to imagine who of the remaining teams will be able to. However, given how hard the French made them work, the worry for the Germans now is that the game will be overly taxing, and they’ll lack the energy to push to the finish line.
“We had to play for 120 minutes, but a win like this gives us some confidence,” Neid said. “We have some injured players, so the next task at hand will not be any easier, especially as it will likely be the United States, but we are among the best four teams and maybe there is more life in us and we can go on.”