Women’s EURO 2022: France qualify for a semi-final against Germany - could this be the year they win a first major tournament?

The quarter-finals normally mark the end of the road for France.

Les Bleues have failed to move past the final eight in every major women's football tournament in which they’ve played.

But having broken their quarter-final curse with a 1-0 win over reigning champions Netherlands on Saturday (23 July), does this French side really have what it takes to win EURO 2022?

Attacking force

Both the Netherlands and France headed into this game with a similar group-stage record of two wins and one draw, which suggested just how tight this game could prove to be.

What gave France the edge is their explosive ability to counter up the pitch - an integral slice of their setup if they’re to win this competition.

From PSG’s Melvine Malard and Grace Geyoro to Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino - France’s talent going forward has proved too much for Italy, Belgium and now - Holland.

Thanks to their sheer force going forward, France created a plethora of clear-cut chances against the Netherlands but surprisingly failed to find the back of the net in the full 90 minutes - needing extra time to see the job through.

Despite a constant attack on the Dutch defence, it took an extra-time penalty from Eve Perisset to send France through.

France’s talent in attack is evident, but as they look to their semi-final against Germany, they’ll know that an improvement in finishing is fundamental.

Leading by example

Despite the French absence from semi-finals of major tournaments, they don’t lack experience when it comes to winning.

Captain Wendie Renard has racked up a total of fourteen league titles with club Lyon, as well as eight Champions League titles.

As one of the most decorated players in women's club football and captain for both club and country, Renard has the experience needed to lead a side to victory.

With a team full of youthful talent fresh from exploding onto the Division 1 Féminine scene, Renard is well-equipped to lead France towards major tournament glory.

Leading a side that boasts players such as Geyoro and Cascarino, Renard has the potential to help shape this French side into that of historymakers.

Power and pace

There was little talk of France's chances in this competition prior to its start.

Whether that was due to the rumoured lack of squad harmony or their average performance at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, football fans began this summer with minimal expectations of Les Bleues.

Yet their power, pace and resoluteness to succeed has prevailed and - so far - proved doubters wrong.

France’s pace on the ball has been blatant from the start of each game, with all of their group stage goals coming in the first half of every match.

It may have taken an extra-time penalty to grind out a win against the Netherlands, but France pressed for the majority of the game - time and time again proving too quick and too compelling for the Dutch.

From hitting the bar twice to an off-the-line clearance, their chances in front of goal came thick and fast cementing the idea that they have what it takes to compete against the very best.

What let France down was their final touch, and although their physicality and speed makes for an enticing semi-final match up against the Germans, they’ll need to take their chances should they plan on making the final.

Growing in confidence

A goal-filled group stage helped to fuel this French side with the confidence needed to compete with Europe’s best.

In the past we’ve seen France struggle when things don’t go their way; from a lack of communication to visible frustration, squad cohesion hasn’t always been established.

However, their quarter-final performance against the Netherlands suggested a new encouraging attitude in what was an infuriating 120 minutes of play.

Despite difficulty in finding the back of the net, no French head dropped. Instead, a mature patience emerged and a persistence that paid off in the form of a late win.

The Netherlands may have been reigning champions, yet at every moment of this game there was a belief that France would come out on top - a belief that proves vital in a bid to win major tournaments like these.

How to watch France in the semi finals

France will now play Germany in a semi-final clash on Wednesday 27 July with a 20:00 BST kick-off at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England.

Read more about their opponent’s journey to the semi-finals here.

EURO 2022 is available to watch and stream live globally, regardless of where you are in the world:

• Fans in the host nation England and across Great Britain and Northern Ireland can watch games via BBC Sport, on BBC TV channels and the iPlayer
• Outside Europe, ESPN are showing every game in the USA
• Matches are also available via UEFA's online streaming service UEFA.TV in some countries