Germany qualifies for the semifinals of the Women's Euro

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 20, 2025, p. a10

The German national team secured their place in the semifinals of the Women's European Championship after defeating France 6-5 on penalties yesterday in the quarterfinal match played at the Jakob-Park stadium in Basel, Switzerland.

After a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of regular time, which went into extra time, the winner of the match had to be decided in a dramatic penalty shootout, where German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was the hero by saving the decisive shot from Frenchman Alice Sombath to give her team the victory.

In the next round, the German team will face world champions Spain next Wednesday in Zurich. Spain, who also eliminated host Switzerland by beating them 2-0 in their quarterfinal match last Friday.

Germany made things difficult for themselves from the start, after Kathrin Hendrich was sent off by referee Tess Olofsson in the 13th minute for pulling Griedge Mbock's hair in the penalty area.

Pull and penalty

The incident, which was reviewed by VAR, not only resulted in a red card for the German, but also a penalty awarded to the French. Grace Geyoro took the penalty, and with a powerful shot, she beat the German goalkeeper to make it 1-0 in the 15th minute.

The pleasure was short-lived for the French team, as only 10 minutes later (25), the German Sjoeke Nüsken headed in a corner kick to tie the score at 1-1.

In the remaining minutes, it looked like France would break the deadlock with goals from Delphine Cascarino and Grace Geyoro; however, both were disallowed.

Germany also had a chance to take the lead with a penalty taken by Nüsken, but she missed her shot past French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. With both teams failing to score, two 15-minute extra periods were required.

In extra time, the German goalkeeper saved her team with an excellent save, and in the penalty shootout, she scored one and saved shots from Amel Majri and Alice Sombath to seal their place in the semi-finals.

▲ Ángel Correa, Tigres' new signing, receives a powerful tackle from Colombian Moisés Mosquera yesterday during the Tigres' victory at the Universitario Stadium in Nuevo León. Photo: AFP

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 20, 2025, p. a11

Victories aren't just the product of plays that are right on the edge of the rules; they're also, and fundamentally, the result of the experience of a team's captain. Colombian James Rodríguez is the symbol of León, a world-class player who defines matches with the same leadership, interpretation, and individual talent he once displayed at Real Madrid. In the most tense moment at the old Nou Camp, the Panzas Verdes' number 10 scored from the spot to give Guadalajara a 1-0 lead, earning them all three points in the Liga MX.

Supported by his assistants at the VAR, referee Adonai Escobedo signaled contact by Erick Gutiérrez on Ettson Ayón when the latter attempted to evade him with a cut inside the penalty area. According to the video referee monitor, the Rebaño midfielder got in the way of the Esmeralda forward when he tried to clear the ball with his left foot. James immediately demanded the ball, played at times under pressure from hundreds of Atletico fans in the stands, and celebrated by watching them in silence, after deceiving goalkeeper Raúl Rangel with his shot (65).

El Rebaño couldn't shake off the image it left in previous seasons. In Argentine Gabriel Milito's debut in Mexican soccer, the main challenge in the Guadalajara attack was the speed of Mexican-American Cade Cowell, the only key striker ahead of Alan Pulido and Roberto Alvarado. The experienced Javier Chicharito Hernández, who was supposed to be the team's leader, was relegated to the bench along with other young players trying to consolidate their careers in the First Division.

Following the same principle that referee Escobedo awarded León's penalty, Milito and his team challenged an alleged push by Sebastián Santos Rosales on Hugo Camberos inside the home team's penalty area. Their protests, however, fell flat in the final minutes. Chivas had a last-minute chance from a set piece, but La Fiera's defenders multiplied their efforts to clear a ball off the line that seemed headed in the net. With that, James's 11-yard penalty proved worth it, securing their first victory.

In San Nicolás de los Garza, Tigres were far from a spectacle-filled host. A goal from Ozziel Herrera (67) and the expulsion of Portuguese midfielder Ricardinho were enough to defeat Bravos de Juárez 1-0 at the Universitario Stadium.

Despite the high expectations for the debut of Ángel Correa, Argentina's World Cup champion in Qatar 2022, the only joy for Argentina fans was their first home win in the 2025 Apertura, in addition to the return of André-Pierre Gignac.

Erendira Palma Hernández

La Jornada Newspaper, Sunday, July 20, 2025, p. a11

The arrival of Deneisha Blackwood and Aerial Chavarin, who shined yesterday with a hat trick, to Cruz Azul has been a success. Both have become the driving force behind the club, as demonstrated by their 4-0 win over Atlas and their first victory in the 2025 Liga MX Femenil Apertura tournament, a celebration they enjoyed at home.

The match also goes down as the first in tournament history to end five minutes before the scheduled time due to referee Priscila Pérez Borja considering the risk of a possible thunderstorm, as a couple of lightning bolts struck near the La Noria facilities.

Under the command of Diego Testas, the Celestes appear to be bouncing back after losing to América on the opening day of the season. They emerged victorious on Matchday 2 to earn their first three points, while the Guadalajara side took one.

Since last season, when they left Pumas to join Cruz Azul, Blackwood and Chavarin had already shown signs of their strong understanding of the game together. They had been stars with the felines, and the task was to replicate that potential with La Máquina.

The duel against Atlas was a test of confidence for the Celestes, who after losing to the Eagles now showed more risk in their offense.

However, they also made mistakes in both attack and defense. They even committed a handball, and Atlas sparked the first tense moment when their captain, Jaquelín García (25), failed to award a penalty.

La Máquina wouldn't allow any more scares and almost immediately turned the scoreboard. Attacks to reach the goal had been blocked by the red-and-black defense, so Aerial took a risk with a new strategy, unleashing a powerful shot from the edge of the box and scoring the first goal in the 31st minute. It was a stunning goal that the fans celebrated, as it relieved the anxiety caused by the previous errors.

▲ Aerial Chavarin led La Máquina to its first victory of the tournament, celebrating at home. Photo @AzulFemenil

A team move would then follow to increase the score. Guatemala's Ana Martínez outplayed her opponent on the left flank and found the perfect moment to send a cross to Jamaica's Blackwood (43), who only tapped the ball in to hit the net.

Aerial celebrated a second goal in the 65th minute amid controversy, sending a shot off the crossbar, leaving the score in doubt for a couple of seconds until the referee recognized it as a goal. The striker then connected with a header in the 76th minute to close out the game.

Both are very important players. Deneisha is more about building, while Aerial is more about finishing. It will be important for the team to support them. "Today it was important to get the points at home ," Testas noted.

At Nemesio Diez Stadium, Toluca, coached by Frenchman Patrice Lair, also celebrated their first victory in the tournament by beating Santos 1-0. The Scarlets won with a goal from American Michaela Abam (30) to reach four points, while the Guerreras only have one point.

Expectations for Toluca have been high this season following the arrival of Lair, who won two European Champions League titles with Olympique Lyonnais, and the signing of French striker Eugénie Le Sommer.