We're down to the final four now in the Women's Draft World Cup. The quarter-finals were absolutely epic. This is how they panned out:
So we're down to the final four. Today we're going to cover both semi-finals. So let's go!
Scotland vs Germany
I don't think any expected Scotland to get this far. They weren't particularly fancied to escape from their group, which they did thanks to some resilient performances (including drawing with USA). They came through as one of the 3rd-placed sides with the best record, earning a match with Group A winners Rest of World. Another resilient display managed to get them to penalties and ultimately victory. Meanwhile, Germany's progression through their group was serene, and was followed with a nervy and contentious victory over Spain.
Scotland make one change, and that is to bring in goalscorer Clare Shine into the starting XI ahead of Lidija Kulis. Meanwhile, Germany drop defensive midfielder Nilla Fischer for attacking midfielder Lina Magull as they go to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Scotland vs Germany
I don't think any expected Scotland to get this far. They weren't particularly fancied to escape from their group, which they did thanks to some resilient performances (including drawing with USA). They came through as one of the 3rd-placed sides with the best record, earning a match with Group A winners Rest of World. Another resilient display managed to get them to penalties and ultimately victory. Meanwhile, Germany's progression through their group was serene, and was followed with a nervy and contentious victory over Spain.
Scotland make one change, and that is to bring in goalscorer Clare Shine into the starting XI ahead of Lidija Kulis. Meanwhile, Germany drop defensive midfielder Nilla Fischer for attacking midfielder Lina Magull as they go to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
As expected, Germany assert themselves early on in the game, with over 60% possession, but they cannot fashion good chances against Scotland's solid shape. With the game fragmented by fouls (but no cards), Germany's frustrations appear to be mounting. However, in the 40th minute Alexandra Popp finds herself with space on the left flank as a cross is cleared out to her. She puts in a teasing ball, just evading Nicola Doherty and finding Caroline Graham Hansen, who puts it away for the opening goal! It's the last real action before the break.
The dynamic of the game changes somewhat now that Scotland have to chase the game. Verena Schweers nearly doubles Germany's lead with a snapshot as a corner is cleared at her, whilst the other goalmouth continues untroubled.
In the 68th minute a German attack works its way to Pernille Harder in the box. She has her back to goal, but Lee Alexander rashly comes out to try and narrow the angle. It allows Harder to lay it off to Melanie Leopolz, who has a virtually-unguarded net to find from 18 yards, and does so for 2-0!
In the 68th minute a German attack works its way to Pernille Harder in the box. She has her back to goal, but Lee Alexander rashly comes out to try and narrow the angle. It allows Harder to lay it off to Melanie Leopolz, who has a virtually-unguarded net to find from 18 yards, and does so for 2-0!
Scotland eventually shift to a 4-2-4 formation, with Kulis joining Shine in attack. Although the action remains at the other end, with Popp nearly scoring a trademark free kick from out wide. In the 84th minute Germany wrap up victory as Sara Gunnarsdóttir powers in a low shot following some penalty area pinball!
In the final minute of added time salt was put on the wound as Scottish sub Sarah Crilly handles in the area, and Gunnarsdóttir grabs her second of the match from the spot.
Final score: Scotland 0-4 Germany
Player of the match: Sara Gunnarsdóttir
A sad end to Scotland's fairytale run, but they have done themselves proud. Germany may just be shifting into gear at exactly the right time, but who will they face in the final?
Final score: Scotland 0-4 Germany
Player of the match: Sara Gunnarsdóttir
A sad end to Scotland's fairytale run, but they have done themselves proud. Germany may just be shifting into gear at exactly the right time, but who will they face in the final?
Italy vs France
The two sides that continually meet in the men's DWC are meeting now in the women's. Italy are doing great in their debut DWC - winning a group containing USA (despite losing to the Americans) and hammering Norway in the quarter-finals. France, meanwhile, may have been pipped in their group by Rest of World, but they may up for it with an epic victory over USA.
Given the two sides' achievements in the last round, it's not a huge surprise to see no changes made ahead of this tie.
The two sides that continually meet in the men's DWC are meeting now in the women's. Italy are doing great in their debut DWC - winning a group containing USA (despite losing to the Americans) and hammering Norway in the quarter-finals. France, meanwhile, may have been pipped in their group by Rest of World, but they may up for it with an epic victory over USA.
Given the two sides' achievements in the last round, it's not a huge surprise to see no changes made ahead of this tie.
The opening half an hour sees very little except a few long-range French shots and yellow cards for Shanice van de Sanden and Sara Gama. It gets worse for van de Sanden as she picks up a knock and is replaced by Janice Cayman. There are further yellows for Vanessa Bernauer and Saki Kumagai, but no chances of note and we reach the break scoreless.
Eugénie Le Sommer has been the game's leading light on France's left flank, and nearly provides the opening goal on the hour mark as her low cross finds Dzsenifer Marozsan whose shot beats Laura Giuliana but cannons off the post. The first unforced sub of the game sees Leanne Sanderson replaced by Aurora Galli, but before she even has a touch France finally get the opening goal, as Le Sommer nods down Cayman's cross to Ada Hegerberg who fires it home! It's been a quiet game for the Ballon d'Or winner, but she showed her quality with that poacher's finish.
Eugénie Le Sommer has been the game's leading light on France's left flank, and nearly provides the opening goal on the hour mark as her low cross finds Dzsenifer Marozsan whose shot beats Laura Giuliana but cannons off the post. The first unforced sub of the game sees Leanne Sanderson replaced by Aurora Galli, but before she even has a touch France finally get the opening goal, as Le Sommer nods down Cayman's cross to Ada Hegerberg who fires it home! It's been a quiet game for the Ballon d'Or winner, but she showed her quality with that poacher's finish.
Despite offensive changes by Italy, France have now got a firm grasp of the game and it could have been two when Sakina Karchaoui rockets a shot off the angle of bar & post. Italy haven't mustered a chance worthy of a highlight, but in the 90th minute they earn a free kick 30 yards from goal. Given Eni Aluko's form with a dead ball in the last game this is a danger for France... and Aluko beats Sarah Bouhaddi with a powerful curling shot to equalise for Italy!
Neither side can find a winner in added time, so we need another 30 minutes...
In the late stages of normal time both teams had made their final subs, and FM19 Touch doesn't acknowledge the new rule about additional substitutes, so no-one can make any personnel changes in the extra period. As France had moved to a more defensive 4-3-3, it leads to a fairly dour state of affairs, with no chances in the whole of extra time, meaning it's penalties!
First up is Italy's Lana Clelland... sends Bouhaddi the wrong way! (1-0)
CB Wendie Renard steps up for France... scores! (1-1)
Goalscorer hero Eni Aluko... into the top corner! (2-1)
The other goalscorer Ada Hegerberg is next... puts it away! (2-2)
Barbara Bonansea, who has had a poor game... puts it behind her with a good finish! (3-2)
France's other CB is up next, Kadeisha Buchanan... powerfully into the bottom corner! (3-3)
Sara Gama... down the middle and parried by Bouhaddi! (3-3)
Formiga to put France ahead... also down the middle, and also saved! (3-3)
Aleksandra Sikora, Italy's number 13... is unlucky as her well-hit penalty is saved! (3-3)
So here is a chance to win the game, and it's Eugénie Le Sommer... never in doubt! (3-4)
France win the shootout, and the reigning champions continue to the final!
Final score: Italy 1-1 France (3-4 penalties)
Player of the match: Eugénie Le Sommer
Very fitting that Le Sommer is the one to put France through, and on balance they deserved that win.
Here is how the knockout stages have gone:
In the late stages of normal time both teams had made their final subs, and FM19 Touch doesn't acknowledge the new rule about additional substitutes, so no-one can make any personnel changes in the extra period. As France had moved to a more defensive 4-3-3, it leads to a fairly dour state of affairs, with no chances in the whole of extra time, meaning it's penalties!
First up is Italy's Lana Clelland... sends Bouhaddi the wrong way! (1-0)
CB Wendie Renard steps up for France... scores! (1-1)
Goalscorer hero Eni Aluko... into the top corner! (2-1)
The other goalscorer Ada Hegerberg is next... puts it away! (2-2)
Barbara Bonansea, who has had a poor game... puts it behind her with a good finish! (3-2)
France's other CB is up next, Kadeisha Buchanan... powerfully into the bottom corner! (3-3)
Sara Gama... down the middle and parried by Bouhaddi! (3-3)
Formiga to put France ahead... also down the middle, and also saved! (3-3)
Aleksandra Sikora, Italy's number 13... is unlucky as her well-hit penalty is saved! (3-3)
So here is a chance to win the game, and it's Eugénie Le Sommer... never in doubt! (3-4)
France win the shootout, and the reigning champions continue to the final!
Final score: Italy 1-1 France (3-4 penalties)
Player of the match: Eugénie Le Sommer
Very fitting that Le Sommer is the one to put France through, and on balance they deserved that win.
Here is how the knockout stages have gone:
I'm not bothering with a third-place play-off, which means that there's only one game left... Germany vs France to win the 2019 Women's Draft World Cup! Both countries may have gone out of the real World Cup in the quarter-finals, but they still have a chance of glory...