Germany secured their place in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final after defeating France 2-1 ©Getty Images

A brace from Alexandra Popp helped Germany reach the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final as they defeated France 2-1 in the tournament’s second semi-final.

Germany will now face hosts England in the final, scheduled for Sunday (July 31), after a hard-fought win at stadiummk in Milton Keynes.

Captain Popp led from the front with a player of the match performance, and signalled her threat midway through the first half with a fiercely struck free-kick that was saved by French keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

Alexandra Popp, pictured lying down, receives the congratulations of her teammates after putting Germany in front ©Getty Images
Alexandra Popp, pictured lying down, receives the congratulations of her teammates after putting Germany in front ©Getty Images

With five minutes until the break, Popp gave Germany the lead with an emphatic volley from a cross by Svenja Huth.

France showed quality of their own just before the interval as Kadidiatou Diani showed some fancy footwork before hitting a powerful shot, which hit the woodwork and bounced into the net off the unfortunate German keeper Merle Frohms.  

France were on top early in the second half before Popp made her mark on the match again, powering in a header from a Huth cross to send the eight-time champions into the showpiece match, set to be played at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Popp now has six goals in this tournament, and has become the first player to score in five successive Women’s European Championship matches.