Germany triumphed in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, sending much-fancied France home.
France were forced into a change, and it was one Philippe Bergeroo would not have wanted to make. Buccaneering left-back Laure Boulleau was injured in the lead up to the game, meaning Amel Majri was handed a chance in the starting eleven.
For the Germans and Silvia Neid, they were also made to make an alteration from the side that beat Sweden. Saskia Bartusiak had picked up one too many yellow cards and that handed Babett Peter her 91st cap.
France start strongly and miss golden chance
Elodie Thomis burst down the right hand side and crossed for Louisa Nécib, who was presented with a golden chance to open the scoring. It hadn't been her tournament so far and this looked like the moment to change all that, though she somehow managed to drill wide from just twelve yards out.
Germany were very foul happy in the opening stages but France were equally wasteful from the dead-ball opportunities. However, they weren't at fault for all the missed chances; referee Carol Anne Chenard somehow managed to wander into the path of a cunning free-kick and killed the move dead.
The Germans finally got their act together and created their first chance on the quarter-hour mark. A lovely ball in from Simone Laudehr was met by Celia Sasic, only for the striker to glance her free header over the bar.
Marie-Laure Delie was handed the next chance to open the scoring. The French forward had scored in both her previous two games after being added to the starting line-up, but her headed effort went well over.
Germany begin to steady themselves
It was an open game and there was plenty of action at both ends of the pitch. Anja Mittag had two efforts well blocked by Wendie Renard, before Annike Krahn made a vital intervention from Nécib's sliding shot moments later.
The Olympique Lyon midfielder soon had an effort on target, which required an impressive save from Nadine Angerer. Nécib controlled a poor clearing header and volleyed towards goal, although Germany's veteran stopper was equal to the snapshot.
Germany managed to survive a late flurry of French pressure and kept their nerve to go in level at half-time. Neid knew she needed to alter things and Dszenifer Marozsan came on for Mittag, in a bid to spark up the attack. That nearly paid dividends immediately, only for Sasic to have her hopeful shot saved.
Sarah Bouhaddi was called into a few minutes later, as Marozsan's long-range free-kick drew a spectacular one-handed stop from the French stopper. The start of the second period has seen Germany come back into the game more, though that was soon lived.
Nécib gives France the lead
A poor clearing header from Krahn was latched on to by Nécib, who had earned a goal with her performance in the game. She shot at goal after steadying herself, and a deflection helped carry it past the outstretched arm of Angerer. It wasn't in the fashion that Nécib normally scores, though it mattered little with her country 1-0 up.
Germany, to their credit, tried to hit back immediately and very nearly found an instant equaliser. Laudehr's attempted volley from a corner went narrowly wide, with Sasic unable to get the vital touch needed to turn it home.
Germany level from the spot
After that, the chances seemed to dry up and suddenly the game was into it's final ten minutes. However, just as quickly, Germany found themselves with a penalty-kick. A debatable hand-ball from Majri presented them with the opportunity, which Sasic confidently dispatched into the bottom corner to level the scores.
Neither side could find the golden chance or goal that would have won the game late on, as the game went into extra-time.
The first 15 minutes provided little to show which side wanted it more, or which would be the move likely to go on and win the game. France had the better chances, but were faced with a German team who were not afraid to put their bodies on the line.
It was a similar story in the second half, though there was one chance above all others to win the game. Gaetane Thiney was unmarked at the back post and, somehow, managed to push the ball wide of a largely open goal - much to the disbelief of everyone in the ground.
Germany prevail on penalties
After 120 minutes, it was penalties that would decide the winner of a pulsating game.
Behringer, Thiney, Laudehr, Abily, Peter and Nécib all converted the first six spot-kicks with ease. Marozsan and Renard followed suit, in what was becoming a penalty masterclass. Sasic did her duty too, netting an identical penalty to that of her one in normal time.
The responsibility fell to Claire Lavogez, though the youngster had her penalty saved by Angerer and they were through to face either the USA or China in the semi-finals. However, France can hold their heads high after a quite incredible effort - and could be forgiven for thinking they deserved to win.