Germany beat Austria 2-0 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of Euro 2022, keeping them on track for a ninth women's European Championship championship.
In London, Austria struck the post three times, but goals from Lina Magull and Alexandra Popp advanced the Germans to play either France or the Netherlands.
Germany had easily defeated Denmark, Spain, and Finland to advance to the round of eight in what had initially appeared to be the most difficult group.
However, Martina Voss-team Tecklenburg's had to fight until Popp scored an odd goal in the 90th minute by charging down Manuela Zinsberger's clearance.
Austria had demonstrated that they are difficult opponents by challenging England all the way before falling to them 1-0 on the tournament's opening night and by eliminating Norway in the group stages.
Julia Hickelsberger-attempt Fuller's was too near for Merle Frohms to save, while Marina Georgieva's corner header bounced off the post early on for Irene Fuhrmann's team.
Germany was finding it difficult to regain the aggressive vigour that allowed them to score nine goals without answering during the group round.
They took advantage of an oversight by the Austrian defence, though, as Klara Buhl sprinted down the left wing and her cross was calmly slid past Magull for her second goal of the competition.
Svenja Huth's strong shot from a tight angle was heroically denied by Arsenal goalkeeper Zinsberger, keeping Austria in the game before the break.
Austria defied the odds to make the semifinals at Euro 2017 five years ago, their only other big tournament.
And with a bit more good fortune in the second half, they could have matched that accomplishment.
Barbara Dunst's spectacular long-range shot that rebounded against the crossbar came just inches from knocking Frohms off her line.
Then, as Germany battled to clear a corner, Sarah Puntigam crashed off the inside of the post.
However, Germany swiftly regained control and should have increased their lead before Popp scored his fourth goal of the competition.
Before Buhl's piledriver rebounded off the crossbar, Giulia Gwinn attempted a curling shot at the post.
After Popp's selfless pass, Buhl made one of the tournament's worst errors when she veered wide.
When a video of the miss was aired on the big screens, the Bayern Munich winger was made fun of by her own teammates.
Buhl, though, was soon able to exhale when Zinsberger was caught off guard by Popp's press and her clearance bounced off the Wolfsburg striker and into the goal.
