Spain 1 Germany 0
July 23 – Aitana Bonmati, the world’s best player, led Spain to a 1- 0 extra-time victory against Germany with a 113th-minute goal and to a first-ever Euro final where England await in a repeat of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Not even Germany could crack Spain. For 113 minutes, Germany did just about everything right: they held their shape, closed down the spaces and snuffed out every dangerous Spanish pass or incursion. They repelled everything Spain threw at them, repeating some of the heroics of the dramatic France quarter-final with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger excelling again. And yet it was not enough.
As Germany tired, playing in their second consecutive extra time – and how could they not – Bonmati struck. At times, the twice Ballon d’Or winner had shown her frustration during the match as Spain failed to click but she led her team to new heights, first by picking up the pace in the later stages of the match and then delivering the winning goal herself.
Their first continental final will see them meet old rivals England who beat them in the quarter finals of Euro 2022, but who Spain then defeated in the World Cup final two years ago.
Deep into extra time, Bonmati capitalised on German fatigue. With a brilliant run, she got away from Rebecca Knaak and fired past Berger at the near post – it was the only mistake Berger had made in another dominating performance in Germany’s goal.
The finish, with power and precision through the tinniest of gaps, was a sweet moment for Bonmati, not just because she had started the tournament recovering from illness but because once again she proved how invaluable she was.
Spain were hardly vintage against Germany, but Bonmati turned up at the right time and at the right moment to seize the moment. It’s perhaps what Germany lacked – that cutting edge in the final third, that instinct and sublime class that guided Bonmati to the winner.
The encounter was always going to be a clash of styles: Germany’s physicality, work rate and tight defending against Spain’s passing and skills. The German energy levels and zip were second to none and for much of the evening, the Germans stifled the world champions who struggled to develop a rhythm. When Spain did find their groove, Germany looked vulnerable and relied on Berger who picked up where she left off in the last eight.
Christian Wuck and his team had a clear game plan: absorb Spanish possession and counter. The Germans closed off the central channels which left Spain with little space to develop their classic passing game. At the same time, the Germans peeled away whenever they could. It worked well: Klara Buhl raced between the Spanish defenders but dragged her shot just wide of the far post. Carlotta Wamser was flagged for offside in the first half. At the end of the 90 minutes, the pair had a dramatic double chance, but, twice, Cata Coll prevented Spain’s exit from the competition.
Germany had their opportunities, but didn’t take them. Spain weren’t clinical either As they cranked up the pressure just before half-time, a glancing header of Alexia Putellas flashed wide. Soon after a corner saw Irene Paredes’s header ricochet off the woodwork. Germany were wobbling: Berger produced a great save from Esther Gonzalez after a deft touch to control the ball.
All night Spain struggled to create open chances. With substitutes Salma Paralluelo and Athenea del Castillo they became more dangerous but still couldn’t create the kill shot. In extra time, Paralluelo just missed getting in on the end of a through ball as Sophia Kleinherne lunged in on her. All of that defending was taking its toll on Germany. Kleinherne walked off injured and Janina Minge slotted into the backline.
But they would not hold on for penalties. Germany were trapped and Bonmati knew it. Her moment arrived with an outstanding finish and the greatest reward of all: the opportunity to win a maiden European title on Sunday against England, the team they bettered in Sydney to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
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