Spain Beats Germany, Reaches First Euro Final \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Aitana Bonmatí scored in extra time as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to reach its first Women’s European Championship final. The win sets up a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final between Spain and England. Spain is now one match away from adding the Euros to its World Cup and Nations League titles.
Quick Looks
- Aitana Bonmatí’s 113th-minute goal sealed Spain’s historic 1-0 extra-time win over Germany.
- Spain reached its first-ever Women’s European Championship final and will face England on Sunday.
- Bonmatí turned past defender Rebecca Knaak and fired in from a tight angle after a pass from Athenea del Castillo.
- Bonmatí said her team “deserved this” and praised Spain’s tournament performance.
- Germany’s goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger blamed herself for failing to protect the near post.
- Germany nearly took the lead early, but Klara Bühl’s shot missed the far post.
- Spain’s top scorer Esther González had two major chances, both saved by Berger.
- Irene Paredes hit the post, and González attempted an overhead kick in the first half.
- Spain keeper Cata Coll made a stunning double save at the end of regular time.
- Germany was seeking a record-extending ninth title but was stopped by the reigning world champions.
- This is Spain’s third major final in three years, having won the World Cup and Nations League.
- The final on Sunday will be a 2023 World Cup rematch between Spain and England.
Deep Look
Spain has advanced to its first-ever Women’s European Championship final, edging out powerhouse Germany 1-0 in a tense semifinal that required extra time to decide. The match’s defining moment came from none other than Aitana Bonmatí, the reigning two-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose 113th-minute strike sent Spain into another historic final and set up a rematch with England, the team they defeated in the 2023 World Cup final.
The match in Lyon showcased the kind of tactical depth, emotional intensity, and razor-thin margins that have come to define top-tier women’s football. Germany, chasing what would have been their ninth Euro title, delivered a performance that neutralized Spain’s normally potent attack for much of the night. Yet one lapse — one moment of brilliance from Bonmatí — was enough to end their campaign.
Bonmatí Delivers When It Matters Most
The goal came when Athenea del Castillo, whose work rate had tormented Germany throughout, slipped a smart pass through the defense. Bonmatí feinted past Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy, spun into space, and fired from an improbable angle at the near post — exactly where Germany’s keeper Ann-Katrin Berger was vulnerable.
Bonmatí later admitted the move had been rehearsed. “We analyzed her with our goalkeeping coach,” she said. “We knew she might leave that post exposed — and that’s what happened.”
With the goal, Spain claimed its first-ever win over Germany in a major tournament, underscoring the team’s evolution from promising upstart to dominant international force. Spain’s progression to the final also keeps alive its ambition to become champions of Europe, the world, and the Nations League — all within two years.
Germany’s Missed Opportunities and Berger’s Regret
Despite the outcome, Germany had its chances. Early in the game, a quick long ball from Berger found Klara Bühl, whose sharp angled shot missed by inches. Later, Giovanna Hoffmann failed to connect in front of an open goal after a brilliant play by Jule Brand.
Spain gradually found their rhythm, with Esther González testing Berger repeatedly, including a stinging shot that was tipped over the bar. A corner from Irene Paredes struck the post, and González’s ambitious overhead kick was blocked in the first half’s dying minutes.
Berger, the hero of Germany’s quarterfinal victory, took full responsibility for the decisive mistake. “The near post must be shut,” she said. “That one should have been mine.”
A Clash of Champions Awaits
Spain’s win now sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown with England in the Euro final — a repeat of their 2023 World Cup meeting, which Spain won 1-0 thanks to a strike from Olga Carmona. England, for their part, had to battle past Italy in extra time, winning 2-1 in their own grueling semifinal.
The final will be a clash of the reigning world champions versus the defending European champions, with each side seeking to solidify its place atop the women’s football hierarchy.
Coach Montse Tomé, who took over after last year’s World Cup, has guided this talented Spanish squad through intense scrutiny and high expectations. Now, with stars like Bonmatí, González, and Athenea peaking at the right moment, Spain stands one game away from a continental treble.
Conclusion
Spain’s hard-fought victory over Germany wasn’t just about breaking historical barriers — it was about confirming the nation’s new status as the gold standard in global women’s football. Fueled by tactical maturity, world-class talent, and unbreakable resilience, Spain now turns its eyes to England in what promises to be a thrilling final between the sport’s two reigning titans.
Spain Beats Germany
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