Bonmati fires Spain to first Euro final

ZURICH — Aitana Bonmati netted the only goal of the game late in extra time as world champion Spain edged Germany 1-0 in their Women's Euro 2025 semifinal on Wednesday, setting up a title decider against England on Sunday.

A tense game in Zurich was ticking down towards penalties when reigning Ballon d'Or holder Bonmati struck in the 113th minute, surprising the usually reliable German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post.

It was not one of Barcelona star Bonmati's most influential performances, yet she still delivered when it mattered to keep Spain on course to win its first European Championship crown.

"We knew that the goalkeeper often leaves her near post open in these situations, so I didn't think twice. I didn't want the game to go to penalties," said a beaming Bonmati.

Spain was also grateful to goalkeeper Cata Coll for some vital interventions, including a spectacular double save to deny Klara Buhl and Carlotta Wamser right at the end of normal time, as Germany was agonizingly eliminated.

The Spaniards will now face reigning European champion England on Sunday in Basel in what will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup decider, when La Roja triumphed 1-0 in Sydney.

If Montse Tome's side comes out on top again, Spain will become the first nation to hold both the world and European titles at the same time since Germany almost 15 years ago.

Spain had never beaten Germany before, and now it advances to its first ever Euro final, with the chance to cement its status as the leading force in international women's soccer.

"We have made history again today, getting to a first Euro final and beating Germany for the first time," said Bonmati.

"We are proud to be part of this generation of players, but this is not over yet. We can enjoy this, and then, tomorrow, we need to start thinking about England."

Germany, meanwhile, had been hoping to avenge its defeat to England in the last Euro final in 2022, but it will not add to its record tally of eight European Championship victories.

"She doesn't have to take responsibility. She made so many wonderful saves to get us where we are," Germany coach Christian Wuck said of goalkeeper Berger.

"There is no blame, we are very proud of the team."

Spain should have been the fresher of the two sides, having played its quarterfinal against host Switzerland a day before Germany got the better of France on penalties, after playing almost the whole game with 10 players.

A tale of two keepers

Germany was also missing three starters from that match, with Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nusken suspended while right-back Sarai Linder was injured.

Wuck's team, unsurprisingly, had the majority of the 22,432 crowd behind it at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium, and it also had Berger in goal.

The star of the win over France, she made a fine save to keep out a shot from Spain's Esther Gonzalez — her teammate at Gotham FC in the United States — just before the midway point in the first half, tipping the ball over for a corner.

Spain captain Irene Paredes headed against the post from a Claudia Pina corner and Gonzalez was again denied by Berger before halftime.

In the second half, it was Germany's turn to have the best chances, but Coll made a crucial block from Buhl just after the hour mark, and the Bayern Munich star also curled a freekick just wide late on.

Then came the stunning double save from Coll right at the end of injury time, as the Barcelona goalkeeper kept out a deflected Buhl shot that was looping in and quickly got up to stop Wamser's follow-up.

That was a sign that it would not be Germany's night, and it then saw defender Sophia Kleinherne come off in tears early in extra time after overstretching while trying to stop Salma Paralluelo going clean through on goal.

Spain's winner eventually came, as Bonmati, with her back to goal, let a ball from Athenea del Castillo run past her in the area before pirouetting, sprinting to the byline and beating Berger with a shot from an impossible angle.

Coll's night wasn't over though. She was forced into a final flying save by Lea Schuller, as Spain held on for the win.

AFP