Bonmati puts Spain into Euro final after extra-time win over Germany

Qatar Tribune

5 days ago

dpa
Zurich
Aitana Bonmatí netted with aplomb in extra-time to send world champions Spain into the Euro 2025 final following a 1-0 win over record eight-times winners Germany on Wednesday.
Spain will meet holders England in Sunday's final in Basel, a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final won 1-0 by La Roja. It is a first Euro final for the Spanish women.
Montse Tomé's side dominated possession as usual in Zurich but Germany, who somehow beat France on penalties in the last eight having been down to 10 players after 13 minutes, defended stoutly and were dangerous on the break.
The contrast in styles meant the 90 minutes ended 0-0 before world player of the year Bonmatí produced a rare moment of class with a clever dummy. Her effort from a tight angle then went in at the near post.
Bonmatí said: 'I feel proud because we deserve it. We suffered.' The 113th-minute goal was tough on Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who has shone this tournament but said she should have done better while expecting a cross.
'The disappointment is huge, we believed until the last second. One small mistake, one loss of focus and it is so bitter,' Berger told ARD.
'I take responsibility, the near post needs to be covered. I'm sorry so for the team, not just for me.' Bonmatí added: 'We had studied Berger, who made certain movements and sometimes left spaces at the near post.' Germany were without the suspended Kathrin Hendrich following her ponytail pull against France. Sophia Kleinherne replaced her in a back three, while wing back Carlotta Wamser returned from suspension and Sara Däbritz came in for suspended midfielder Sjoeke Nüsken.
Spain made one enforced change from the 2-0 quarter-final win over hosts Switzerland as centre back María Méndez filled in for the suspended Laia Aleixandri.
'No blame,' says Germany coach Klara Bühl fired the first good chance wide for the Germans, watched in the Letzigrund stands by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Spain striker Esther González then tested Berger, who starred against the French, and the keeper made another smart save.
The tournament favourites, who had scored 16 goals in winning all their previous four matches in Switzerland, upped the ante just before the break and Irene Paredes headed against the post before Berger again denied González.
Half-time came at a good time for the Germans, who had at least kept Bonmatí and previous world player of the year Alèxia Putellas fairly quiet up to that point.
Bühl had three further big opportunities in the second half - including a deflected effort clawed off the line by Cata Coll at the death.
Otherwise the ball was mainly up the other end, although La Roja struggled to carve out clear-cut chances despite the multitude of short passes.
Extra-time was largely a non-event until Bonmatí, who had meningitis at the start of the Euros, stylishly struck - assuming she meant it at Berger's near post.
'We imagined things differently,' Germany coach Christian Wück said.
'There is no blame, she is world player of the year. It can happen.
We have played a really good tournament.'