Spain’s midfielder #06 Aitana Bonmati (L) and Germany’s midfielder #16 Linda Dallmann (R) battle for the ball through the UEFA Ladies’s Euro 2025 semi-final soccer match between Germany and Spain on the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, on July 23, 2025. — AFP
ZURICH: Spain are by way of to their first-ever Ladies’s European Championship last — and it took one thing particular to get them there, an outstanding extra-time winner.
Aitana Bonmati delivered the second of magic deep into further time on Wednesday evening, scoring within the 113th minute to seal a hard-fought 1–0 win over Germany.
It was a tense and emotional battle, with Spain dominating a lot of the sport however discovering it arduous to interrupt down a rock-solid German defence.
Now, they’re set for a blockbuster last towards reigning champions England in Basel on Sunday — a rematch of the 2023 World Cup last, the place Spain have been topped world champions for the primary time.
Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of the publish with a first-half header as her aspect dominated possession, with the Germans constructing a stable defensive block and alluring the Spaniards to assault whereas they tried to hit on the counter.
Germany winger Klara Buhl was spectacular all through, getting in behind the Spanish defence within the 63rd minute however firing straight at keeper Cata Coll.
With the Germans defending beautifully, Spain struggled to interrupt them down, and so they have been virtually caught out in stoppage time when Buhl had a deflected effort that Coll needed to claw away. The sport ended goalless, forcing further time.
The Germans, who entered the match with a report of 9 wins from ten earlier Euro semi-finals, regarded more likely to drag the competition to penalties – however Bonmati had different concepts.
For Bonmati, who suffered a meningitis-related well being scare within the lead-up to the match, the aim was particularly candy because it marked Spain’s first-ever victory over Germany at a serious finals.
“(I feel) proud. We deserve it. We’ve had a brutal championship. But we’ve also had a great tournament so far until today,” Bonmati stated, acknowledging how powerful it was to interrupt the Germans down.
“Today we also suffered, of course, against Germany. It’s the first time we’ve beaten Germany too, and for those who win at the end of the European Championship, what more could you ask for, right?”
Berger, who was the hero of Germany’s quarter-final shootout win over France, took accountability for the aim that led to her aspect crashing out of the match.
“I take the blame for that as well. The near post had to be covered, that’s clear, and that’s why I’m even more disappointed in myself,” she stated.
“I can make as many saves as I want, but that goal should have simply been mine, and that’s why I feel incredibly sorry – not even for myself, but for the team – because they really gave everything.”
