Aitana Bonmati scored deep into extra-time to send Spain to their first-ever Women’s Euros final with a 1-0 win over Germany.
The world champions were pushed all the way by a stubborn German side – eliminated at the semi-final stage for the first time since 1997 – after Bonmati beat Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post in the 113th minute.
Germany came close to finding a way past Cata Coll numerous times, but ultimately failed to score for only the fifth time in 51 European Championship matches. This is also their first defeat to Spain in nine competitive meetings (having won five and drawn three).
Montse Tome’s side will contest the final against defending champions England in Basel on Sunday in a repeat of 2023’s World Cup showpiece, which Spain won 1-0.
Image: Aitana Bonmati of Spain celebrates scoring her extra-time goal against Germany in the Euro 2025 semi-final
“It was our dream to get to the final,” scorer Bonmati, who was hospitalised with viral meningitis before the tournament, told uefa.com.
“We work every day for these kind of moments… we’ve never made it to the Euro final, but today we made history again. We’ll try to make more history on Sunday.”
Spain’s first final
Spain are into their first Women’s Euros final. This is the only one of UEFA’s current national-team tournaments that they have not won.
How Spain landed first win over Germany
Germany had chances aplenty, most falling to the energetic Klara Buhl, who sliced an effort wide before busy Berger tipped Esther Gonzalez’s strike over the bar and Irene Paredes headed onto the post.
Spain continued to be frustrated by the Germany goalkeeper after a string of excellent saves denied Mariona Caldentey, Gonzalez and Claudia Pina in quick succession.
Image: Germany’s Janina Minge, left, and Spain’s Esther Gonzalez challenge for the ball
Cata Coll also starred at the opposite end to claw a Buhl effort off the line with seconds left on the clock, as well as prevent Carlotta Wamser on the follow up with her feet.
Spain eventually forced the breakthrough late into extra-time when Bonmati was played down the right and struck from an impressively tight angle to set up a decider against reigning champions England on Sunday, in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that saw the Spaniards crowned world champions for the first time.
The Lionesses also needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday.
Wuck: Spain proved their quality
Germany head coach Christian Wuck speaking to uefa.com:
“Very few people in Germany thought we would get to the semi-finals, and until the last few minutes, we played so well that Spain could not beat us.
“We need more, better possession; we need more quality. We had chances but didn’t take them, and that is where we need to start so the team can win these sorts of tournaments.
“We are very disappointed. Congratulations to Spain; they proved again what quality players they have.”
