Spain Triumphs Over Germany 1-0: Bonmatí Sparks Path to Euro 2025 Final Against England!

ZURICH (AP) — Aitana Bonmatí’s stunning extra-time goal led Spain to its first Women’s European Championship final, defeating Germany 1-0. This matchup mirrored their recent World Cup clash—another high-stakes battle.

Germany put up a strong fight, pushing the game into extra time. Spain had struggled against Germany in the past, having lost eight consecutive matches. “I feel so proud. We deserved this,” Bonmatí expressed after the victory. “We’ve battled hard this tournament, and beating Germany feels incredible.”

In the 113th minute, Bonmatí received a perfect pass from Athenea del Castillo. With a clever move, she evaded a defender and scored from an unlikely angle. “We knew her near post was open,” Bonmatí explained. “So, I took my chance.”

Spain is now on the verge of adding the European trophy to their collection after winning the World Cup and Nations League in recent years.

On Sunday, they will face England, the defending champions, in a repeat of the World Cup final. England also had a tense match against Italy, securing a 2-1 win in extra time.

For Germany, the defeat marks a disappointing end to a strong tournament. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who had been instrumental in their earlier matches, took the loss hard. “I take the blame for that,” she said, acknowledging the near-post mistake. But Germany’s coach, Christian Wück, defended her performance. He praised her crucial saves that led them to the semifinals.

Germany has won the European title eight times—a record. Yet, they faced a formidable Spanish team that had been on a winning streak.

The early moments of the match saw Germany almost take the lead when Klara Bühl nearly scored with an angled shot. Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll kept her team in the game with key saves in the closing minutes of regulation, displaying composure under pressure.

Despite being relatively quiet for most of the match, Bonmatí found her rhythm, demonstrating her status as one of the tournament’s stars.

Historically, Spain’s football scene has evolved significantly. The rise of women’s football has brought new attention and investment, resulting in more competitive teams. Recent stats show that female viewership for the UEFA Women’s Champions League has skyrocketed, with a reported 800% increase in viewership in the last five years.

As we anticipate the final, social media is buzzing with excitement. Fans are sharing their predictions and celebrating the growth of women’s football.

Spain’s journey, filled with hard work and determination, continues as they aim for more glory on Sunday.

For more information on women’s soccer, check out AP Soccer.

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