Useful information
Prime News delivers timely, accurate news and insights on global events, politics, business, and technology
Spain reached the final of the Women’s European Championship for the first time when it surpassed Germany after an extra time in an absorbent semifinal meeting in Zurich.
Aitana Bonmati hit in the 113rd minute to give La Roja her first victory over Germany and organized a delicious confrontation with England in a repetition of the World Cup final since 2023.
In a constantly changing impulse game, both parties were indebted to a large part of their respective goalkeepers, who achieved a series of impressive salvages during the exciting 120 minutes.
But, in the end, the contest was established, quite appropriate by one of the best players in the world, since Spain maintains its perfect record in this summer’s tournament before Sunday’s final.
How the action was developed
The first game of the game opened the path of Germany. In seven minutes, Klara Buhl ran beyond the Spanish background line, but could only produce a shot with the left foot that dragged the brand.
Spain, perhaps predictably, affirmed its domain in possession from the off; The two -time winner of Ballon d’Or, Bonmati, began to dictate the game of the heart of the center of the Red field.
But the world champions had to wait up to 20 minutes to record their first real view of the goal. Esther Gonzalaz caught a steep medium sweetly but Ann-Katrin Berger, the hero of Germany among the sticks against France in the quarterfinals, brilliantly inclined the effort on the bar to keep the draw without goals.
Despite not seeing much of the ball, the Germans continued to divide their own opportunities. Halfway, a cross from the right from the dangerous brand Jule went to Giovanna Hoffmann, but the RB Leipzig Forward could not provide the required final touch.
Spain then responded with a burst of opportunities. First, Irene Paredes headed against the foot of the post before Bonmati hit a shot that curled up safely in Berger’s arms.
In the German cap, Spain seemed to have faced an impenetrable force. Once again, the 34 -year -old was inspired, frustrating both González and Claudia Pina when a fascinating half of the contrasting game styles approached.
Germany flew after the break. After several half houses, Buhl approached when he entered from eight yards, but Cata Coll in the goal of Spain said Berger was not the only goalkeeper who received the applause when he saved well with his legs.
Buhl, and in fact many within Stadion Letzigrund, thought he had given his team leadership when he disbelgates a free kick millimeters with only five remaining minutes.
Coll was called to action when Germany pressed for a late winner. It was far from the hyperbole to say that it kept Spain in the competition, eliminating a deviant shot that was intended for the back of the network before complying with the follow -up.
And so on extra time. With the delicately prepared contest, it was a game that would inevitably be determined by a single moment of brilliance.
And that moment, something appropriate, would come from one of the best in the world. With his back to the goal, Bonmati, whose meningitis infection on the eve of the tournament showed a doubt about his participation, allowed the ball to run between his legs, which gives him a few centimeters of space near the line.
It seemed to everyone, including Berger, that she would cut the ball through the six -yard box, but the star of Barcelona caught the German goalkeeper, squeezing an effort in the near post and, in doing so, sending her nation to a first final of euros.
