News (engl.)

Germany’s women’s national team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat after taking reigning world champions Spain all the way to extra-time in the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s EURO. Aitana Bonmatí scored the only goal of the evening in the 113th minute at a sold-out Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. 

Head coach Christian Wück made three changes to his starting line-up following the quarter-final win over France just four days prior. Ann-Katrin Berger once again started in goal, with Sophia Kleinherne replacing the suspended Kathrin Hendrich at centre-back. Rebecca Knaak took up her usual position at the heart of the backline, with Carlotta Wamser coming in for the injured Sarai Linder at right-back opposite Franziska Kett on the left. Sara Däbritz replaced Sjoeke Nüsken (yellow-card suspension) in defensive midfield, lining up alongside captain Janina Minge and Elisa Senß. Klara Bühl and Jule Brand started in their usual positions on the wings, with Giovanna Hoffmann as the lone striker. 

Spain enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening minutes, as Germany looked to press high and wait for opportunities to counter. The first chance of the evening belonged to Germany, as Berger’s long pass found Bühl. The winger was able to break through Spain’s backline, but dragged a shot just wide of the far post (8’). Spain continued to search for gaps to exploit, but weren’t dynamic enough with their passes to pose any real problems for Wück’s defence. 

Saved by Berger and the woodwork 

Spain’s first shot on target came after the ball got away from Kett inside the penalty box. Esther González pounced and forced Berger into making an incredible reflex save from close range to deny ‘La Roja’ the opener (21’). Both teams continued to wait for opportunities to arise in the minutes that followed. After a well-worked move between Brand and Däbritz, Hoffmann was unlucky to fluff her shot near the top of the box (29’). 

The final minutes of the first half featured a flurry of chances for Spain. Alexia Putellas headed wide after a free kick in the 40th minute, before González’s attempt from close range was blocked. Irene Paredes was able to head the resulting corner on target, but was denied by the post (41’), with González’s acrobatic attempt on the rebound only sending the ball over the bar. The striker then found herself through on goal in injury time, but met her match in the form of her club team-mate Berger (45+1’). 

Bühl goes close twice 

The second half continued in much the same manner, with Spain dictating the pace. However, it was once again Germany who managed to create the first good chance on goal of the half, as Hoffmann sent a header just wide after a free kick (47’). Germany continued to defend strongly, with Berger pulling off save after save to deny Spain, such as in the 52nd minute when the shot-stopper key Ona Batlle from reaching the ball. 

A few minutes later, Kleinherne slid to block a shot from Bonmatí that was heading on target (57’). Spain continued to press, but the best chances of the night continued to belong to Germany. Bühl forced goalkeeper Cata Coll into making a save with her foot from close range (64’). Shortly after, Wück made his first change of the night, as Linda Dallmann came on for Däbritz. 

Bühl then had an excellent opportunity to put Germany 1-0 up, as her direct free-kick sailed just past the post (85’). A minute later, Selina Cerci replaced Hoffmann to provide a set of fresh legs in attack. At the other end, Salma Paralluelo only just missed getting on the end of a cross into the box from Athenea del Castillo (90+2’). With extra-time looming, Bühl then forced Coll into making a diving save to claw the ball out of the top corner of the goal, before quickly getting back to her feet to deny Wamser on the rebound (90+4’). 

Bonmatí nets the winning goal late on 

For the second successive match, Germany found themselves heading to extra-time. The team showed no signs of fatigue, as Wamser delivered an early warning shot, but had to watch as it sailed over the bar (91’). Wück was then forced into a third change, as Kleinherne picked up an injury while sliding to prevent Paralluelo from getting to a ball into the box. She was replaced by Sydney Lohmann (97’). Spain continued to press hard, but found themselves denied time after time by Germany’s resolute backline. 

The two teams headed into the second half of extra-time still deadlocked. With five minutes left to play, Bonmatí left her mark on the match. The midfielder finished a shot from a tight angle inside Berger’s near post to give Spain the lead (113’). Wück reacted by bringing on striker Lea Schüller for Senß (114’). She nearly had an immediate impact, as her long-range effort was only just parried away by Coll (117’). As time ticked away from them, Germany were unable to find an answer for Bonmatí’s strike. The 1-0 defeat saw Spain progress to the final of the Women’s EURO, where they will face defending champions England on Sunday evening.