At long last, Spain has a win over Germany in women’s soccer, with the defending World Cup champions advancing to the final of Euro 2025 after a 1-0 victory thanks to star Aitana Bonmatí’s extra-time goal.
A tense battle required 120 minutes, with Germany pouring every last bit of energy into defending against a Spanish side that controlled the ball for long spells. Despite coming into the game with multiple defenders injured or suspended, Germany seemed like they might have just enough to spring an upset over an opponent that has strolled through Euro 2025 without being seriously tested.
However, Bonmatí — who was hospitalized before the tournament with a case of viral meningitis — conjured up the game’s only goal in the 113th minute, producing a stunning turn before firing an angled shot that caught goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger by surprise.
‘We deserve it,’ Bonmatí told reporters after the game, per Reuters. ‘We’ve had a brutal championship. But we’ve also had a great tournament so far until today.’
Berger, who has been one of the best players at Euro 2025, took responsibility for the goal that ended Germany’s run.
‘The near post had to be covered, that’s clear, and that’s why I’m even more disappointed in myself,’ said the NJ/NY Gotham FC star. ‘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.’
Spain’s prize for winning is a trip to Sunday’s final in Basel, where England awaits in a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final.
Spain vs. Germany Euro 2025 highlights
Spain vs. Germany: Spain advances to Euro 2025 final
Don’t let the lack of goals fool you: that was one of the best games of Euro 2025, with Spain finally finding the solution against a remarkably dogged defensive performance from Germany.
Aitana Bonmatí’s clever goal on the turn in the 113th minute gave Spain a 1-0 win, with Germany simply not having any gas left in the tank to push for a comeback. Germany would have been favorites had it gone to penalties, but ultimately Spain did enough to deserve their place in Sunday’s final.
Speaking of: that game will be a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, with Spain taking on England at St-Jakob Park in Basel. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET, with Fox broadcasting the match.
Goal Spain! Aitana Bonmati strikes
Spain finally has the breakthrough, and it’s the multi-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí breaking the deadlock in the 113th minute.
Bonmatí produced a stunning turn to surprise the German backline, but it looked for all the world like she would only have a chance to blindly fizz a low cross into the goalmouth and hope for someone to get a touch. However, the Barcelona superstar may have seen the tiniest opening at the near post, zipping what turned out to be a surprise shot past Ann-Katrin Berger.
Berger has been arguably the best player at Euro 2025, but being beaten near post is going to haunt her unless Germany can find a late goal.
Spain vs. Germany: 0-0 at halftime in extra time
Germany is hanging on by their collective fingertips, but they found just enough in the tank to keep Spain at bay through the first 15 minutes of extra time. Germany did have one attacking chance in the early seconds of this extra time period, but simply didn’t have enough energy to execute correctly.
Since then, it’s been all Spain, and head coach Christian Wück only has one substitution window left after being forced to remove Sophia Kleinherne due to what looked like two separate injuries incurred making a single tackle.
Spain vs. Germany: 0-0 at full time, extra time has begun
Spain and Germany are producing a classic in terms of tension, with the latter very nearly stealing a win in the final seconds of regulation. Cata Coll’s late reaction to a deflected shot was followed by an excellent save on the rebound, keeping Spain alive just before the full-time whistle.
The goalkeepers have made the biggest plays in this game, which despite a lack of goals has been played at a very high level. We’re looking at 30 more minutes of play.
Spain vs. Germany: Euro 2025 semifinal back underway
Germany has kicked off against Spain as the second half begins.
Neither team has made a substitution, though it looks like a few Germany players are putting their shinguards in to prepare for a serious warm-up. Given that Spain has had so much of the ball, it would make sense that German starters might start to run out of gas.
Spain vs. Germany: Euro 2025 semifinal scoreless at halftime
The first half of this semifinal has been poised on a knife edge, but Spain and Germany walk off with the score 0-0 at Stadion Letzigrund.
Spain has dominated the ball to an almost comical degree, seeing 78% possession, but Germany knew from kickoff that they would be playing to frustrate the World Cup champions before hitting back on the counter. Despite being short-handed at the back and seeing multiple players need treatment during the first half, Germany has created some really good looks, capitalizing on some lackluster spacing from Spain.
That said, Spain has created most of the danger, and Ann-Katrin Berger has once again had to perform at the absolute top of her game. La Roja have fired 12 shots, forcing Berger into five saves and seeing one Irene Paredes header slap off the post. None of Berger’s stops were better than a 21st-minute robbery of her NWSL teammate Esther González.
Spain vs. Germany: Euro 2025 semifinal kicks off
Spain gets this massive game going, with Germany immediately setting up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation. Based on Germany’s defensive absences, we might see a lot of that dynamic as long as this game stays scoreless.
Spain vs. Germany time: Euro 2025 semifinal
The Euro 2025 semifinal between Spain and Germany kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
How to watch Spain vs. Germany: TV channel, live stream
- TV channel: Fox
- Streaming: Fubo
Watch Spain vs. Germany on Fubo
Spain lineup
Spain is nearly at full strength, but they have had to replace defender Laia Alexandri (suspension) with María Méndez.
Elsewhere, look out for arguably the two players putting the best bids to claim the Player of the Tournament award, with NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Esther González leading the Golden Boot race and playmaker Alexia Putellas showing her best form in years.
Germany lineup
Germany is facing a difficult situation at the back, where injuries and suspensions have depleted head coach Christian Wück’s options. The good news is that Carlotta Wamser, who was suspended for Germany’s dramatic win over France, is back and has been reinserted into a starting role.
The bad news? Sarai Linder (ankle) is the latest player to succumb to injury, joining captain Giulia Gwinn (knee) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, center back Kathrin Hendrich and the versatile Sjoeke Nüsken are both suspended, leaving Germany with a makeshift defense against what is arguably the world’s most formidable attack.
Spain vs. Germany odds: Women’s Euro 2025
Odds via BetMGM
- Regular time result: Germany +425 // Draw +350 // Spain -190
- To advance: Germany +250 // Spain -375
Germany’s comeback win vs. France provides gameplan
Germany’s gritty win over France has given the team a template for how they should play for the rest of the tournament, defender Rebecca Knaak told reporters on Tuesday ahead of her side’s Women’s Euro semi-final against Spain in Zurich.
The Germans had a player sent off and conceded a penalty early on against the French, but recovered to draw 1-1 after extra time and win the quarter-final shootout, pitting the eight-times champions against Spain on Wednesday.
‘Really, it’s the perfect example for passion, strength, mental strength, all these things that are characteristics that we possess,’ defender Rebecca Knaak told a press conference.
‘Of course, on a tactical basis, we are prepared by the coach and the team, but the basic, fundamental characteristic has been built for the Spanish (game) in the French match.’ – Reuters
Spain ready to finally beat Germany
‘I think they are also another team, they have another coach, but Germany is Germany and they have eight European Championships,’ Spain coach Montse Tome said. ‘Their essence is the same, regardless of who is in charge, and we are very clear about the game we want to play tomorrow, how we want to condition it and where we want to take it.’
Spain won their three group stage games by a combined score of 14-3 before defeating a spirited Swiss side 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
‘My feelings are good, full confidence in what we are creating, in the mentality we have, in the game we have played throughout the European Championship,’ Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas said. ‘It will be a very tough game, like any semi-final of a major tournament, but with maximum enthusiasm and maximum motivation to move forward and make history once again.’ – Reuters
UEFA Women’s Euro champions
- 2022: England
- 2017: Netherlands
- 2013: Germany
- 2009: Germany
- 2005: Germany
- 2001: Germany
- 1997: Germany
- 1995: Germany
- 1993: Norway
- 1991: Germany
- 1989: West Germany
- 1987: Norway
- 1984: Sweden