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Aitana Bonmatí’s extra-time goal led Spain to their first ever Women’s European Championship final with a 1-0 win over Germany.
Spain’s Aitana Bonmati celebrates after scoring. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Aitana Bonmatí scored during extra time to propel Spain into their first Women’s European Championship final with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday, setting the stage for a repeat of the 2023 World Cup title match.
Germany’s resilient performance extended the match into extra time, but Spain clinched their maiden win in nine encounters against Germany thanks to a brilliant strike from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“I feel so proud. We deserved this,” Bonmatí said. “We have played a great tournament throughout. We had a hard fight tonight, of course, because we were playing Germany. First to beat Germany and then to advance to the final of the Euros, who could ask for more?”
In the 113th minute, Athenea del Castillo skillfully threaded the ball to Bonmatí, who outmaneuvered Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy and turn before slotting home an audacious shot from a tight angle.
“We had analyzed her and knew that she would leave the near post unprotected, and that is what happened. I just slotted it home,” Bonmatí said.
Spain is now one victory away from adding the European Championship trophy to their collection, having won the World Cup and Nations League in the last two years.
Montse Tomé’s team will face defending champion England on Sunday in a repeat of the World Cup final that Spain won 1-0 two years ago.
England also required extra time for a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday.
It was a tough end to a stellar tournament for Berger, who had been the star of Germany’s dramatic quarterfinal against France.
“I take the blame for that. The near post must be shut, absolutely,” Berger said. “That’s why I’m even more disappointed in myself.
“I can make as many saves as I want, but that one should have been mine, and that’s why I’m incredibly sorry. For the team, not for me, but for those who gave their all.”
Germany coach Christian Wück absolved Berger of any blame, acknowledging her “saves that got us to where we are.”
“We imagined it differently and to concede just before the end because of such a stroke of genius, that makes it incredibly bitter,” he added.
Germany was aiming for a record-extending ninth European title but faced the formidable world champion and pre-tournament favourite.
Germany nearly stunned Spain early on when Klara Bühl sprinted onto a long ball from goalkeeper Berger, but her angled drive narrowly missed the right post.
Germany stifled Spain’s attack, which didn’t have a clear chance until the 21st minute when Berger made a fantastic save to tip a shot from the tournament’s top goalscorer Esther González over the bar.
Giovanna Hoffmann should have given Germany the lead in the 29th minute, but she missed the ball right in front of goal with a fresh air shot after excellent play by Jule Brand.
Spain finished the half strongly and came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly before the interval when Irene Paredes headed a corner off the post and González’s overhead kick was blocked.
Berger made two smart saves in stoppage time to deny first Gotham FC teammate González and then Clàudia Pina.
Germany managed to keep Spain’s star Bonmatí relatively quiet for almost an hour until she found some space and curled in a shot that Sophia Kleinherne slid to stop.
Cata Coll had little to do all night, but the Spain goalkeeper kept her team in the tournament with a superb double save at the end of regulation time, first parrying from Bühl and then denying Carlotta Wamser.
With AP Inputs
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Zurich, Switzerland
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