AITANA BONMATI was Spain’s saviour once again as the world champions beat Germany to book a place in the Euro 2025 final.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner fired home from a near-impossible angle to send her nation through and set up another major tournament final clash with England.
APAitana Bonmati scored the injury time winner for Spain in their Euros semi-final against Germany[/caption]
ReutersIt gives the World Champions a shot at dethroning England as European champions[/caption]
GettyBut Chloe Kelly and England could enact revenge for their heartbreak against Spain at the World Cup[/caption]
Sarina Wiegman‘s side narrowly lost out to Spain in the final of the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
And now England‘s comeback queens will have the chance to silence Spain in Sunday’s final.
Nothing could separate the two teams until the 113th minute when substitute Athenea del Castillo sent Bonmatí through on goal.
After turning Rebecca Knaak, the midfielder caught Ann-Katrin Berger out of position by finding a small gap at the near post.
Spain dominated the ball throughout but Germany were able to break their high press on multiple occasions, with Giovanna Hoffmann misfiring twice and Klara Bühl dragging her early effort wide in the first half.
Montse Tomé’s side came close to taking the lead on the brink of half-time, with Esther González forcing a brilliant close-range save from Berger after receiving a long ball from Patri Guijarro in the box.
Clàudia Pina then challenged the Germany goalkeeper once again just moments later, although Berger was just about able to keep the ball out.
Spain’s first big opportunity of the second half came when Bonmatí turned past Knaak with the drop of a shoulder before shooting, but her effort was blocked by the outstretched knee of Sophia Kleinherne.
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Although they struggled in possession throughout, Germany looked dangerous on the break with Bühl especially causing problems for the Spanish back four.
The 24-year-old came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with a free kick from over 25 yards out in the late stages of normal time, but her curled effort narrowly ran past the post.
Spain quickly responded, with substitute Salma Paralluelo attempting an audacious backheeled shot just outside the six-yard box which was calmly collected by Berger.
The forward then narrowly missed the opportunity to tap-in a low-driven cross from Athenea del Castillo before the final whistle.
Bühl came close once again with just a few seconds left to play when her effort from outside the box took a huge deflection off Olga Carmona, looping upwards and forcing Cata Coll into a crucial save on the line.
Carlotta Wamser jumped onto the rebound of the goalkeeper’s initial save, forcing a huge second block which ultimately took the clash to extra time.
Bonmatí’s strike fired La Roja to their first-ever competitive win over Germany.
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