Spain is in the final of the Women's European Championship in Switzerland. The reigning world champions defeated Germany 1-0 after extra time in a dramatic semifinal thanks to a goal from World Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati in the 113th minute. In the final, England awaits the Spanish. The defending champions had also eliminated Italy 2-1 after extra time on Tuesday with great luck.

For the Spanish, it is their first appearance in the European Championship final, thanks to their first success in the head-to-head match after five defeats and three draws. Compared to previous appearances in the tournament, which had brought a goal difference of 14:3, this time a stroke of genius at the end of the game was enough. The Germans were not rewarded for another strong fight, as they had in the quarterfinals against France. They still have eight European Championship titles, the last one having been a long time ago, in 2013.

The final was one round earlier than in 2022, where they had only lost 2-1 after extra time in the final against England. First chance for the Germans. The Germans, with Carlotta Wamser, Sophia Kleinherne, and Sara Däbritz replacing the absent Sjoeke Nüsken, Kathrin Hendrich (both suspended), and Sarai Linder (injured) in the starting eleven, almost surprised the Spaniards from the start. After a long shot from Ann-Katrin Berger, Klara Bühl moved towards the goal, but shot wide of the far corner (8th). Otherwise, nothing was seen from the DFB national team offensively before the break, but defensively they once again put up an extremely strong fighting performance.

The short passing game of Bonmati and company worked, but mostly only outside the penalty area. Once, things were different, thanks to help from the DFB. Franziska Kett inadvertently passed the ball to Esther González at the penalty spot, but Berger was able to defend against the shot that went over the goal (21'). It wasn't until the final minutes before halftime that the game became dangerous several times. A free kick from Claudia Pina found no one in the middle (40'). Paredes headed against the bar. Shortly after, captain Irene.

Paredes headed against the bar from her corner, and a subsequent overhead kick from González fell short (41'). In stoppage time, Berger had to distinguish herself again with a shot from González (45'+1), another from Pina was too weak (45'+2). After the restart, the Germans again had the first noteworthy opportunity. Forward Giovana Hoffmann missed the target with a header (46'). On the other hand, Berger had to make desperate saves in a duel with Ona Batlle (52nd).

A Bonmati shot was decisively deflected by Sophia Kleinherne (58th). The DFB national team, weakened by substitutes, was generally better in the game and was able to provide relief time and again. Coll was able to deflect a Bühl shot with her knee (63rd). It was also the winger who put a very narrow free kick right past the goal (85th). The Germans lose match points. In the end, two more match points followed.

A deflected Bühl shot almost went in, Wamser missed with the follow-up shot as much as against the brilliant Coll (94th). From the German perspective, this was avenged in extra time. Berger, of all people, who has been so strong throughout the tournament, was caught out by Bonmati's shot after Del Castillo's pass from an acute angle in the penalty corner. After that, it was Coll again who held on to victory with a save on a shot from Lea Schüller (118).