Spain beat Germany in extra-time to face England in Euro’s final | OneFootball

Christian Wück went with a surprise choice in the lineup as Sara Däbritz gets her first start of the tournament. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig’s Giovanna Hoffmann keeps her place up front after her strong performance against France in place of Lea Schüller.

As expected, Spain dominated possession early on. However, it was Germany who had the first real chance of the game. A long punt from Ann-Katrin Berger went all the way to Klara Bühl, but the winger couldn’t manage to direct her shot on target from acute angle.

It was evident Germany plan long balls as their attacking option against the star-studded side. Apart from Patricia Guijarro’s amitious long-range effort in hopes of stunniing Berger, Spain failed to create anything noteworthy inside the first 20 minutes.

However, in the 20th minute, Berger was called upon for the first time when tournament’s top-scorer Esther González capitalized on Franziska Kett’s lapse in concentration. For a bit, that seemed to be the game changer, but Spain’s next chance didn’t arrive until five minutes before the break.

After two quick chances for Spain, Irene Paredes hit the woodwork with a header that somehow get past a crowded box. Berger made another decent save from González as Spain’s best spell did came in the final five minutes of the half.

Carlotta Wamser gifted one last chance for Spain before the halftime break, but Berger was there to comfortably grasp Clàudia Pina’s weak effort. Spain led 12-2 on shots in the first-half with most of the danger coming after the 40th minute mark.

The break was a much-needed one for Germany as they even came out strongly to start the second-half on ascendancy. It was nearly the hour mark when Spain’s first opportunity arrived. Sophia Kleinherne made a timely block to deny Aitana Bonmatí.

Germany’s second real chance of the game also saw Bühl hit one from the left flank, but Cata Coll denied her with her first save. Both coaches made their first change after that. Wück replaced Däbritz with Linda Dallmann, while Spain brought on two spectacular attacking players in Salma Paralluelo and Athenea del Castillo.

The resilient defensive display was evident when the camera focused on Rebecca Knaak fifteen minutes from the time. Knowing there are no options left on the bench because of injuries and suspension, the Manchester City defender seemed to continue playing with a lot of pain after a challenge that needed a medical attention in the first-half.

Similarily, there was a concern when Berger called for medics, but the shot-stopper managed to keep playing. The stoppage helped Germany to regroup as Bühl gets her third opportunity to break the deadlock. The Bayern Munich winger nearly scored from a direct free-kick as Coll was well beaten, but it was off target by the narrowest of margins.

Paralluelo was a real threat in the box in the closing stages. On the other end, Coll made a fantastic double save in the 94th minute from a deflected Bühl shot and a followup by Wamser. With only the final left to be played in the competition, this was a first goalless draw in what has been an entertaining tournament.

For the first time in the history of the competition, both semi finals needed extra time. It’s also the fourth knockout stage game (out of six) to go all the way into additional 30 minutes. Out of the previous three, England’s controversial win over Italy was the only one that didn’t end with a penalty shootout.

Both teams started the extra-time as if they wanted to avoid penalties, but the tired legs (and minds) caused the tempo to cool down right away. Spain finished the first-half strongly, but there was simply no big chance at either end.

Selina Cerci certainly felt undone by a refereeing decision which denied her a chance to gallop through Spain’s goal. Like the regular time, Germany started the second-half as a better team. But Spain’s sheer quality starting to show up with the half went on.

When Linda Dallmann lost possession in the left flank, there seemed to be little danger for Germany. But del Castillo sets up Bonmati for the decisive shot of the tie. The 2023 and 2004 Ballon d’Or winner caught Berger by surprise with a brilliant goal from a tight angle.

The eight-time winners scrambled for an equalizer, but it was too late. Coll made another great stop from a long-range effort by Lea Schüller, who was subbed on immediately after Spain’s goal. Germany showed plenty of determination throughout the tournament, but this is the end of their journey.

Germany’s next game will be against France in the first of the two-legged Nations League semi-final tie. Spain will face England on Sunday in the repeat of the 2023 World Cup. La Roja celebrated glory in that occasion courtesy of Olga Carmona’s first-half strike.