Aitana Bonmatí is Spain’s hero after sending La Roja to the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros final for the first time with a targeted strike late into extra time.
The top two teams in Europe went neck-to-neck in extra time after a scoreless stalemate during regular play. Both teams had moments where it seemed they would be able to take the lead; however, superb goalkeeping from Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Spain’s Cata Coll kept their respective teams in the game through 90 minutes of regulation time and into extra time. AKB denied Gotham FC teammate Esther González twice while Coll saved a top-corner shot in the dying seconds of stoppage time.
Despite Spain dominating possession, Germany had their hands on the ball in key moments to keep up pressure on Spain's backline. German midfielder Jule Brand found gaps in between Spanish defenders; however, it wasn't enough for German forwards like Klara Bühl and Giovanna Hoffmann to score on target. Likewise, Spain faced a similar dilemma. Bonmatí was the one to break the deadlock, taking advantage of a lull in the German defense to catch them off guard and avoid a penalty shootout in the final minutes of extra time.
"Inside myself, I was always confident in my team," said Spanish head coach Montse Tomé. "We went through the mill, but you have to reach this level to understand what this is, and we managed it. The players knew how to do it."
Spain: 22 shots, 9 shots on target, 67% possession, 720 passes, 86% pass accuracy, 14 fouls, 6 corners, 5 offsides
Germany: 15 shots, 4 shots on target, 33% possession, 351 passes, 72% pass accuracy, 20 fouls, 6 corners, 3 offsides
Goals:
• Spain, Aitana Bonmatí, 113'
Attendance: 22,432
Aitana Bonmatí, Spain's savior
The two-time Ballon d'Or champion adds another international goal to her many accolades after scoring the game-winning goal during Wednesday's semifinal match against Germany.
Spanish forward Athenea del Castillo bypassed two German defenders to send a ball to Bonmatí, who went toe-to-toe with German defender Rebecca Knaak. Knaak tried to isolate Bonmatí towards the edge of the field; however, the Barcelona midfielder anticipated the action, sending a beautiful strike in a deliberate attempt towards the near post.
SPAIN TAKES THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME!! 🇪🇸👏 WHAT A GOAL BY AITANA BONMATÍ! 🎥 :Foxsoccer via X || #WEURO2025
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@weuro2025bot.bsky.social) 2025-07-23T21:32:50.818Z
"With the technical team, the analysts and the goalkeeping coach, we studied Berger, and we realised sometimes [Berger] left the near post free," Bonmatí said. "So I didn’t think twice. I didn’t want it to go to penalties."
The goal avoided what would have resulted in a penalty shootout to determine the outcome of the match, one that would favor the Germans, given Spain's tendency to stumble when it comes to penalties.
Germany lacked several star players, including Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nusken to suspension, and Sarai Linder to injury. Whether or not any of the three would have been able to score or counteract Bonmatí is anyone's guess, but no one can deny the impact any of the three would have had after their performances in their quarterfinal win against France last week.
Hudson River Blue Staff
Goalkeeping heroics
It was a game that went 0-0 through regulation time, and almost remained scoreless in extra time. Most of the credit can be attributed to the goalkeepers.
Berger made eight saves throughout the match, and exits the Euros with a tournament-best 23 saves. Two of those saves came against Gotham teammate Esther González, who swapped jerseys with Berger at the end of the game. AKB saved a strike from González aimed for the top of the net in the 21st minute before AKB took her on one-on-one 15 minutes later to deny another, more deliberate strike to the left-hand corner. Despite her performance, AKB wasn’t happy with herself, placing the blame on herself for not preventing Bonmatí’s goal.
"I take the blame for that as well. The near post had to be covered, that's clear, and that's why I'm even more disappointed in myself," she said.
AKB wasn't the only one making crucial saves.
Coll made a critical block seconds before the end of stoppage time. In a strike that had the potential to win Germany the match, Bühl struck a ball aimed for the very top right corner of the net. Given the angle and slower speed of the strike, Coll managed to put herself in a prime position to jump and block the shot. German forward Carlotta Wamse attempted a second shot off the deflection, but Coll remained focus, denying Germany the win a second time.
Cata Coll! 🤯👏 #WEURO2025
— UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 (@weuro2025bot.bsky.social) 2025-07-23T21:03:48.725Z
One can imagine Germany's heartbreak in that moment, two goal chances at the death slipping through their fingers.
"I feel totally happy, as it was a hard game," said Tomé. "We knew that it would be very competitive and that we needed a special mindset to face Germany, a very powerful team. We managed to beat Germany for the first time, so we are super happy. We think about all the time invested by the players and staff; there are many emotions."
Spain will face England in the Euros final on Sunday, July 27th at 12:00 pm ET at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.
Hudson River Blue Staff
