Aitana Bonmati scored the decisive goal. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN BOZON

Bonmatí ends Germany's European Championship dream

The title dream is over: The German women's football team narrowly missed the European Championship final despite a great energetic performance against world champions Spain.

July 23, 2025

From: dpa

The team of national coach Christian Wück fought stubbornly against the title favorites for a long time, but had to accept the decisive goal in the 113th minute to make it 0-1 (0-0, 0-0) after extra time: World Footballer Aitana Bonmati scored and turned away in celebration.

In front of 22.432 spectators in Zurich's sold-out Letzigrund Stadium – including Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier – the dominant Spanish women celebrated after a battle of attrition. The team, led by star player Bonmati, can now become European champions for the first time, two years after their World Cup triumph in Australia.

Spain celebrates reaching the final. © ANSA / TIL BUERGY

The final will take place on Sunday (18.00:2022 PM) in Basel against defending champions England. There will be no revenge for the German national team's XNUMX final defeat at Wembley against the Lionesses.

Spain on the trigger

Coach Montse Tomé's team started off as usual, with the Germans chasing them. Before the tournament favorites could create their first chance, Klara Bühl suddenly broke through after a long clearance from Berger. Her low shot whizzed past the right post (8').

After a good 20 minutes, chants of "Ann-Katrin Berger" echoed through the arena: The goalkeeper deflected a shot from Ester Gonzalez over the bar. Otherwise, the German attackers, especially Jule Brand, who swarmed in all directions, worked diligently backward.

Berger (right) kept her team in the game for a long time. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

DFB team just manages to make it to the dressing room without conceding a goal
Spain and Bonmatí increasingly invaded the opposing penalty area. Following a corner, captain Irene Paredes headed the ball against the post – Berger would have been powerless to stop it (41'). Shortly afterward, the goalkeeper of US club Gotham FC saved a shot from her teammate Esther González. Wück's team barely managed to make it to the break without conceding a goal.

A few minutes into the second period, Berger had to throw himself at the onrushing Ona Batlle and fell to the ground. When Bonmatí attempted a curling shot, Kleinherne just managed to get a leg in the way.

Bühl's free kick almost lands in the goal

Spain's opening goal was in the air, but Bühl had another chance to take the lead. Goalkeeper Cata Coll just barely blocked her shot with her feet (63'). Wück brought on an attacking midfielder in Linda Dallmann, but Bühl remained involved in the German attack. The Bayern striker's free kick from 21 meters fell just centimeters wide (85') – the Spanish team flinched.

Bühl almost scored the winning goal. © ANSA / MICHAEL BUHOLZER

In stoppage time, Bühl nearly scored again, but Wamser also missed the rebound. Kleinherne was also sent off injured. After a failed clearance by substitute Sydney Lohmann, Bonmati showed off her class, fooling Berger with a shot from a tight angle into the near post.