Aitana Bonmati scored a stunning extra-time winner against Germany to send Spain to the final of Euro 2025 and set up a World Cup final rematch with England.
With the game goalless after 90 minutes, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner turned brilliantly before squeezing her strike past Ann-Katrin Berger in the 113th minute.
Germany pushed hard in the few remaining moments, but Cata Coll made a diving save to keep out Lea Schuller and ensure Spain reached their first Euro final.
They will meet Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 thanks to Olga Carmona’s first-half goal.
Neither team could break the deadlock in normal time, with Ann-Katrin Berger and the post denying Spain, while Germany squandered chances of their own through Klara Buhl and Giovanna Hoffmann during the first half.
La Roja continued to dominate possession after the break, but Germany’s backline remained stubborn despite having played for more than 100 minutes with 10 players in their quarter-final against France.
Christian Wuck’s side came agonisingly close to finding a late winner just before end of 90 minutes, with a deflected strike from Buhl threatening to loft over Coll’s head.
But the Barcelona keeper parried it away just in time before brilliantly stopping Carlotta Wamser’s follow-up effort to force extra time.
And with little to separate the teams, Bonmati stepped up when it mattered once – showing why she has twice been named the world’s best footballer with a silky turn and a clean finish.
What was the main talking point?
Spain had made their journey to the semi-finals look easy.
They won their three group stage games by a combined score of 14-3 before defeating a spirited Switzerland 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
But moving past eight-time champions Germany proved to be a much tougher task.
Germany had defied the odds against France – winning in a penalty shootout, having got through 107 minutes with 10 players after Kathrin Hendrich’s sending off for foolishly pulling Griedge Mbock by her hair in the box.
Wuck’s side were forced to dig deep again, and showed resilience against a dominant Spain, who had 66.9% of possession.
But Germany’s luck ran out as Bonmati drilled home her low strike, with Berger helpless to back up her quarter-final heroics.
While Spain would have preferred to have got the job done in normal time, it is a triumph that will provide them with a massive confidence boost before the final as they did what they never have done before – defeated Germany.
Which players stood out?
With Spain frustrated as Germany limited their chances, head coach Montse Tome made changes – bringing on Salma Paralluelo and Athenea del Castillo.
The duo made an immediate difference, adding a spark to Spain’s attack.
Paralluelo found herself in dangerous areas in the box on a number of occasions, although the Barcelona forward failed to sort her feet out when the ball was fizzed into her path.
For Germany, Buhl was a constant threat on the counter-attack while she performed her defensive duties brilliantly, tracking back to ensure Claudia Pina and Olga Carmona had a quiet evening up front.
The standout stats
Germany lost a Women’s Euro semi-final for the first time since 1993, ending a run of seven consecutive progressions from this stage (1995, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2022).
Spain recorded their first victory over Germany, at the ninth attempt (after three draws and five losses).
Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger has made more saves than any other goalkeeper at Euro 2025 (23).
What’s next?
In a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, England await in Sunday’s showpiece at St Jakob-Park in Basel (17:00 BST).
Germany exit the tournament, but they will be back in competitive action in October when they face France in a two-legged semi-final in the Nations League.
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