Bonmatí fires Spain past Germany to 1st Women's Euro final

Spain's Aitana Bonmatí struck a superb extra-time winner to fire her side to a 1-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday and send them through to the Women's European Championship final for the first time.

The win set up a decider against reigning champions England in Basel on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final that saw the Spaniards crowned world champions for the first time.

England also needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday.

Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmatí finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, picking up a ball in the left channel and spotting a gap left by Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger at the near post before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net.

For Bonmatí, who suffered a meningitis-related health scare in the lead-up to the tournament, the goal was a sweet one as Spain defeated Germany for the first time at a major finals.

"[I feel] proud. We deserve it. We've had a brutal championship. But we've also had a great tournament so far until today," Bonmatí said, acknowledging how tough it was to break the Germans down.

"Today we also suffered, of course, against Germany. It's the first time we've beaten Germany too, and for those who win at the end of the European Championship, what more could you ask for, right?"

Berger, who made eight saves in the game and leads the tournament with 23 saves overall, took responsibility for the goal that saw her side crash out of the tournament.

"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.

"I can make as many saves as I want, but that goal should have simply been mine, and that's why I feel incredibly sorry, not even for myself, but for the team, because they really gave everything."

Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images

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Germany were bidding for a record-extending ninth European title but were up against the world champions and pre-tournament favourites

They almost surprised Spain early on when Klara Bühl ran onto a long ball from goalkeeper Berger but her angled drive went narrowly past the right post.

Germany managed to stifle Spain's stellar attack, which didn't have a real sight of goal until the 21st minute.

Berger had been the hero of Germany's dramatic quarterfinal against France and she pulled off another fantastic save to tip a shot over the bar from the tournament's top goalscorer Esther González.

Giovanna Hoffmann should have given Germany the lead in the 29th minute but she completely missed the ball right in front of goal after excellent play by Jule Brand.

Spain ended the half strongly, however, and went closest to breaking the deadlock shortly before the interval when Irene Paredes headed a corner off the post and González's attempt at the spectacular, with an overhead kick, was blocked.

Berger also had to make two smart saves in stoppage time, to deny first Gotham FC teammate González and then Clàudia Pina.

Germany had managed to keep Spain star Bonmatí quiet but she almost broke the deadlock in the 58th minute, carving out some space for herself and curling in shot but Sophia Kleinherne slid in and stuck out a leg to put it out.

Cata Coll had had little to do all night but the Spain goalkeeper kept her team in the tournament with a superb double save right at the end of normal time, first to parry from Bühl and then to deny Carlotta Wamse, to send the game to extra time.

Germany, who came into the game with a record of nine wins in 10 previous Euro semifinals, looked set to drag the match to penalties, but Bonmatí had other ideas.

Information from Reuters, The Associated Press and ESPN Research was used in this report.