Aitana Bonmatí makes the Spanish national team dream

Germany and Spain engaged in an intense battle of styles at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium, which was settled thanks to a goal from Aitana Bonmatí in the second half of extra time (0-1). Montse Tomé's team, packed with Barça players, dominated possession, and the sister team was resilient, supported in the moments of greatest suffering by Ann-Katrin Berger, except in one: the goalkeeper missed on Aitana's goal and will have to see what the Spanish team will be like in the final of the 'Ata' on Sunday.

The decisive goal from the Barça midfielder was an explosion of emotion in a duel that had unfinished business: it was a repeat of the bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, when the Germans were the executioner of the Spanish team, which did not have a good tournament this year and demonstrates its good performance. The tie marked a match in which Spain had already begun to besiege Germany at the end of the first half and continued to do so for much of the second, but the German team had a double clear chance just before extra time that Cata Coll saved.

Although regulation time closed with almost double the number of chances for Spain (17 to 10), both teams had opportunities to take the win with their different approaches. Spain dominated, while Germany was more reactive and aggressive. In fact, the Germans, with a majority of the fans in the stands, came out strongly and created the first clear chance of the match. It came in the 7th minute, after a quick move by Bühl—a player favored by the Barça sporting management—which ended with a cross shot that just missed the post.

Tomé wasn't satisfied with her players' start and in the 10th minute she had Salma and Athenea warm up. It was simply a measure of pressure on the starters, and both would end up coming on in the second half. In fact, once the initial German scare had passed, Spain began to grow as the minutes passed, gaining depth on the flanks and finding two ways to attack in Olga Carmona and Ona Batlle. It was precisely from Olga's foray down the left that their best chance to date emerged: a pass back to Esther, who shot inside the area, forcing a great save from goalkeeper Berger.

The Spanish team attacks, Germany resists

Tomé's team was starting to work, with Aitana Bonmatí and Patri Guijarro taking center stage in midfield, finding openings to supply the forwards. Germany, retreating in a low block, resisted the attacks, trying to threaten on the counterattack. Spain had the best chances, especially from a set piece just before halftime: a free kick from Pina and a header from Irene Paredes that Berger deflected with another key save.

The halftime tie left everything open for a second half in which Spain deserved more, but Germany also knew how to threaten. In extra time, with the game wide open, Aitana connected with an easy shot at the near post that Berger, in his only error of the match, swallowed.