Thank you for joining me for another thrilling Euro 2025 knockout game. Germany had Spain in their pocket for a large part of the match but Aitana Bonmati finally found a way through to set up a final against England. We will be back tomorrow with more Euros coverage and be sure to come back on Sunday where I will be taking you through the final. See you then.
Enric Massip-Bosch has emailed:
Aitana knew exactly what she was doing. In my opinion this only adds to her merit: it in a matter of skill and genius, but also of careful knowledge knowledge of your opponent.
I completely agree. She is the best player in the world for a reason. To think she was in hospital just a few weeks ago boggles the mind. She’ll be one for England to watch for sure.
Guardian writer Sid Lowe has listened in to an Aitana Bonmati interview after she scored a magnificent winner for Spain. She says that Spain had studied Ann-Katrin Berger and that they knew she stepped away from her near post.
I think what Germany were missing tonight was a clinical number nine. If Alexandra Popp hadn’t have retired and she was on the pitch I think she turns in one of Bühl’s crosses. Why Lea Schuller wasn’t brought on earlier is baffling, she arguably had Germany’s best chance of the game and was on for less than 10 minutes.
Spain will go into the final as favourites, as they have been all tournament, but the last team to beat the world champions were England. If the Lionesses turn up as they did that day, or how they did against the Netherlands in the group stage, we will be in for a great match.
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Commentary blaming Berger for that loss. Yes her positioning wasn’t great for the winner. But the blame cannot be laid all at her door.
That is also Spain’s first win over Germany. It wasn’t a classic Spanish performance but they won’t care. They are through and they remain favourites to win the Euros.
Full time: Germany 0-1 Spain
If it was going to be anyone it was going to be the current back-to-back holder of the Ballon d’Or. Aitana Bonmati with a delicious strike puts Spain into their first-ever Euros final where they will play England. It will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. Commiserations to Germany who had ruffled Spain’s feathers but they just couldn’t find the killer blow.
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120 min: One minute added, can Germany find a way through?
119 min: It comes in but Cerci’s corner is straight out of play.
118 min: Time is running out for Germany and if Spain see this out they will make their first-ever Euros final. It feels unbelievable to say that given their recent dominance. My word, Schuller almost levels it with a huge shot but Coll saves – why did it take this long to get her on? Germany corner to come.
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117 min: Spain are in full flight now and once they score they are even more deadly. They are patient in their build-up as they run down the clock in great game management, not letting Germany have any possession.
115 min: Surely that is the game? Germany have struggled to find a deadly strike in front of goal and in response Schuller is on.
One chance is missed as Paralluelo squares it across goal. Spain run it through the team and Bonmati tries a shot at the near post and it’s in. What a player.
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GOAL! Germany 0-1 Spain (Bonmati, 113)
Wow.
113 min: Brand is tackled by Paralluelo after Lohmann finds space and she draws a foul. Paralluelo gets a yellow card for the foul too. Bühl over this free kick once again and she sends in a long range pass but it goes all the way through and out for a goal kick.
111 min: Germany with a large chunk of possession but really doing nothing with it, they try and pass it up field but Spain repel the initial chances. Bühl then gets a punt towards goal but Coll saves.
109 min: Guijarro gives away a free kick and she gets a yellow card for it. It’s quite a way out for Bühl, she pops it in but it’s cleared. It keeps getting but back into the area but Cerci is then offside.
107 min: The BBC pundit Josie Henning said Germany aren’t just holding out for penalties but it does feel like out of the two Spain will be the team to find a winner in open play. If it goes to pens, a lot of people will back Germany.
Back underway: Germany 0-0 Spain
Here we go.
I can’t remember off the top of my head the last time Spain had penalties at a major tournament. The last time they had extra time I think was against England where the Lionesses found a goal in extra time.
Extra time half time: Germany 0-0 Spain
No breakthrough yet but Germany look like they are tiring. Can they hang on for penalties? Or will someone find a winner? We will soon find out.
105 + 1 min: Spain win a corner and it does really feel whoever scores first will win this. Paralluelo takes it but Paredes’ header is straight out. There is one minute added.
105 min: Senß has good intervention but Spain still get the ball in, they are such a dangerous side. However, Berger does just enough to put the attackers off.
103 min: Bonmati pops in a lovely cross but Berger reads it and collects. Spain keep the pressure up but this time Knaak clears. And here they come again – in and out goes the ball from the area – but somehow Germany keep repelling the efforts. Spain now make a change with Martin-Prieto on for Caldentey.
101 min: Just for context, Kleinherne is the third German defender to be injured with Gwinn and Linder already out of action. Hendrich is suspended tonight for her red card. So they are really stripped back in that area of the pitch.
99 min: Bühl pops it in and lofts it towards Knaak but it has too much on it. I would have fancied her batting that towards goal herself.
98 min: Germany win a free kick in a great position, can they find a goal here? Bühl is the player hoping to answer that question.
97 min: Kleinherne gets back to her feet and she tries to jog it off. She has a conversation with her coach and she is off, Lohmann is on. Such a sad way for her to end this semi-final, she has been outstanding.
95 min: Germany still remaining quite compact in their defence but Wamser gifts possession away and Paralluelo is in here. Berger comes out to collect and the chance is gone. In the build-up Kleinherne committed herself to a tackle but she seems to have hurt herself in the process.
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93 min: Germany reply with a chance of their own but her shot is way over the bar.
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92 min: Spain not being tentative at all in the early stages of extra time as Bonmati gets into the box but excellent German defence finds them.
Back underway: Germany 0-0 Spain
Here we go.
It will be interesting to see how Spain react here. We have already seen Germany in an extra time scenario but Spain have everything go their own way at the Euros so far.
Full time: Germany 0-0 Spain - game goes to extra time
There were superb chances for Bühl and Paralluelo in that half but neither side could find the back of the net, so we go to extra time.
90 + 4 min: Wow. How did Germany not score there? Bühl with a great chance but an even better save from Coll. She then gets back into position and saves another. Corner to come, it’s in but it’s cleared well.
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90 + 3 min: Oh my word that was the chance. Del Castillo had a great run down the right and fed the ball in but Paralluelo can’t quite get there.
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90 + 1 min: There will be four minutes added. The ball rolls to Paralluelo who flicks it one but Berger is there to save.
90 min: Guijarro puts in a great ball into the box but Berger reads it and catches. Spain really throwing everything at Germany in these last few minutes.
88 min: What an intervention from Kett, Spain were absolutely flying and got into the box but the German defender cut out the chance.
87 min: Germany make a change with Hoffman off for Cerci, interesting Schuller isn’t being introduced yet.
86 min: Bühl takes the free kick and from that angle I thought it was in, it was so narrowly wide. Wow that was so close. Spain let off there.
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84 min: Berger remains down for a long time but she is then back to her feet, to the applause of the German fans. Germany then have a break from Bühl and she passes to Hoffman who wins a corner. Bühl walks over and gees up the crowd once again before popping it in. Spain initially clear it but then Del Castillo gives away a free kick in a great position.
82 min: Berger is down now, I think it may be one of her tactical sit downs to let the team reset.
80 min: Paralluelo wins a free kick from a Knaak foul and Spain take it quickly and Del Castillo wins another free kick from Kett. Spain get it in the area but they just can’t find a way through.
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78 min: Spain make another change with Del Castillo on for Pina, the sub was introduced against Switzerland and she scored. Can she do the same again here? Spain will be hoping so.
76 min: Spain are playing a lot of football on the edge of the area but Germany are doing so well to close down the space.
74 min: Batlle is judged offside and so that’s where the latest attack ends. But it isn’t long until they are in full flight once again, Pina sends a ball goalward but Berger collects.
72 min: Oh my that was close. Pina fed the ball across goal but Bonmati doesn’t quite get to it. Spain keep up the attacking pressure.
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71 min: I was surprised it was Dabritz who was taken off first, I would have liked to see Schuller on with the star very clinical in front of goal.
69 min: Spain make their first change with Gonzalez off for Paralluelo. Remember she was the player to score to send Spain to the World Cup final two years ago.
68 min: Bühl is over the corner ball and she sends it in, it has too much on it though and the chance is wasted.
66 min: Coll is so far out of her goal but gets to the ball before Hoffman can pounce. The Germans having a good spell in the last few minutes but they lack a clinical edge to score. They now win a corner.
64 min: Berger’s saves aren’t the only good thing about her game, her distribution is excellent too. It leads to the latest German attack with a ball put into the box but Coll collects. Germany come again and Bühl has an effort saved, the angle was so tough but Coll’s save is excellent. Germany now make a change with Dabritz off for Dallmann.
62 min: Bonmati sets Spain’s attack alight again with a brilliant run and she passes to Batlle but Bühl is there to clear the ball. Spain really cranking up the pressure.
60 min: Pina gets it in again but Berger punches clear, Bonmati puts it back in but the German keeper catches.
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59 min: Pina pop it in but in a similar outcome to Germany’s corner, it’s headed clear. Bonmati showed her frustration after her effort was deflected, she hit the ground. Spain come again and win another corner.
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58 min: Bühl pops it in but it’s cleared and the opportunity is gone. Spain counter and Bonmati has a shot, Kleinherne gets a deflection in for a corner.
57 min: Bühl waves her arms in the air as she wants more noise from her supporters, they get louder and she rewards them with winning a corner. Bühl is the taker and the delivery is a good one but it’s straight out for another corner.
56 min: Germany defend well again to repel their opposition. It feels this game just needs one goal and it’ll be absolutely bonkers. It’ll open up completely.
54 min: Spain in possession now as they look for a way to break down this German team.
52 min: Spain put a great ball forward and it finds Batlle, Berger comes out and clash. Both are okay to continue despite the goalkeeper remaining down for a few moments.
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50 min: Germany appeal for a handball and Bühl crosses in to Brand. There is VAR check but no penalty given, it would have been very soft. The ball bounced off of Putellas leg and into the arm of Paredes.
49 min: A fun fact for you, Spain have scored nine goals in the second half of games at Euro 2025. So Germany need to be wise to their chances in this half.
47 min: It looks like Dallmann is getting ready to come on, she is putting on her shinpads. Germany start the second half brightly by winning a free kick. Bühl pops it in and it’s a great pass but Hoffman’s effort is wide.
Back underway: Germany 0-0 Spain
Will there be a winner in normal time? Or are we heading for extra time and potentially more? All to come.
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Berger put in two more amazing saves towards the end of the half there, one from Gonzalez and another from Pina.
Half-time: Germany 0-0 Spain
Well Spain have been more slick and have had the closest chance of the game with that smacked post from the corner but Germany are in this match. Berger has made two fantastic saves and they have had chances but they haven’t been clinical enough. Still all to play for.
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45 + 1 min: There will be one minute added.
45 min: Spain pinball it around in the box, several players could have taken a shot there but Bonmati is the one to do so. Her effort is saved by Berger.
44 min: Germany work the ball up pitch again and Bühl is in a good position but she doesn’t take a shot and soon the chance is gone. Germany won’t get as many chances as Spain in this game and they need to take full advantage when they have them.
42 min: My word, Spain are really revving now. Bonmati feeds Gonzalez who tries to turn but Kleinherne is tight to her and it’s out for a corner. Pina is over the set piece and it’s headed towards goal and smacks the post by Paredes. Eventually it’s cleared.
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41 min: Pina takes the free kick and pops it straight into the box. It’s headed towards goal but Putellas and Paredes runs to the far corner but it’s out before she can reach it.
39 min: Bühl with some amazing work down the left but her resulting cross has too much on it and Coll collects. Spain then counter and they win a free kick from a foul by Wamser on Pina.
38 min: Guijarro has a great pass to Carmona but Bühl expertly deals with her to relieve pressure once again. Spain just keep on coming though and a ball is threaded into Gonzalez’ path with Berger picking up just in time.
36 min: Spain with a free kick after a handball but as expected they will run it through the team and play a million passes in the build-up. Eventually the ball comes in and Berger collects.
34 min: Kett is down after a collision with Caldentey but she doesn’t need treatment.
32 min: Bühl is the player to find another break for Germany, she is such a danger player. It runs through the team and it comes to Hoffman whose attempt is wide, the offside flag goes up but she should be doing better from there.
30 min: It looks like Knaak is okay and she re-enters the pitch. Brand makes an amazing break and somehow gets a pass away while being surrounded by three Spanish defenders. She passes to Dabritz, who finds Hoffman who absolutely biffs her attempt.
29 min: This is in a great position for Spain but before the free kick can be taken Knaak is receiving some treatment. She gets back to her feet but continues treatment on the sideline, hopefully she is okay as Germany’s defensive options are depleting. Putellas is over this and she take it short, it pinballs in the box but it trickles towards Berger.
27 min: Spain have patient build-up play with a massive amount of passes again, they pop it in twice but it’s headed clear on both occasions. Minge then gives away a free kick on Guijarro.
25 min: Carmona with a great pass but Knaak nabs it away, Putellas then gives away a foul. Spain showing a bit of frustration in their final third at the moment.
23 min: The corner comes in but Knaak puts it out for another corner. Pina pops it in and Paredes, unmarked, gets a header in but Berger spots it and saves.
22 min: Oh my word, Berger with cat-like reflexes to stop Gonzalez. That was a lovely move by Spain, it came into the box but Germany couldn’t clear it and Gonzalez walloped at goal but Berger pushed it over for a corner.
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21 min: Lovely bit of free flowing football from Spain but Germany close down each attack and force them back to Coll. The world champions find themselves in the box again but Brand is fouled by Gonzalez, who gets a yellow.
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19 min: Dabritz gets a yellow card for a high boot and possession exchanges hands. Germany definitely the team with the clear chances so far but they just haven’t taken them.
17 min: Germany peel away again. Brand wins it in a great position and she played it to Bühl on the edge of the area but her shot is blocked. Spain then counters and Caldentey is called offside but she keeps going and gets it in the back of the net but obviously it doesn’t count.
15 min: Paul Scraton has emailed:
I’m not 100% sure, but I think being in kit and named as a sub is the only way she can be in the bench as she doesn’t have accreditation as a coach or anything like that… so it’s the only way to keep her involved.
I thought it was a way to keep her involved in the team but I think she would have been able to get into the stadium had she not been in kit. Any other information on this from anyone would be great.
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14 min: Brand is fouled but Gonzalez, who is the top scorer at this Euros so far, but Germany play it back to Berger.
12 min: Carmona gets a great ball into the box despite being pressured by Wamser but no one is there to pick it up. A fairly even contest so far, Spain looking more composed but Germany with the better chances.
10 min: Holy moly, that was so close to an opener. Germany on the counter are lethal. It’s Bühl and Brand linking up with Bühl launching a shot that is just wide. Adam has emailed and said:
Really looking forward to this one! Just a quick question -- is Linder really on the German bench or is she on the bench in the same way that Gwinn is? I feel like she was injured in the last round so may not be available...but I could be wrong.
I think you may be right as they did say Wamser is in for the “injured” Linder. If it is true, there are no defenders on the bench.
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8 min: Pina has a loose ball but Caldentey does incredibly well to run and pick it up on the edge of the box. Many, many passes later Germany get rid of the danger.
6 min: Joe Pearson has emailed:
Listening to TalkSport on my phone rather than the typically abysmal Fox coverage. The radio call is a bit ahead of the video. Don’t care. Anyway, they have told us many, many times that Spain have never beaten Germany. So I’m going with the Women in White, via penalties AET.
Interesting, Joe believes history will repeat itself. On the pitch Brand gives away another free kick, which Spain take quickly again and they default to many many passes. But they are muscled off the ball by Bühl who plays a good ball through but it’s defended well.
4 min: Brand fouls Carmona and Spain take the free kick quickly. Pina works it into the box but it’s repelled quickly. Now Pina lands a foul on Wamser, a physical encounter early on.
2 min: I find it really interesting that Germany’s captain Giulia Gwinn has been ruled out with injury but she is always named on the bench and in full kit. Is this the full John Terry? Anyway, Spain start with possession which we expect for the majority of the game.
Kick-off! Germany 0-0 Spain
So here we go. Can Spain do something they never have before and beat Germany? Or will Germany sail to another Euros final? All to come. Also apologies Germany have made three changes with Linder also on the bench.
The players are out now and the anthems will soon be in full flow. Just a few minutes away from this huge semi-final now.
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Peter Gartner has emailed:
Spain to win, 3-1, in a masterclass of how to demolish an opposition. Pina to score at least one.
That’s a huge call but I also wouldn’t be too surprised if it happened either.
If it’s Germany or Spain in the final they will have to find a way to stop England’s Michelle Agyemang, who has been the supersub for the Lionesses. Here’s a read on the star:
David Wall has emailed and said:
I don’t know about player or team of the tournament so far but the standout broadcaster has got to be Vicki Sparks. I think she has done the radio commentary for almost every game and by the end of the last few matches has sounded like Marge Simpson after running a marathon. Her throat lozenge budget must be through the roof. It’s fantastic!
She is amazing isn’t she, I believe she is on 5 Live again today.
Something for you to listen to before this clash gets underway:
Montse Tomé, Spain coach, added:
The team has made history. These players are destined for greatness. Our [quarter-final] performance was very good against a [Switzerland] team playing at home, which we knew would be a challenge. We managed to keep a clean sheet, which was one of our goals. We’re in the semi-finals – objective accomplished.
Christian Wück, Germany coach, said:
I can already promise that we will give Spain a tough battle, just as they will fight us with everything they have. Then we’ll see who comes out on top in the end. I think [the win against France] will give us another huge mental boost. The girls really wanted to prove what they’re made of and that we can overcome such setbacks and come back.
The team news is in. Germany have made two changes and they come as enforced onces. Sjoeke Nusken and Kathrin Hendrich are out for Carlotta Wamser and Sara Dabritz.
Germany: Berger; Wamser, Kleinherne, Minge, Knaak, Kett; Brand, Senß, Dabritz, Buhl; Hoffman
Subs: Johannes, Mahmutovic, Linder, Gwinn, Lohmann, Freigang, Schüller, Zicai, Cerci, Dallmann
Spain, meanwhile, make one change which is also forced as Aleixandri drops out as she is suspended following a yellow card accumulation, Maria Mendez comes in.
Spain: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Mendez, Carmona; Bonmati, Patri, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina
Subs: Sullastres, Nanclares, Fernàndez, Athenea, Ouahabi, Martin-Prieto, L. García, Paralluelo, Vicky, Redondo M. Zubieta
A bit of team news to remind you of for Germany before the starting XIs drop, Kathrin Hendrich and Sjoeke Nusken are both unavailable for Germany. Hendrich is banned for her red card last time out and Nusken is suspended for too many yellow cards. Carlotta Wamser can return from her red card suspension though.
Will we see more heroics from Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger this evening? The team and their fans will be hoping so. Here’s more on her and other goalkeepers from Euro 2025:
Germany or Spain will face defending champions England in the final on Sunday after the Lionesses pulled off another comeback against Italy. You can read how the players got on here:
Seller has emailed:
To tonight, and the two strongest teams in the tournament, the Germans having shown extraordinary strength, if slightly inferior skill, to get this far: it would have been a worthy final. Mind you, disqualification for the hairpull would also have been a reasonable outcome! It’s an intriguing prospect: Spain are undoubtedly and by some distance the team with the highest skill levels individually (2023 World Cup final showcased this perfectly, leaving most of the England squad looking like comparative donkeys) and if they combine this with a good team and tactical performance then they should win. However this has been the tournament in which the stubborn donkeys of Germany and England have seen off some superior beasts, and it’s not been unentertaining! I’d be happy with a Spanish showcase, or a 99th minute winner from a Germany side reduced to 8 women by three first half red cards …
It does feel that unpredictable doesn’t it. We’ll soon find out who can outlast the other.
The Germany coach, Christian Wück, has said his players must “do a lot of chasing” and “suffer” in order to beat Spain in Zurich on Wednesday and reach the Euro 2025 final.
Spain, the world champions, are the clear favourites after winning all of their four games in Switzerland, scoring 16 goals. Germany lost 4-1 against Sweden in the group stage and had to go the distance against France in the quarter-final, winning on penalties despite having had Kathrin Hendrich sent off after 13 minutes.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Euro 2025 semi-final between Germany and Spain which will determine who joins England in the final.
Spain’s campaign has so far been unblemished. Their only slip up was conceding first to Italy in the group stage but they responded by beating them 3-1. In the quarter-finals they faced hosts Switzerland, who held the off valiantly until the second half where Spain comfortably won 2-0.
Germany, meanwhile, have had a more bumpy tournament. They lost 4-1 to Sweden which meant they finished as runners-up in their group. In the last eight match against France they went down to 10 players after just 13 minutes but the team managed to push the game all the way to penalties where they came through the shootout as victors.
Spain will be favourites to take the win but Germany are a resilient side who should be favourites Spain’s toughest opponent yet. Before the team news drops around 6.45pm BST we will take a look at news from around the tournament and what has been said in the build-up.
