Spain net extra-time winner against Germany to reach Euro 2025 final
Spain captain Irene Paredes struck the foot of a post with a first-half header as her side dominated possession, with the Germans building a solid block and inviting the Spaniards to attack while they attempted to strike on the counter.
Klara Buehl had a number of decent chances in the second half, including a deflected stoppage-time effort that Spain keeper Cata Coll had to claw away, but the game ended scoreless, forcing extra time.
Bonmati finally broke the deadlock in the 113th minute, picking up a ball in the left channel and spotting a gap at Ann-Katrin Berger's near post before whipping a shot from a tight angle into the net to send the world champions through to the Euro 2025 decider.
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The 42
a day ago
- The 42
Watching Euro 2025 from afar, Ireland's missed opportunity, and future focus
I WAS IN Naples the day after Italy's Euro 2025 quarter-final win over Norway. Amid small talk about SSC Napoli, our taxi driver tried to capture the love of football in the city. 'God first, football second,' he said. It may have been the language barrier, but he seemed oblivious to Italy's landmark victory the pervious night. As we tore through the narrow cobblestone streets, with tributes to the late Diego Maradona at every corner, I tried to explain the significance of the win. A first semi-final since 1997. A meeting with defending champions England. Legendary striker Cristiana Girelli. Perennial underachievers Norway. I gave up when we were nearly ploughed into at a typically chaotic junction. (Junction? Questionable. If you've ever been to Naples, you'll understand.) Having previously been glued to the early group stage action, I missed the majority of its latter half due to a pre-planned holiday with friends. Ireland's absence brought one silver lining, at least. A Mediterranean cruise meant I didn't get to see a whole pile of live football, and a return to solid ground ended the famine. England and Sweden were in the next quarter-final, and thankfully, RTÉ Player was accessible on Naples Airport's WiFi. A monthly phone bill of €91.50 was a harsh lesson to turn off data roaming, but catching up on Wales' defeats may have been worth it. Not bitter. Half time neared as I boarded the flight home. Sweden 2, England 0. The result which greeted me in Dublin? Sweden 2, England 2. England win 3-2 on penalties. Advertisement Perhaps the best, worst shootout in history was watched almost immediately. England's path to glory continued in that manner. Marathon matches, incredible fight backs, and dramatic penalties. As they broke Italian hearts in the 119th minute of the semi-final — after a 96th minute equaliser forced extra time — I wondered if our Naples taxi driver was watching somewhere. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Back on duty for The 42, I also thought of Ireland and what could have been. Last February, they drew 0-0 in an international friendly in Florence. They may have even won but for Leanne Kiernan's second-half goal being disallowed for a borderline offside call. A tweet from former Ireland manager Eileen Gleeson caught the eye. 'Heartbreak for Italy, but reaping reward of investment into domestic game. Fully professional league from 2022, 21 of squad home based, competitive in Champions League, sustained performance in Nations League A, and moments from reaching the Euro 2025 final.' Katie McCabe made similar points in a sit down interview this week as she offered an honest assessment of women and girls' football in Ireland. 'We don't want to be left behind,' the Irish captain and Arsenal Champions League winner said at one point. 'We need to keep doing more.' Issues have been detailed by The 42 in recent months. Failure to qualify for Euro 2025, and an alarming 4-0 defeat to Slovenia, have highlighted deeper problems threatening future success. It's a stark contrast to England, our nearest neighbours celebrating back to back European titles. While population, playing numbers and investment levels are incomparable, the current juxtaposition lays bare the widening chasm. The impact and legacy of Euro 2022 has been well documented, from the growth of the WSL on and off the pitch right down to grassroots and recreational level. Will this tournament be as impactful? Can there be a knock-on effect on these shores? Surely there's bits and pieces worth looking at in England's blueprint and policies. There's inspiration and motivation, if nothing else. Denise O'Sullivan and Katie McCabe after last year's Euro 2025 playoff defeat to Wales. Nick Elliott / INPHO Nick Elliott / INPHO / INPHO We wrote about the conflicting feeling of watching a tournament without Ireland before it all kicked off. Regret, enjoyment, hope. It will have been a painful experience for the players, the sense of missed opportunity deepening with the action in full flow. What could have been. What should have been. But it must have also sharpened the focus for October's Nations League A/B promotion/relegation play-off against Belgium, who impressed at the tournament themselves. Ireland must now channel the hurt of watching from afar, and use it as motivation to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The journey continues at the Aviva Stadium on Friday 24 October. If you enjoyed watching the madness of Euro 2025 in Switzerland, give it a go. McCabe said as much this week. 'This is a massive tie so we want the Aviva absolutely rocking. Even if people are fans of the men's game but are football fans, we'd love for you to come and support us.' If you have misgivings about the way the FAI is run or the depth of quality, fair enough. But in the meantime there are teams that need our support as we try to regain some momentum, from the ground up.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
England Lionesses set to be rewarded with honours after Euros victory as PM praises champions as ‘true history-makers'
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Sir Keir flew to Basel to watch them roar to victory in last Sunday's Supersub Most read in Football The Cabinet Office oversees the honours and details of who is in line for a them are a fiercely kept secret until they are officially named but there is a long history of sports champs getting gongs. The squad were widely honoured after winning the Euros for the first time three years ago. Lionesses' Beatlemania-like homecoming shows women footballers are FINALLY getting the honour and respect they deserve Captain Kelly missed out on a gong in 2022 despite scoring England's match-winning goal in their extra-time win over Germany in the final at Wembley. Gareth Southgate was 6 Supersub Michelle Agyemang celebrates scoring with teammate Ella Toone Credit: Getty 6 Lionesses wave to fans during the team's victory parade Credit: Getty The entire men's English cricket team got honours after beating the Aussies in the 2005 Ashes. And in 2003, the England rugby union team were all given OBEs after their World Cup victory. David Beckham was told earlier this year he will Meanwhile, Lioness The Man City forward shared a pic on Instagram captioned: 'When two of my favourite things come together.' 6 Lauren Hemp poses with a Euros trophy she recreated out of 3,000 Lego bricks Credit: Instagram Recognition will be worthy of Lionesses' historic success By Sir Keir Starmer THIS summer, once again, the Lionesses united and inspired our whole nation, giving us moments we'll always remember. In pubs and living rooms across the country, we crowded around our screens with nerves jangling. We knew it would be dramatic with this team — and they didn't disappoint. Girls, like my own daughter, are dreaming that bit bigger because of what they have seen this team achieve. And in playgrounds, parks, and clubs across our communities, it's not just women and girls who are seeking to emulate their heroes — this team has inspired us all. The stats will record the Lionesses are true history-makers — the first senior England team to win a major trophy overseas; back-to-back European champions — and with a hat-trick of trophies for Sarina. But they are not just writing history, they are writing the future too. Because this story is about more than football. It's about the very right to play at all. It's about what the Lionesses represent when they play for this country. And it's about who we are, and what we can achieve together. Some people might have written England off when we were 2-0 down to Sweden or a goal behind against Italy and Spain. But if they did, they don't know this team — or this country. I was lucky enough to be at the final, and I can tell you that English heads never went down. The grit and determination that saw us come back in every one of those knock-out games was born of the same grit and determination with which this team faced down outdated attitudes that prevented some of their predecessors from even playing. It's the same courage and determination with which they called out vile and racist online abuse during the tournament. When the Lionesses put that England shirt on, they stand for what we stand for together: England, in all its glory, with our shared history and values — decency, fairness and respect. I have spoken to these players and heard their passion — for the game, for their country, and for the next generation that they want to inspire. The pride, resilience and unity that define this team, define the very best of who we are. It has shown us, once again, what this country can achieve. And I cannot think of better role models for our nation. What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable. So recognition is coming — and it will be worthy of their historic success. But the greatest tribute will be to use the inspiration of this summer to deliver a legacy the Lionesses have fought for: equal access to all sport for girls and boys. This government is rolling up its sleeves and making that a reality. The Lionesses have made an entire nation proud. We're determined to deliver a legacy they can be proud of too.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘We have to take him off them' – Luke Littler urges Man Utd to make Alejandro Garnacho swap transfer
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