Latest news with #La Roja
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Germany offer steely resilience but Bonmatí's moment of magic solves puzzle
It took just one moment. One clever movement into space, one cutting through pass and one brilliant finish for Spain to finally undo a resilient German defence. When Aitana Bonmatí angled home a shot from a tight angle deep into extra time, she not only sent her side through to a final of a women's Euros for the first time but also proved so much about the strength, both physically and mentally, of this dominant Spanish team. It was perhaps inevitable that Bonmatí would be the one to find the answers to the puzzle Germany had placed in front of them for the best part of 112 minutes. For she has done the same so often for this Spanish side. One of the glittering jewels at the heart of their midfield, the 27-year-old more often than not is the one who can find that little bit of extra space to lose a defender with the deftest of touches. Perhaps the biggest lesson for La Roja on this cool summer night in Zurich was one of patience. Whatever their opponents threw at them, the end result for Montse Tomé's side seemed inevitable. They bided their time and pounced at just the right moment. It was hard fought and not particularly pretty but this was their first victory against Germany and one that put them one step away from the only trophy yet to make it to their cabinet. When looking at the numbers, they out-possessed, out-passed and out-created their opponents as they have done to so many others before them. And yet it did not seem like that on the night as Germany defended with a steely resilience that they have seemingly only newly discovered. Christian Wück's team went about the task of defending with bravery, seemingly tireless despite having gone through a gruelling 120-minute quarter-final with France just days earlier, 107 of those with 10 players. It was an experience that turned out to be the perfect preparation against the world champions. An example of the power of the collective rather than the brilliance of the individual. There will be huge disappointment in defeat for Wück's side but there will be a strong feeling that this group of players have discovered a toughness about themselves that they did not previously know they had. This performance, as with the one against France, was a stark contrast from that that had seen them get torn apart by Sweden just 10 days before. The two versions of this team could not be more Jekyll and Hyde. That is not to say that Wück's side does not contain a plethora of characters. They are certainly not lacking in that department but alongside the quality of its individuals, this German side look to be slowly becoming a sum of its parts. Leading from the back is the quietly brilliant Ann-Katrin Berger who possesses an equal penchant for the spectacular as she does the moments of madness. The former trait was on display once again tonight as she produced a world-class stop to deny Esther González a certain opener. Klara Bühl never stopped running, tearing through the Spanish defence with pace but just lacking the crucial end product that could have turned the game in their favour. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Wück and his Germany side fought with their backs to the wall, the head coach only able to name two recognised defenders on the bench. Not that he could actually use those two, however, with captain Giulia Gwinn sitting in a knee brace and Sarai Linder next to her out after straining her ankle ligaments. With Sjoeke Nüsken and experienced Kathrin Hendrich suspended, an already light-looking side had to dig in deep against La Roja. This is perhaps why they eventually ran out of steam and failed to keep up with Spain in the final moments. There was just one run, one incisive pass, one clever movement too many for the tiring Germans to handle. It is safe to say, however, that both teams will have learned something significant about their characters over the course of two hours in Zurich. One always had to go home, one always had to progress but there are foundations to be taken for both as they continue their respective journeys.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
😍 Bonmatì magic: Spain reach final in extra time, Germany out
Another endless semifinal, after England-Italy, at the Women's European Championship. A clash of titans between Germany and Spain, and it took extra time to determine a winner. Watch all Napoli friendlies LIVE on OneFootball! Click here from the app to purchase Napoli-Catanzaro. The decisive goal came in the 113th minute from Aitana Bonmatí, who saved the day for La Roja, deciding the most complex match of the entire journey for the reigning world champions, as a world-class player holding two Ballon d'Or awards. The Spanish players always had control of the game, having the most important chances of the match. The absolute protagonist, as mentioned, was Bonmatí, who scored the latest goal in Spain's history in knockout competitions. A total of 20 saves in the tournament for Berger, Germany's number one, a record in the competition as highlighted by Opta. The final, therefore, will be Spain-England: the World Champions against the European titleholders who trembled against our Italy. Who will win? This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON - AFP or licensors
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Spain are HUGE favourites to beat Switzerland in Women's Euros quarter-final clash - but both sides are priced at 33/1 to win dreaded penalty shootout
Spain have been given a heavy backing from Sky Bet to breeze past hosts Switzerland and make the semi-finals of the Women's European Championship on Friday night. The World Cup winners, who beat England in the 2023 final, have scythed through everyone in their path so far, beating Italy, Belgium and Portugal with an aggregate score of 14-3. As such they are considered strong favourites to go all the way in Switzerland and hold both European and World titles concurrently. Spain's men's team famously managed the feat between 2008 and 2014, when their world crown was taken by Germany after La Roja had won the Euros in both 2008 and 2012. Backed by Sky Bet as 1/40 favourites to qualify for the semi-finals against Switzerland on Friday, it is clear that Alexia Putellas and Co will take some stopping. Switzerland have been priced at 14/1 to stop the Spanish machine in its tracks, but as the game is a knockout clash, we also have the options of extra time and a penalty shootout to contend with. Spain are 1/14 to get the job done in 90 minutes, with a draw priced at 10/1 and 22/1 for Switzerland to shock the world champions. For one of the teams to win it in extras, Sky Bet have odds of 12/1, with Spain priced at 14/1 and Switzerland a wider 33/1 to snatch a victory inside 120 minutes. The game is considered an unlikely 22/1 to go to penalties, but interestingly there is no clear favourite should the match reach that point. Both teams have been priced at 33/1 to get the job done from spot-kicks. Sky Bet odds for Spain vs Switzerland: Spain in 90 minutes 1/14 Switzerland in 90 minutes 22/1 Draw after 90 minutes 10/1 Spain to reach semi-finals 1/40 Switzerland to reach semi-finals 14/1 Either team in ET 12/1 Spain in ET 14/1 Switzerland in ET 33/1 Either team on pens 22/1 Spain on pens 33/1 Switzerland on pens 33/1
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona youngster to be called up for Asia pre-season tour
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is planning to afford a place in his squad bound for Asia later this month to a highly-regarded member of the club's youth ranks. That's according to journalist Nacho Jiménez, who points towards Jan Virgili as the player in question. The name of winger Virgili has emerged as an altogether prominent one in the media chatter across Spain over recent weeks. This comes after the 18-year-old played a starring role for La Roja, en route to booking their spot in the finale of the U19 European Championships. Such excellence has since given rise to a place in Barcelona's first-team setup for pre-season training this week. And as alluded to above, Virgili has evidently already done enough to impress manager Hansi Flick and his staff. This comes amid confirmation on the part of Nacho Jiménez that: 'Jan Virgili is set to be one of the 26 footballers traveling with the first team for the Asian tour. Today, we were able to see Hansi Flick chatting with him during the 15 minutes of session coverage.' Conor Laird – GSFN
