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The Guardian
17 hours 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.
France 24
11-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Italy join Spain in Women's Euro 2025 quarter-finals
Athenea, Patri Guijarro and Esther Gonzalez scored the goals in Bern for Spain who finished the group stage on a perfect nine points, five ahead of second-placed Italy who will face Norway in the last eight on Wednesday. "We had one key objective and that was to get through," said Andrea Soncin who has taken Italy to the last eight of the women's Euros for the first time since 2013. "We can still develop and there is a gap between us and Spain, but you saw that with good organisation we can compete. "Obviously they have really great players who regardless of how organised you are can mess everything up for you, but we're very happy to have qualified." Spain meanwhile will take on hosts Switzerland in a week's time as they aim to follow up their World Cup win with a first-ever Euros triumph. Montse Tome's team scored 14 times in three group matches, just four fewer goals they scored in Australia and New Zealand two years ago. "We will make the most of the time, adapt so that the players have time to rest physically and mentally, and also have some fun," said Tome. "I hope we manage to keep doing what we are doing because we won three games from three, and it's the first time Spain have done this." Italy, who took the lead through Elisabetta Oliviero in the 10th minute, ended the group stage one point ahead of third-placed Belgium who snatched a last-gasp win in Sion through Janice Cayman. Belgium were already eliminated before kick-off and only Portugal had a chance of overtaking Italy heading into the final round of Group B fixtures. Italy through But Soncin's Italy started the game knowing that a defeat would have likely been enough for a spot in the quarters even if Portugal beat Belgium due to the significant goal difference gap between the two teams. Three points separated Italy and Portugal at kick-off and Italian fans were able to relax when Tessa Wullaert stuck out her left leg to guide home Jill Janssens' low cross and put Belgium ahead in the third minute. Shortly afterwards Elena Linari thumped a header against the crossbar from Manuela Giugliano's corner, and then Oliviero gave Italy a shock lead by pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area after some poor defending from Spain. But Spain soon began to assert their dominance and four minutes later Athenea brought them level with a wonderful goal, dribbling towards the edge of the area before exchanging passes with Alexia Putellas and curling home a superb finish. The Spanish continued to have the lion's share of possession but Italy were dangerous on the break, with Martina Piemonte, up front in place of Cristiana Girelli, shanked wide when clean through on goal. And Barbara Bonansea headed over Sofia Cantore's cross two minutes before the break as Italy pushed ot retake the lead. But Spain were deservedly in front three minutes after the break through Patri whose sliced first-time finish crept past Italy goalkeeper Laura Giulinani. Spain poured forward and added a third in stoppage time through Esther Gonzalez. But it mattered little by that point as even though Telma Encarnacao levelled late for Portugal, Cayman lashed home a loose ball in the 96th minute to give Belgium a thrilling win after they had two goals chalked off by VAR. Italy's players jumped and hugged once Belgium's success was confirmed, before basking in the applause of their travelling support.
