Spain knew that if they were to keep their dream of following up their World Cup success with a Euros triumph alive, they would have to record a first-ever victory over the competition’s most successful side in Germany.
And it was the eight-time winners who had the first opportunity when a long ball over the top played Klara Buhl through one-on-one, but her left-footed effort drifted wide of the right post.
The Spaniards began to grow into the contest, dominating possession as is customary, and they nearly went ahead when Olga Carmona’s cross into the area wasn’t dealt with; the ball fell to Esther Gonzalez, who saw her powerful first-time effort tipped over the crossbar by the alert Ann-Katrin Berger.
The Red Ones’ captain Irene Paredes had to produce some last-ditch defending to prevent Giovanna Hoffman’s goalbound effort from testing Cata Coll, and not long after, the centre-back almost gave her team the lead when she headed a corner onto the right post.
With Spain well on top in the latter stages of the first half, Gonzalez had a second chance to open the scoring when a pinpoint long ball into the area landed at her feet, but her close-range effort was saved by Berger.
All signs pointed towards Spain - who had won their last nine matches - going up another gear after the break; however, to the Frauenteam’s credit, they were able to frustrate their opponents much more effectively. While managing to keep the tournament favourites at bay, Christian Wuck’s side were maintaining a threat on the counter and almost hit the front with 25 minutes remaining when Buhl’s close-range effort was saved by Coll.
With time ticking away, the German winger had two further opportunities in the closing stages to put her team into the final. First, her free-kick from 25 yards caught the outside of the right post, and then in the final minute of stoppage time her attempt from just outside the area was deflected and looped on target with Coll pushing the ball back into play before recovering in time to deny Carlotta Wamser’s effort on the rebound as the game headed to extra time.
Opportunities were few and far between during a tense additional 30 minutes at Stadion Letzigrund, with neither side wanting to make a costly error that would surely result in defeat.
The game appeared destined to head to a penalty shoot-out. However, just as England had done the previous night, Spain were able to find a dramatic late winning goal.
On 113 minutes, Bonmati’s shot from the byline caught Berger off her line and the ball snuck in at the near post to spark scenes of jubilation from the Spanish supporters in attendance.
That goal set up a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final in Basel on Sunday.
Flashscore Player of the Match: Aitana Bonmati (Spain)
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