Who will England play in Women’s Euros final? Lionesses learn opponents for huge clash

GERMANY 0-1 SPAIN (AET): Aitana Bonmati’s extra-time strike was enough for Spain to break Germany’s resolve and book a spot in the final of Euro 2025 against England

Spain will face England in the final of Euro 2025 after Aitana Bonmati’s extra-time winner against Germany. The fixture will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, when the Spaniards came out on top against Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses.

Just like England on Tuesday, the game was decided with penalties looming, as Bonmati drove home a low effort from a tight angle which beat Ann-Katrin Berger at her near post

Germany’s early gameplan was clear, with Christian Wuck’s team pressing intensely and looking to hit Spain with rapid attacks.

One of those produced one of the best early opportunities, with Klara Buhl racing onto a long clearance from goalkeeper Berger but screwing her shot wide.

Spain were happy to take a more patient approach early on, waiting for mistakes, and striker Esther Gonzalez almost punished some defensive confusion only for Berger to tip her effort over the bar.

And it was Montse Tome’s side who came closest to a first half opener, though, with captain Irene Paredes hitting the base of the post with a header from a corner.

Germany needed Berger on top form again after her heroics in the quarter-final victory over France, as Gonzalez and Claudia Pina tested her in quick succession in first-half stoppage-time.

The second period was quieter, but Buhl remained a threat and almost stunned Spain deep into stoppage-time.

Her effort took a wicked deflection, with Coll scrambling back to claw the ball out from under the bar and producing just as important a save from Carlotta Wamser’s follow-up.

The first half of extra-time passed with relatively little in the way of goalmouth action, but Germany were denied the chance to follow their shoot-out victory over France with more penalty drama.

Berger, so great in the previous round, wasn’t able to close the door quickly enough as Bonmati fired home to deny Germany a spot in the final in Basel.

England had sealed their own place in the final 24 hours earlier, but they made hard work of things against Italy. Barbara Bonansea’s goal had left the holders two minutes from elimination, only for super-sub Michelle Agyemang to force extra-time.

The Lionesses needed penalties against Sweden in the quarters, but just one spot-kick was required against Italy in the semi. Chloe Kelly’s initial effort was saved by Azzurre keeper Laura Giuliani, but the Arsenal star was able to tuck home the rebound deep into extra-time.

“I thought at 88 mins, wow, okay, well we have to score a goal or we are going home,” England manager Sarina Wiegman said. “When the injury time was shown and there were seven minutes left, I thought that gives us the time we need to create another chance.

“But of course the clock keeps ticking and you are thinking maybe it won’t come. But we play to win, we play to get these moments and we are a team that never gives up.”

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