Women's Euros
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World champions Spain are taking on record eight-time Euro winners Germany in a tantalising Euro 2025 semi-final in Zurich today.
The winner will advance to face England in Sunday's final.
32' Germany 0-0 Spain
Germany have completed 39 passes to Spain's 219… and yet on balance, Germany have had the better of the chances so far.
Hoffmann just had another attempt on goal, which was offside, and dragged just wide from a one-on-one situation.
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28' Germany 0-0 Spain
What a chance for Hoffmann!
Brand worked hard to beat two players and cross the ball into the middle of the area but Hoffmann can't sort her feet out in time.
She swings, misses and Spain get the ball clear.
As England found out last night, using the ball better, looking threatening, appearing defensively secure means nothing.
You can fool yourself that things are going to plan but at any time, your opponents can punch you in the mouth, as Italy did via Barbara Bonansea’s goal.
Of course, they later went on to win. But Germany’s strong opening to the first half against an as yet strangely off-colour Spain will be consigned to ancient history if they do not get the goal their positivity has arguably deserved.
Spain in the second half are like Brenda Lee: Coming on Strong. And they have already wrested back some of the momentum.
Spain starting to bare their teeth now with that Esther Gonzalez effort and another save from Berger a minute later, catching Paredes' header. Germany need to be wary of letting their opponents build momentum.
Ann Katrin-Berger has surely seen hundreds of that kind of shot from Esther on the training grounds of New Jersey; they both play for Gotham FC in the NWSL.
Big Save Berger to the rescue.
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20' Germany 0-0 Spain
That's crucial from Berger.
The ball drops kindly off a German defender to Gonzalez and she rattles off a powerful shot — but Berger is able to tip it over the bar.
An early yellow card for Sarah Däbritz is both understandable — she’s not seen a ton of minutes and made this starting XI to replace Sjoeke Nusken — and not ideal for Germany.
They need to continue relying on their physicality to discourage Spain from turning their possessive dominance into danger.
17' Germany 0-0 Spain
We've got an early card and it's gone to Sara Dabritz of Germany for a high boot in a challenge on Mariona Caldentey.
There’s always something disappointingly anti-climactic when one team begins a thunderous Icelandic clap when the opposition keeper has the ball and the clap ends with the same goalkeeper still on the ball.
Gentle suggestion: stop trying to make catching the keeper off their line happen.
It’s not going to happen. Especially not against Ann-Katrin Berger — we're still recovering from her epic quarter-final save!
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12' Germany 0-0 Spain
That chance from Buhl remains the best of the match so far, despite a long-range punt from Spain in an attempt to catch Berger off her line a few moments ago.
It's an intriguing battle playing out at the moment with Spain seeing more of the ball but Germany being pretty effective with it when they get it.
That was a textbook example of how Germany attack best and where Spain are most vulnerable: a long ball, a run in behind from a quick wide player, exploiting Spain's high line.
That will not be the last time Germany try to bypass the midfield, where Spain have such control and skill.
Spain do not like to play a physical game, which Germany clearly had at or near the top of their strategy plan.
We’re not even 10 minutes in and they’ve sent early messages to key Spanish players — but they’ll have to be smart about it as they grow into the game.
Spain’s answer to their aversion to aggressive play is to have an exquisite grasp of the dark arts in drawing fouls and earning favourable free kick positions.
7' Germany 0-0 Spain
What a chance for Germany!
They went direct from a goal kick from Berger, with Buhl in behind and she drags the shot just wide of Coll's left post.
Jule, looking to Brand her authority on this final, just fouled one of Spain's key players.
An early Pina-collider for Claudia.
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A reminder for those who haven't heard or for whom it hasn't quite sunk in: hard as it is to think considering their level now, Spain have never reached a European Championship final.
They have also never beaten Germany.
After managing to shut out France with just ten players on the pitch for more than an hour, the focus has been on Germany's defence — but they possess serious goal threat from out wide.
Jule Brand has recorded two goals and two assists already, while Klara Buhl's solitary assist belies how much of an issue she has caused defenders from the left wing.
Particularly with Nusken missing in the centre, these will be the key dangers for Spain to neutralise.
1' Germany 0-0 Spain
Spain win the coin toss to take kick-off and we're under way in Zurich.
