{"id":286422,"date":"2025-07-23T23:22:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T23:22:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286422\/"},"modified":"2025-07-23T23:22:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T23:22:17","slug":"aitana-bonmati-makes-england-claim-and-reveals-spain-targeted-one-germany-star-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/286422\/","title":{"rendered":"Aitana Bonmati makes England claim and reveals Spain targeted one Germany star | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"FBL-WOMEN-EURO-2025-MATCH30-GER-ESP\"
\n\t\tAitana Bonmati struck in extra-time to inspire Spain to victory over Germany (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Aitana Bonmati says she had \u2018studied\u2019 Ann-Katrin Berger\u2019s questionable positioning before beating the German goalkeeper at the near post to send Spain into the Women\u2019s Euro 2025<\/a> final.<\/p>\n

Wednesday night\u2019s semi-final between Spain and Germany proved a cagey affair, with the two teams unable to be separated after 90 minutes \u2013 24 hours on from England\u2019s dramatic extra-time victory over Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But not for the first time, Bonmati stepped up when it mattered with a moment of inspiration to help seal La Roja \u2013 the world champions \u2013 a spot in their first-ever European Championship final.<\/p>\n

After picking up possession from Athenea del Castillo on the edge of the box, the two-time Ballon d\u2019Or<\/a> winner raced through and spotted a sizeable gap between Berger and the German\u2019s left upright. <\/p>\n

With Berger momentarily distracted, Bonmati rifled the ball with some venom into the net from the tightest of angles, sending Spain\u2019s support into raptures at Zurich\u2019s Stadion Letzigrund.<\/p>\n

Germany, the 2022 runners-up, had no answer in response to Bonmati\u2019s 113th-minute strike, meaning Sunday\u2019s showpiece will be a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t believe in destiny. I believe in work, in my mentality,\u2019 Bonmati said of Spain\u2019s victory over Germany.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Germany
\n\t\tBonmati beat Berger deep into extra-time in Zurich (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Germany
\n\t\tSpain \u2018studied\u2019 Berger\u2019s tendency to leave a gap at her near post, says Bonmati (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve had great support, here and at home. I\u2019m always grateful for that<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m proud because we deserve it. We had a tremendous championship.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was the first time that we have beaten Germany, and on top of that, we reached the final. We work for this every day.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"England
\n\t\tThe Lionesses saw off Italy to seal their place in the final (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Bonmati \u2018didn\u2019t hesitate for a second\u2019 when she realised that Berger had left her a large portion of the goal to aim for \u2013 an invitation which she took with both hands.<\/p>\n

\u2018We, <\/strong>the analysts and the goalkeeping coach, had studied it and we concluded that sometimes the near post was empty,\u2019 the Barcelona midfielder explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was a pass into the net. I didn\u2019t hesitate for a second.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2023-WOMEN-MATCH64-ESP-ENG-PODIUM\"
\n\t\tSpain got the better of England in the 2023 World Cup final (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Spain got the better of England on the grandest stage of all<\/a> two years ago, with Olga Carmona\u2019s first-half goal proving decisive Down Under in Sydney.<\/p>\n

By hook or by crook, the Lionesses have managed to secure their place in a third successive tournament final this summer, twice coming from behind in their last two matches.<\/p>\n

But according to Bonmati, England\u2019s recent performances in Switzerland are \u2018meaningless\u2019 and Spain will start \u2018thinking about\u2019 Sarina Wiegman\u2019s side once the dust has settled on their semi-final win.<\/p>\n

On Spain\u2019s opposition, Bonmati said: \u2018England?\u00a0The last few games are meaningless.<\/p>\n

\u2018There are different moments, different styles.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018I think this win tonight deserves to be celebrated. Tomorrow we\u2019ll think about England.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWho will win the Women’s Euro 2025?<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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