Spain beat Germany to reach their first ever Women’s European Championship final. Although the thrilling match ended goalless after 90 minutes and ended with the score unchanged after 30 minutes of extra time, the deadlock was broken by Spanish midfielder Aytana Bonmati, who had been in hospital before the tournament, with seven minutes to go before the tie-breaker.
Bonmati, who suffered from viral meningitis, was discharged from the hospital just before the start of the Women’s Euro. There were doubts about the proper performance of this Barcelona star. After that, she played in all five matches of the Euro, but the two-time Ballon d’Or winner Bonmati was not getting goals. She scored the much-awaited goal in the semi-final. Which did not allow the Spanish women to face a challenge like the tiebreaker.
Spain is going to play the final of the Women’s Euro for the first time after winning 1-0. Where their opponent is defending champion England. The two teams will fight for the title at St. Jakob Park in Switzerland at 10 pm on Sunday. Earlier, the English women defeated France 2-1 in the first semi-final. Eight-time Euro champion Germany was also a big favorite in this tournament, but they could not cope with the world champion Spain. As a result, memories of the 2023 World Cup final are once again coming back, where the Bonmati-Puteyas won the title by defeating England 2-1.
Bonaparte’s only goal made history by sending Spain to their first ever Euro qualifier. The 27-year-old Barca midfielder said: “I gave it my all in this match and I want to thank all my teammates for that. They helped me get to this match because it wouldn’t have been possible on my own. I don’t believe in luck, I believe in hard work, my mentality and the support of the people.”
Bonaparte beat the German goalkeeper with a corner kick in the 113th minute after sharing the ball with teammate Rebecca Nack. Spain coach Montse Tome praised him, saying, “It wasn’t easy for him to play at the beginning of the tournament, but he has the special personality to play at the highest level. He has an extraordinary ability to find space in the gaps of the game, as he did today. He also resolved his health issues at the beginning of the tournament. It was good to have him back on the field, he helped the team a lot.”
Spain has won the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League in the last two years. This time, they want to take the Euro trophy to their showcase. To do so, they will have to beat the defending champions. For now, Bonmati is focusing on celebrating the semi-final victory, “We will think about England tomorrow, now is the time to celebrate.”
FAQ
Who is Bonmati?
Aitana Bonmatí is a star midfielder for Spain’s women’s national football team. She’s known for her vision, passing, and leadership on the field.
Why is the title “From Hospital to History”?
The phrase refers to Bonmatí overcoming a recent injury or health scare—possibly being hospitalized—and then making a powerful comeback to lead Spain into the Euro final.
What match is being referred to in the title?
The title refers to the UEFA Women’s Euro semifinal between Spain and Germany, where Spain emerged victorious.
What role did Bonmatí play in the semifinal win?
Bonmatí played a crucial role, either by scoring, assisting, or controlling the midfield, helping Spain defeat Germany and reach the final.
