Five lessons for England as Spain book place in Euro 2025 final

Aitana Bonmati wheels away in celebration after scoring Spain’s winner against Germany - Reuters/Matthew Childs

Aitana Bonmatí scored in extra time to send Spain to their first-ever Women’s European Championship final with a 1-0 win over Germany on Wednesday, setting up a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final against England.

A stubborn Germany performance had seen them take the world champions to extra time and Spain needed a superb strike from the two-time Ballon d’Or winner to secure a first-ever win over their semi-final opponents.

Spain moved closer to adding the European Championship trophy to their collection after winning the World Cup and Nations League in the past two years.

Montse Tomé’s side will face defending champions England on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0. England also needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy on Tuesday.

England and Spain have had a number of close encounters in the last three years and can expect another on Sunday.

Telegraph Sport looks at the five things we have learnt about Spain before they face England in Basel.

Proper Spain

We have heard much about “proper England” during this tournament but this was another example of “proper Spain”. It was not a shock to see them dominate the ball against Germany. They enjoyed 67 per cent possession and had a total of 18 shots, with seven on target.

Spain’s tactic of trying to pass the ball into the net managed to wear Switzerland down in their quarter-final but came unstuck against Germany until the 113th minute.

Teams who play against this Spain side need to be able to maintain their concentration for the whole game and take any chance that comes their way.

While Spain’s style of play is undoubtedly hard to play against, it is predictable. Germany found a way to combat it and even Switzerland managed to keep them at bay for 66 minutes. It is clear Tomé’s side can be frustrated and that is what England will have to do in order to beat them.

Bonmati still the star

Spain’s tournament was thrown into chaos when Bonmati was admitted to hospital with viral meningitis in the week before their opening game.

It was unclear whether the two-time Ballon d’Or winner would recover in time but her country was always going to give her as long as possible to prove her fitness.

Bonmati was fit enough to be on the bench for Spain’s opening two games before starting the third. Unsurprisingly, she has not looked her best for much of this tournament but she delivered in the big moment.

Whether she meant her goal or not – whether it was a shot, a cross or just a hit and hope – it found the back of the net. Bonmati is finding her feet at the right time and that is a worry for England.

Lack of pace at the back

Spain’s weak spot is their lack of pace at the back. Irene Parades struggles against any forward with speed and it was clear Germany were trying to isolate her one v one. Klara Bühl twice got in behind her and right-back Ona Batlle in the first half but failed to take advantage.

Lauren Hemp is likely to start on the left wing for England and she is their quickest player. It would not be a surprise to see the Lionesses look to get Hemp in behind Spain’s right side and directly up against Parades.

Her regular centre-back partner Laia Aleixandri was suspended against Germany but will be back for the final and will provide Spain’s back four with more stability. But it is not just Parades who England should look to target.

While Olga Carmona, who scored the winner in the World Cup final, is a threat going forward, she too can leave gaps behind her. England could have joy on the counter if they can find the right pass in behind the Spanish defence.

Strength in depth

Much has been made of England’s “super subs” at this tournament but Spain have just as many of their own.

Athenea del Castillo has proven to be a fantastic impact substitute, scoring against Switzerland after coming off the bench and setting up the winner for Bonmati against Germany.

Athenea del Castillo (left) impressed from off the bench against Germany - Getty Images/Fabrice Coffrini

Salma Paralluelo also made herself a nuisance when she came on and her pace against England’s defenders late in the game could cause problems.

Spain have a wealth of options and it will be interesting to see what Tomé does with her team selection. Clàudia Pina came off the bench and scored twice when these two teams played each other in June and she has often been more effective as an impact sub. She started against Germany but Tomé may wish to hold her back as a finisher for the final.

Aerial threat

It is unusual to associate set-pieces with Spain but they can be extremely dangerous in the air. Parades scored from a corner against England in the Nations League fixture in June and has also netted from set-pieces in this tournament.

The Lionesses have sometimes struggled when opposition teams have put crosses into their box and, while Spain often try to walk the ball into the net, Parades’s aerial presence makes her a real threat.

Aleixandri and Alèxia Putellas are two other players who could get on the end of deliveries from Spain’s wide players. England will need their centre-backs and Hannah Hampton to be commanding in their own box.

10:53 PM BST

Fara Williams on the BBC

“I feel like we saw for the first time a Spanish team play with frustration at times. That is not like them. They are patient in what they do and they trust in what they do. They were forced to go direct at times. They have improved in that area but you could see it was not comfortable for them. It did take a mistake for Germany to open up a little bit to get the goal to see the through.

“We did see a different side to them. This is the only game in the competition they have faced a real challenge, an intense game. In terms of that level that is needed in a final. Germany gave them that today, so they will be thankful for this game.

“The Lionesses have not been great in the tournament, but they have faced different things like the Germans have and they have overcome them. That is something Spain have not done yet, but today they will take a lot from that game.”

10:50 PM BST

Joy for Spain

Could they be World Cup, Nations League and Euros winners on Sunday evening?

Spain will play England in the final on Sunday - Michael Buholzer/Shutterstock

10:47 PM BST

Fara Williams on the BBC

“If Spain are going to win a game, it will be a player like Bonmati that is able to take the game by the scruff of the neck in these moments and get that goal.

“It was not the best of goals. There was a small gap between Berger and the near post. Bonmati is a clever player, the best in the world. Maybe she did see that late. Seven games without a goal and she would have been itching to get a goal in this competition and she has got it.”

10:45 PM BST

Was it a shot or cross from Bonmati?

Former England striker Ellen White on the BBC:

“We have been going back and forth over Aitana Bonmati’s goal and whether she meant it as a cross. I feel like she looked at Berger and her positioning and saw that near post open and it is a beautiful strike.”

10:44 PM BST

All eyes on Sunday

Spain will take on England in the final on Sunday in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 thanks to Olga Carmona’s winning goal.

10:42 PM BST

Big players step up in big moments

Aitana Bonmati won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2023 and 2024 and has stepped up for her nation at a crucial moment tonight.

Spain are into the final - Alessandra Tarantino/AP

10:39 PM BST

End of the road for Germany

Germany put up a good fight but their journey is over - Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

10:37 PM BST

First Euros final

They may be defending world champions and Nations League winners but Sunday will be the first time the Spanish women have reached the Euro final.

10:36 PM BST

FT stats

Possession: Germany 33%-67% Spain

Shots: 15-22

Shots on target: 4-9

Corners: 6-6

Touches in opposition box: 17-39

10:31 PM BST

Full time

Brand has one last opportunity as she sends in a cross from the right but the delivery is too heavy and that should be it.

There is the final whistle and Spain will take on England in the final on Sunday. They have beaten Germany 1-0 thanks to Bonmati’s late goal.

10:29 PM BST

120 mins: Germany 0 Spain 1

There will be one added minute at the end of extra time.

10:27 PM BST

117 mins: Germany 0 Spain 1

What a stunning equaliser that would have been. Schuller, only just on, nearly picks out the top right corner but Coll gets across to make the save. Coll has stepped up with some big saves for Spain this evening.

10:26 PM BST

116 mins: Germany 0 Spain 1

Time is running out for Germany to find an equaliser.

10:24 PM BST

115 mins: Germany 0 Spain 1

Schuller is on for Germany.

10:22 PM BST

GOAL! Bonmati gives Spain the lead

How has she scored from there? Is that the goal that sends Spain into the final? Germany lose the ball deep in their own half and del Castillo feeds the ball onto Bonmati on the right side of the box. Bonmati rolls and, from a very narrow angle, shoots and manages to squeeze the ball past Berger at her near post. The German keeper should not have allowed that one to go in.

10:22 PM BST

113 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany will be much the happier side right now as they would absolutely have taken this situation before a ball was kicked, especially as they won a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals.

10:21 PM BST

112 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Brand bursts forward from inside her own half into the Spanish half and is brought down cynically by Paralluelo, who is rightly booked.

10:20 PM BST

110 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Buhl is found in space down the left and moves into the Spanish box. He shot is deflected and is easily caught by Coll. Buhl has had plenty of chances tonight and, on another night, may have put a couple into the net.

10:16 PM BST

106 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Patri takes down Dallmann as the latter charged forward and initially it appears the former may get away without being booked but correctly she is given a yellow card.

10:14 PM BST

Second period of extra time

We are back under way. Will either side win it in the next 15 or will we head to penalties?

10:12 PM BST

HT in extra time

One period of extra time down, 15 minutes left until a potential penalty shoot-out.

10:11 PM BST

105 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain have a corner late in this first period of extra time out on the right. Paredes wins the header but cannot keep it down. She was impeded a little by her own teammate Patri.

One added minute.

10:09 PM BST

102 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain are making another change as Caldentey is replaced by Martin-Prieto.

10:06 PM BST

100 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Chance for Spain. Paralluelo sends in a great delivery from the left and picks out del Castillo, who is on the stretch and cannot guide her effort on target.

10:04 PM BST

96 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Kleinherne is being forced off after injuring herself on the stretch and she leaves the pitch in tears. She appears to have injured her hamstring and, if Germany were to win tonight, you would imagine she would not be fit to play on Sunday in the final against England. Lohmann is on for her.

10:01 PM BST

95 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Paralluelo thinks she is in one-on-one but Berger is off her line quickly to come out and smother the ball.

09:58 PM BST

92 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany counter from deep inside their own half and make their way to the Spanish penalty area. Buhl feeds the ball across to Wamser, who cannot keep her shot down and the effort goes over.

09:56 PM BST

Start of extra time

We are under way in extra time.

09:51 PM BST

End of normal time

What a dramatic ending to normal time. Buhl’s effort is deflected and Coll has to back track and make a save on her own line. Wamser then smashes a shot towards goal on the rebound that is saved by Coll again. The Spanish keeper making two huge contributions there.

There is the whistle and we are heading to extra time as the rain comes down in Zurich.

Germany nearly win it at the death - Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

09:49 PM BST

90+2 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Del Castillo sends in a great cross from the right and Paralluelo is on the stretch six yards out but cannot quite reach it. Since coming on, Paralluelo has been in the thick of the action but not managed to take any chance that has come her way.

09:47 PM BST

90 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Paralluelo attempts an audacious flick from a cross from the left but it is straight at Berger.

There will be four added minutes at the end of normal time. Extra time incoming?

09:42 PM BST

86 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Cerci is coming on for Germany, replacing Hoffmann.

09:41 PM BST

85 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany have a free-kick just outside the Spanish penalty area. We are so late into the game now that a goal would surely win it. We have not had a goal for over 80 minutes so a goal now should be enough for either side.

Buhl takes and it goes just wide of Coll’s left post. Coll takes a step to her right, thinking Buhl was going over the wall but instead went the keeper’s side and nearly snuck it inside the post.

So close to a goal for Germany - Alessandra Tarantino/AP

09:38 PM BST

82 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Guess what? Berger is absolutely fine and does not need to go off. Why am I not surprised?

09:36 PM BST

80 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Carmona does brilliantly down the left and pulls the ball back to Paralluelo, who wastes a good chance inside the German box.

Berger has now gone down and I question whether she is really injured, more of an opportunity for her teammates to get a bit of a break and get some instructions from the coaching staff. Even the German physios did not race on, Berger had to shout them over.

Games being played? - Molly Darlington/Getty Images

09:34 PM BST

78 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Just over 10 minutes of normal time left; are we destined to go extra time like last night?

09:32 PM BST

76 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Del Castillo is coming on for Spain, replacing Pina.

Spain are really ramping things up and the pressure is building on Germany.

09:27 PM BST

71 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Pina plays a dangerous ball across from the left and Bonmati is very close to getting on the end of it eight yards out in the centre of the box but she cannot quite get on the end of it. She was inches away from a potential tap-in.

09:26 PM BST

70 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain have had more than 70% possession and, when you consider Germany had to dig deep in the quarter-finals to reach tonight’s game, the game could become harder for Germany as their legs tire in these final 20 minutes.

09:24 PM BST

67 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain are going to make their first change of the night as Gonzalez is replaced by Paralluelo.

09:23 PM BST

66 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Buhl wins a corner for Germany off Batlle, which comes to nothing.

09:20 PM BST

63 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Buhl is found in space down the left and, once she gets into the Spain box, she cuts inside and tries to beat Coll at her near post but the Spain keeper makes the save as the shot was straight at her.

Denied - Sebastien Bozon/Getty Images

Germany are going to make their first change of the night as Dallmann comes on for Dabritz.

09:17 PM BST

61 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany are making good recoveries as Spain begin to step things up but can they sustain that?

Germany are causing Spain problems but are still yet to have a shot on target. You wonder how much longer they can keep their concentration defensively. Spain still dominating the ball without really looking dangerous.

09:16 PM BST

60 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Pina skips past Wamser on the left side of the box before Kleinherne gets across to put it behind for another Spanish corner, which Germany once again deal with.

09:14 PM BST

59 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

That would have been a quality goal from Spain as they exhange a series of neat passes in and around the German penalty area before Bonmati has an effort blocked behind by Kleinherne for a corner, which Germany clear.

09:13 PM BST

57 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany have a couple of corners, one after the other, but Spain deal with the danger.

09:11 PM BST

55 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain are dominating the statistics but the most important statistic is the scoreline and that remains goalless, which will please Germany more than Spain.

09:08 PM BST

52 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Batlle is found on the right side of the box but her touch is a little heavy, allowing Berger to come racing out of her goal. Batlle gets a shot off but Berger is close that she smothers it. Germany are then given a free-kick as Berger stays down but that just felt like a natural coming together.

09:06 PM BST

50 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Brand has a shot blocked inside the Spanish box and then there are appeals for handball, which are waved away. It did hit an arm but only just after the ball had flicked off another Spanish defender and there was no way the arm could be moved so quickly. Never a penalty and play rightly goes on.

09:05 PM BST

48 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

You cannot help but think Germany will regret their missed chances in this match. In the first 50 minutes of this match they have probably created more opportunities than they would have thought but thus far have been unable to take any of them.

09:03 PM BST

46 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany have an early free-kick in this second half and Hoffmann has a great headed chance from the penalty shot but she cannot guide her header on target and it goes wide. She was onside and it was a free header; no wonder she had her head in her hands.

09:01 PM BST

Second half

We are back under way in Zurich. The impact of the benches could be crucial and, considering how many injuries and suspensions Germany have, Spain could have a real advantage there. And, with the way Germany are playing, their players may get tired deeper into this second half as we saw at the end of the first and will need their substitutions.

08:58 PM BST

Former Chelsea defender Josie Henning on the BBC

“Germany need someone who can hold the ball and if you do not have that it is harder to keep shape and move up the pitch as a team. We see there have been some moments, they could have easily been goals, but you do not get them that often so you have to be clinical.

“I think Germany did well in the first 25 minutes. We did well defending and also had some situations where we could go out wide. In the last ten minutes there were a lot of chances for Spain, and one duel that I had my eye on was Carlotta Wamser against Claudia Pina and Pina is winning it 80% of the time. I think changes are needed.”

08:57 PM BST

Former England striker Ellen White on the BBC

“Germany have been able to stifle the way that Spain play. They have been able to get bodies behind the ball and really dig in.

“This is the German mentality though, bodies on the line, wanting to get close and crowd out Esther Gonzalez - they had ten players in their own box at times. It was just the last ten minutes or so where it became stretched.”

08:52 PM BST

HT stats

Possession: Germany 23%-77% Spain

Shots: 2-12

Shots on target: 0-5

Corners: 0-3

Touches in opposition box: 4-18

08:46 PM BST

Half-time

Spain should be ahead on the stroke of half-time. Gonzalez is found in behind and should beat Berger but is denied by the German keeper, who moments later denies Pina with pretty much the last touch of the half.

That is it for the first half and the game is goalless at the break.

08:45 PM BST

45 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

There will be one added minute at the end of this first half.

08:45 PM BST

44 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Bonmati lays the ball across to Caldentey inside the German penalty area but the latter’s first-time effort looking for the bottom corner is saved down to her right by Berger.

08:42 PM BST

42 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Wamser does brilliantly to get a crucial block to deny Gonzalez as she spun and shot deep inside the German box.

The corner is sent in and Paredes hits the post with her header. Gonzalez then attempts an acrobatic overhead kick that misses the target. A series of big chances there for Spain.

An acrobatic attempt - Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters

08:41 PM BST

40 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Pina nutmegs Wamser on the left wing and is then awarded a free-kick. If the referee deemed that a foul, even if the contact was minimal, then surely she thinks it is worthy of a yellow card?

Pina whips it in and Putellas flicks it on. It goes narrowly past the far post and that was close for Spain. A goal kick is given but looking at the replays, it should have been a corner as the last touch came off Dabritz.

08:38 PM BST

38 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

The likes of Putellas and Bonmati have not been able to fully pull the strings in the way that they would want to but Germany will know if they switch off for just one second they will be punished. That is one of the biggest tests for Germany in the way they play; it is not easy to maintain your focus and concentration for the whole game when you are defending so much.

08:35 PM BST

35 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain may be dominating possession, nearly 80% of it, but Germany have had the better chances and their plan is working; sit in and look for dangerous counter-attacks, which they have had, they have just not capitalised on some great chances.

08:32 PM BST

31 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Another big chance seemingly for Germany but the offside flag goes up. Hoffmann is found in behind the Spanish defence and pokes wide as the offside flag then goes up. Looking at the replays, that would have been a very close call had the ball gone into the net.

08:30 PM BST

29 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Great work down the right from Brand and then by Dabritz sets up a great chance for Hoffmann in the centre of the penalty area but it is a wild swing at the ball and she wastes a great opportunity.

08:28 PM BST

27 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Patri is fouled by German captain Minge, who receives a ticking off by the referee, who has laid down the law so far and perhaps has been too quick to give yellow cards so far tonight.

Germany already had suspension and injury issues going into tonight and this will not help as Knaak is down receiving some treatment. Her knee is being seen to and at one point, as it is being felt and touched, she expresses some pain with a little shout of ‘Ouch!’. She is going to try and continue.

08:23 PM BST

22 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

From the second corner in succession, Spain captain Paredes is found at the back post and has a free header but it is straight at Berger, who was busy in the German goal in the quarter-finals and will be very busy again tonight.

08:21 PM BST

21 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain nearly take the lead. Germany do not deal with a cross into their box and the ball comes to Gonzalez, who puts her foot through the ball first time and forces Berger to tip over her bar. Gonzalez hit that ball well.

Here is Berger’s grandfather, who was only supposed to attend the final if Germany make it:

08:21 PM BST

20 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Gonzalez is the first Spaniard to be booked tonight as she takes down Brand. I suspect the reason she ultimately got a yellow was because of her protestations as well as the foul, because it was probably not a foul that deserved a yellow card on its own.

The referee laying down the law early - Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

08:18 PM BST

19 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Sarina Wiegman and her England team will be keeping a close eye on this match tonight, potentially hoping the game goes the distance, not just into extra time but all the way to penalties to sap the energy. England also have the advantage of playing 24 hours earlier so longer to recover for the final having gone to extra time last night.

08:17 PM BST

17 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

We have the first yellow card of the game as Dabritz is penalised for a high boot when challenging for the ball with Caldentey.

Into the book - Alessandra Tarantino/AP

08:16 PM BST

15 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Buhl has spurned a few chances already and she wastes a good position once more. She is found in space out on the left and moves towards the Spain penalty area but she takes her shot too close to the Spanish defenders and her effort is blocked. Germany are getting a lot of joy going down their left.

08:11 PM BST

11 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Patri attempts an audacious shot from a long way out, spotting Berger off her line, but it is off target. Not a million miles wide so worth the effort and what a goal it would have been.

Germany will be the happier of the two sides so far.

08:09 PM BST

8 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany should be ahead. It comes all the way from their keeper Berger with a long ball forward down the left channel and it goes all the way through to Buhl, who has a fantastic chance on the left side of the box but drags her effort wide of the far post. A warning for Spain and Germany will know they need to be taking opportunities like that.

The first sign of Spain’s big weakness there. Irene Parades is not blessed with pace and she was left exposed as Klara Buhl got in behind her and Ona Batlle. That is clearly where Germany are trying to get at their opponents when they do get the ball back. Buhl should really have taken that chance. Germany cannot afford to waste many opportunities that come their way.

Big early opportunity for Germany wasted - Matthew Childs/Reuters

08:07 PM BST

7 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Spain have unsurprisingly dominated possession so far but are yet to carve out any opportunity on Germany’s goal.

08:06 PM BST

5 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

Germany have already crunched into a few tackles and given away a few free-kicks, perhaps wanting to lay down a marker to Spain, saying they will not go down without a fight and will not simply roll over.

Germany are nearly in on the counter-attack as a ball is fed into the left channel trying to find Buhl but Batlle does well covering across to snuff out what could have been a very dangerous moment.

This game has begun in exactly the way we thought it would.

08:03 PM BST

3 mins: Germany 0 Spain 0

As expected, the game has begun with Spain controlling possession and Germany, like they did down to 10 in the quarter-final victory over France, sat deep in an organised structure. Spain, with the likes of Putellas and Bonmati in midfield, will look to control proceedings and an early goal for the world champions would force Germany to alter their plans, maybe not immediately but they would not just be able to sit back for the whole game.

08:00 PM BST

Kick-off

We are under way in Zurich. Who will be joining England in Sunday’s final; world and Nations League champions Spain or eight-time European champions Germany?

07:55 PM BST

Anthems time

Both sides are ready in the tunnel and then emerge onto the pitch in Zurich. Now it is time for the national anthems; “Marcha Real” followed by “Deutschlandlied”.

Unsurprisingly, there’s a strong Germany support in the stadium tonight. We’re not too far from the German border and their fans have turned out in huge numbers all tournament. Something for England to bare in mind if they do get through here. Plenty of Spanish support in the stands too but it does feel weighted more towards Germany.

07:53 PM BST

Reminder of the teams

Germany: Berger; Wamser, Kleinherne, Minge, Knaak, Kett; Brand, Senss, Dabritz, Buhl; Hoffmann.

Substitutes: Johannes, Mahmutovic, Linder, Gwinn, Lohmann, Freigang, Schuller, Zicai, Cerci, Dallmann.

Spain: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Mendez, Carmona; Bonmati, Patri, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina.

Substitutes: Sullastres, Nanclares, Fernandez, Del Castillo, Ouahabi, Martin-Prieto, Garcia, Paralluelo, Lopez, Redondo, Zubieta.

07:50 PM BST

Plain sailing for Spain so far

They have won all four games in the tournament so far, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three. You would imagine the current world champions will dominate possession and are favourites this evening but will have watched the way Germany defended against France in their quarter-final and how France struggled to break Germany down, so will know that even with a lot of possession it will not be easy to take victory.

07:47 PM BST

Germany’s dramatic quarter-final

When the Germans went down to 10 players just a quarter of an hour into the quarter-final against France and then went 1-0 down, they looked down and out. However Sjoeke Nusken equalised and they managed to take the game to penalties, which they won 6-5. Their goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger was arguably the biggest reason why they are playing this evening.

07:42 PM BST

Top scorers

4 goals- Esther Gonzalez (Spain)

3 goals- Stina Blackstenius (Sweden), Cristiana Girelli (Italy), Alexia Putellas (Spain)

2 goals- Michelle Agyemang (England), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden), Athenea (Spain), Jule Brand (Germany) and others

07:36 PM BST

German formation

It’s not a surprise to see Germany start with a back five. They are down to the bare bones due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. The one pleasing thing for them is that Laia Aleixandri is unavailable for Spain, also because of a suspension. That will leave them short of pace at centre back and could be an area Germany may exploit. But we’re expecting Spain to dominate the ball and this feels like their semi-final to lose. They’ve never beaten Germany before but tonight may well be the night for history.

07:25 PM BST

Full team news

Germany make three changes. Kathrin Hendrich is suspended after her red card, along with Sjoeke Nusken, who has picked up too many yellow cards. Sarai Linder has been ruled out with an ankle injury. Sophia Kleinherne, Sara Dabritz and Carlotta Wamser all come in.

Germany: Berger; Wamser, Kleinherne, Minge, Knaak, Kett; Brand, Senss, Dabritz, Buhl; Hoffmann.

Substitutes: Johannes, Mahmutovic, Linder, Gwinn, Lohmann, Freigang, Schuller, Zicai, Cerci, Dallmann.

Spain make just the one change to the side that beat Switzerland 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Laia Aleixandri is suspended so she is replaced by Maria Mendez at centre-back.

Spain: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Mendez, Carmona; Bonmati, Patri, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina.

Substitutes: Sullastres, Nanclares, Fernandez, Del Castillo, Ouahabi, Martin-Prieto, Garcia, Paralluelo, Lopez, Redondo, Zubieta.

07:16 PM BST

Spain’s route to this stage

Group stages:

Spain 5-0 Portugal

Spain 6-2 Belgium

Spain 3-1 Italy

Quarter-finals:

Spain 2-0 Switzerland

07:09 PM BST

Germany’s route to this stage

Group stages:

Germany 2-0 Poland

Germany 2-1 Denmark

Germany 1-4 Sweden

Quarter-finals:

Germany 1-1 France (Germany won on penalties)

07:03 PM BST

Spain team news

07:03 PM BST

The thoughts of Alexia Putellas

“It means the same as it would for my team-mates — a reason for joy. We are going in with a lot of excitement and confidence, and we know that ahead of us are Germany, one of the best teams in the world, and that it will be very difficult.”

On what Spain need to do to win:

“What we have been doing [so far] — and even perfecting it. There are only four teams left, so you have to get as close to excellence as possible, even if it does not guarantee a win. But we fully trust in reaching our best version, both individually and collectively, in order to advance to the final. 

“It will be a tough match, like any semi-final. But we have the utmost excitement and confidence to keep moving forward and make history once again.

On recent defeats against Germany:

“I see it more as an opportunity, not a revenge. I think we are in a completely different competition now, it is a different context, so it is not going to have anything to do with it.”

Will Spain book their place in Sunday’s final? - Maja Hitij/Getty Images

06:58 PM BST

Germany team news

06:56 PM BST

Spain head coach Montse Tome speaking ahead of the game

“The team has made history. These players are destined for greatness. Our [quarter-final] performance was very good against a [Switzerland] team playing at home, which we knew would be a challenge. We managed to keep a clean sheet, which was one of our goals. We are in the semi-finals – objective accomplished.

“Excitement is the main driving force of this team. This is the tournament where we are feeling most comfortable. The players are focused on what they need to focus on — playing. I see a mature team, eager to compete tomorrow. I see a confident team, excited and looking forward to the match — I do not see them nervous.

“It is true that during my time with the national team I have faced Germany five times and we have not managed to beat them, but I feel we are getting closer each time. Now we are at a different point. But Germany are Germany — they have eight European Championships, their essence remains the same, and we are very clear about the game we want to play.”

06:52 PM BST

24 hours ago

This time yesterday the first semi-final was about to take place. England came from 1-0 against Italy to equalise deep into added time before winning the game deep into extra time.

06:50 PM BST

A place in the final at stake

By Abby Rampling

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s coverage of the second Euro 2025 semi-final. It’s a tense game tonight, as an unbeaten Spain goes up against eight-time European champions Germany. The winning team will challenge England, the current title holders, for the trophy in the final this Sunday.

But for now, two international heavyweights are preparing to go head-to-head. Spain have gone undefeated this tournament, with only three goals conceded and 16 scored, but they have never beaten Germany. 

Germany have conceded twice as many goals and scored less than half of Spain’s total, solidifying the reigning world champions as the favourites to win. Despite being yet to claim a European title, they won the World Cup in 2023 and the Nations League in 2024, and are now looking to win their third piece of silverware in as many years.

But what does defeating a team like France a player down send, if not a warning message? During Germany’s quarter-final match against France they made it clear that they are not to be underestimated after claiming victory, despite Kathrin Hendrich being sent off for hair-pulling in the early minutes.

Germany boss Christian Wück said: “I can already promise that we will give Spain a tough battle, just as they will fight us with everything they have. Then we’ll see who comes out on top in the end. I think [the win against France] will give us another huge mental boost. The girls really wanted to prove what they’re made of and that we can overcome such setbacks and come back.”

If Switzerland’s efforts in the first half of their quarter-final match against Spain proved anything, it was that discipline and an organised defence is enough to keep Spain quiet. Now all that remains is to see if the German side is ready to step up to the task.

Safe to say, we have the makings of a very interesting match here in Zurich. Kick-off is at 8pm.

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