Football Daily - Women’s Euros: Spain edge past Germany to set up final against England

Episode Date: July 23, 2025

Jen Beattie, Steph Houghton and Eilidh Barbour join Katie Smith as Spain book their place the Euros final. A re-match of the 2023 World Cup final awaits but what can we expect from Sunday’s game? The team react to a well-matched game between reigning World Champions Spain and eight-time Euros winners Germany. Aitana Bonmati proved the difference, scoring in the 113th minute for Spain but why couldn’t they break Germany’s defence down sooner? And how well have Germany done in this tournament, given they lost their captain Giulia Gwinn in the opening fixture?Looking ahead to the final, how do England find a way to beat Spain? Do Sarina Wiegman’s side head into it the under-dogs? Timecodes: 0’52: Germany’s defensive performance 1’56: Bonmati the difference maker 4’34: A galvanised Spanish team 7’19: Germany’s tournament 12’20: Looking ahead to the final 14’04: How can England counter Spain? 18’06 Sarina Wiegman’s substitutions in the final 20’00: Are England under-dogs in the final?BBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Sun 1700 Euro 2025 Final.

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So it is set. England's Lionesses, the defending champions, will play Spain in Sunday's Euros final, a rematch of the World Cup final from two years ago. Spain beating Germany 1-0 after extra time here in Zurich. Our commentator, Ailey Barber, former Scotland international, Jen Beattie, and former England captain, Steph Horton, with us to dissect that game, Jen, that was really intriguing. Despite a lack of goals, there was two very distinctive styles of play.

And I think first, should we give credit to Germany's defensive display, which held on for so long. I think so and look if I'm England and thinking about the final I would take so much confidence knowing how Germany have defended so incredibly well going into extra time they would have been feeling their legs from their game against France but it's Spain's quality that's eventually gotten them over the edge. They didn't play the perfect game they didn't create any really, really clear cut chances, but the top players step up in the moments you need the most.

And it was the change of pace from Bonmati in the finish. Look, Berger will be disappointed. She didn't save it. No goalkeeper wants to be beaten in their near post. But Bonmati, that's what you needed. You needed a world-class player to do something world-class and that's what she did. And the whole Spanish squad are stood in the center circle

bouncing like kids at Christmas. Aytana von Mati has just been announced as the player of the match and Steph Horton, as Jen said there, a big player for a big moment and it was a magical moment, it was an intelligent moment. Oh, it was unbelievable, I think, for me towards the end of that second half, when Matty started to take control of the game in Spain,

like Jen said, they weren't at their very best, but she was at the heart of anything that they did and how high they were pressing, the balls in and around the final third. But I think for me, it's a great pass through, a great way of pass, but also, it's knowing who you're playing against as well and having that awareness of where the centre-half is and where it is in the game, the state of the game and it's a fantastic turn and I

messaged Ellen White who's doing TV now and I'm thinking has she meant that or is it a bit of a cross shot or whatever we used to call it when Beth Mead made it famous but I think for me if that's a shot and she knows that the the ball. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of

talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of

talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of know, and just that awareness of where the space was to let the ball run beyond her to turn and then to see that little gap at the front post. I think she means everything that she pulls off because I just think she's such a

wonderful player and it's been such a positive for Spain that as this tournament has gone on, she has grown with it after coming back from from spending that time in hospital as every game has passed, she's looked stronger, she's looked sharper, she's looked fitter, and she will, without a doubt, have a huge C in the final against England. What a talent she is. And the rain is now cascading down here

as Stadion Letzigrin. We can see it sparkling in the floodlights. And what you cannot miss, Jen, over to our right-hand side, is the thousands of yellow golden red flags of Spain. The entire team have basically sprinted 200 meters over to the athletics track to be near their fans. I wonder if we need to make the point of how different these scenes are for Spain two years on from everything that happened around that World Cup final. The non-consensual kiss with Yenny Hemoso.

There were so many dark clouds. And yes, it's raining tonight, but it feels different. Yeah. And look, I think the players are they want to talk about football and they want to move past it. And these are moments they have to embrace. I think, you know, the World Cup champions first ever Euro final. This is the generation of players that everyone's talking about. And okay, it wasn't the perfect performance, but to see them celebrate in front of their fans,

take their pictures, have their moment, is just credit to what they're doing as a team, and how they've moved on from that really difficult time off the pitch. It was really interesting listening to some of the players talking about that and coming into this tournament and how happy they were that all the talk was about football again and what was happening on the pitch. And Irene Paredes spoke and

said all that happened and as proud as she was that they were able to lift that World Cup with everything that was going on behind the scenes. She's more proud of how they have galvanized since that time. And I think if you're a neutral, which I know not many people will be a neutral listening and here going into that final against England, but I think if you are a neutral for Spain to lift a trophy with nothing going on in the background to be able to be to enjoy it properly would be something that that would be very deserved for this group of Spanish players. But obviously there is going to be a lot of heart overhead and there will be a huge support for England, undoubtedly, in that final. But this is a huge

moment for the Spanish side and I think it's really nice to see them enjoying it. So how do we assess that football then, Steph? Because as predicted, 70% possession across the 90 and 30 minutes of extra time. They were patient as ever, they were intricate as ever. But the final third, that those moments of quality felt a little few and far between. Was that to do with what Germany's back line were pushing back on? I think you have to give a bit of credit to Germany

in the sense of that I thought they were very disciplined. I think five in the back, it's hard to beat a low block when you're in that position and no matter how much talent you have you're obviously playing against talent as well and in around them areas with the keeper like Berger I thought Rebecca Knack was brilliant tonight as well I think in terms of Germany's discipline and sticking to a game plan and everybody knowing their roles they were very spot-on and yeah of course I think sometimes we can be a bit harsh on Spain because of the way that they play

and the way that we want them to be, and we want them to be fluid, we want them to be scoring loads of goals. But look, you're five games into a tournament where the pressure's on for them to go and get this trophy and they've got themselves to a final. And sometimes like we've seen with England over the last few games, you've just got to win. No matter what, you've just got to get themselves to a final and sometimes like we've seen with England over the last few games You just got to win no matter what you just got to get yourself to the final and

You need some big place to stop to step up you look at Michelle Aggie man for England You look at Chloe Kelly for England and now you're looking at bomb Matty for Spain who managed to win that moment Step up and score it unbelievable goal So we'll look ahead to the final in a moment, but let's just wrap up Germany's performance here. Jen, I mean, firstly, 11 players stayed on the pitch tonight, which does make a difference from their last two outings here, where they've had these inexplicable moments,

red cards, defensive frailties, injuries, everything has been thrown at them. It's felt like an unlucky tournament. And yeah, I think in a lot of ways they felt like they pulled positives out of it. I think they should. I think they're feeling come the end of this tournament should be positive. I think losing their captain and their opening game given that that's a big blow for any team, let alone Germany, who they've come in through this transition, who are inexperienced, multiple players,

as Ailey mentioned, under 25 starting. These are big moments, but I think the way that they've rallied, I've loved watching them, not just on the pitch, all their little moments around it when they rally together, trying encouraging the crowd, going to the bench, getting, they seem like a really together squad, and I think that's what they really need to come to terms with at the end of this tournament.

Okay, they're out. They got to a semi-final, of course, they want to go further and win it, but the positives, the way they rallied, the performance they've put in towards the end against France and tonight, they should be so proud of. That's something definitely to build on for a young team. It is a young team.

And yet one of their standout players was their goalkeeper, Steph and Katrin Berger who has put in numerous stops for them, match saving moments tonight. Jen said it, Ailey said it in commentary, perhaps a little frustration do you think, letting that goal in at her near post? Yeah, I mean, you look at what she's produced this tournament both throughout her career over the last few years and she's always striving for perfection. That's just a goalkeeper's trait, is that no matter what, they're not going to be happy with conceding goals

and I think she'll be no different, but I think maybe when the dust settles and you've had a few weeks off and you're able to kind of recoup and have a look, I think she should be so proud of herself in terms of not just this tournament but the journey she's been on to starting in Euros for Germany. I think we're all a bit surprised of how many caps we thought that she had and she hasn't got for her country that's because of the competition but ultimately she got Germany to

a semi-final and she should be so proud of her performance. And I wonder if we do need to give a bit of praise, Jen, as well, to Christian Böck, their manager, who's come under quite a lot of criticism over the weeks leading into this about what style of football Germany were going to play. Were they mentally strong enough? We saw them being dismantled 4-1 by Sweden in the group stages. And it does feel like they've come out with a different perspective from their fans and from the media in Germany. Yeah, I think, like, from my experience anyway as a player, you try and shut out the outside narrative.

You try not to pay attention and it's very, what's in town doesn't get out and what gets in doesn't get in. And that's the narrative that you always want to stick to. You trust each other, you trust the process, you have to go into a major tournament with that mindset. And that's clearly what you've done. You have to trust your players, trust the staff, trust the methodology. It's huge.

And I think that's shown. I've said it already. They look like a really tight-knit squad that is definitely one to build for the future. I think the way that they've defended over these last two games and still shown a threat up top, the way that Julebrand, Claribou get all the way back to defend for the team, they're young players, they've got huge careers ahead of them still and they've performed still at a major tournament, yes, they've been knocked out against the World Cup champions that have now reached their first champ. That's still so many positives for Germany.

From my very first game, I knew that I wanted to be a goalkeeper. The buzz and the adrenaline that I got from it. The dream was to always represent my country. Marriott, desperate to impress. I can remember saying, I know I've got what it takes. And Cruyff shall say from us... You have to be obsessed. Mary-Eve to the Superchamp. You just look at some of the saves that she makes,

not everyone can do that. I really had no idea really how far I would go. England around down at the deck. It felt like my world was ending. That was the moment. I was in pieces on the kitchen floor. You have to hit rock bottom to understand what you really want.

Mary would put herself in front of anything and feel like she could stop it. I've done something that I've always dreamed of doing. I never knew if I would get the opportunity to do. Mary Earps, Queen of Stops. Watch on BBCI. The Dakar Rally is the ultimate off-road challenge. Perfect for the ultimate defender. The high-performance Defender Okta, 626 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine and intelligent 6D dynamics air suspension. Learn more at LandRover.ca.

The Football Daily Podcast with Katie Smith at UEFA Women's Euro 2025. We finally know, Steph, who are two finalists. Finally. Here we go. We've been talking about it all day. We can finally say it's England taking on Spain. And I almost get a shiver when I say that because the narrative arc is so good in so many different ways. But let's start with the fact that it is a

rerun of the World Cup final from Sydney two years ago where Spain beat England. Psychologically, how do you think England will approach this and how much of that game is still in the back of their minds? I don't think that game will be in the back of their minds, if I'm being honest. This is a fresh slate. There's a lot of new players.

And it's a different route to both teams getting to this final. I think it's totally different when you're in European championships and you've played less games, but ultimately what an amazing final, I think. I'm just so buzzing that the girls are in there. I mean, England in another final for three years, three tournaments in a row, is a fantastic achievement. And to be against Spain, who are number one in the world and

I think for me that in itself is an unbelievable challenge for England. I think you want to be beating the best and you want to be winning trophies and there's no reason with the squad that we have that we can go and beat Spain because you look at what Germany did tonight and other teams have done previously against Spain necessarily not got the wins but in terms of performances and moments they've been able to create problems for Spain and the players that we have in them forward areas, they can create any defense, any problems if they're on their A game. So we know the creativity England have on their day, that's been a slight issue through this tournament, they haven't always performed

on their day, but they've found the answers. Should we start with the back line though for England, which once again felt like it was under a bit of scrutiny against Italy? How do England counter attack not only the pace of players like Pata Uello, the intelligence of someone like Gonzalez, but then you've got that midfield of Bonmatti and Poteas to play through? I think we've got to really play the game in certain moments.

I think, of course, we like to high press, of course, we like to be on the front foot, but ultimately, you can't necessarily do that for 90 minutes at the end of a tournament. I think this is where we have to be really adaptable. And we've done this previously over different tournaments, not going past when me and KB were playing against Germany. I remember we changed formation, we went into a low block and we came away with a bronze medal and ultimately nobody remembers that but we came away with a medal and it changed the legacy of what has happened for the Lionesses. So for me I think we have to be really smart, I think we have to pick our moments when we

go from a defensive point of view. I think it's okay to maybe mix up our variation of passing, I think maybe stretch the back line and allow them to get running back to their own goal. So it's going to be interesting in terms of a tactical point of view and who's going to be available. And yeah, I mean, with Spain, you know what Spain are going to do, so I don't doubt that they're going to change. Katie, you talk about the World Cup final. I'll just take you back to the last European Championships where Spain and England met.

And England, of course, victors in that quarterfinal. That is the last defeat that Spain have had in a European Championships. It came against England. So if you're maybe looking at talking about a game against Spain, Serena Wigman has that one to look at as well. Well, and she has this year as well, Jen. In February, I think it was, Wembley, where England were defensively fantastic and then nicked that goal through Jess Park and they were able to frustrate Spain. No, I think they need to take so much confidence going into it.

Listen, I've said it so many to England that have not got out of second or third year. They've still got so much more potential going into this final. And do I think they can deliver it? Yeah, you're watching the previous results against Spain. They've done incredibly well, been defensively very solid. And I think the key thing for me is they don't sit back into a low block.

They don't collapse. There's a big difference between allowing Spain to have possession and center backs have the ball, but knowing when to jump and when to press. And that's what Germany did really well tonight. But how do they get out of second or third game? Because that seems to be the issue for England is the

inconsistency of which side is turning up in these games. I think you just have to also Speak it into. Presence right You have to just believe it. Yeah and just know that it will come. It will happen. They've said that already they've not played to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're

not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to

play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're

not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They are not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the

final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to

play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able to play the final game. They're not going to be able fans and the media, believing us. Watch what we're doing. We do it every single time. So they've also got the extra day's rest. I was thinking about this earlier. So how are they going to utilize these sorts of little psychological gains? I think we've got ourselves to a final without not playing our best football.

And that's ultimately the scenario that we have. Like Jen said, I think there's so much promise and there's so much of England's form that we haven't seen so far in this tournament, maybe apart from the Netherlands game where they really hit top gear. But I think for me, I think when you're playing for a final, you're playing for a trophy, a game on the line,

anything can happen as a player and sometimes players just love their moments. So for me, I think we have to take confidence of what we've done previously this tournament without playing our best and not be still winning. But do we need to see changes then Steph? And when I say changes, are we going to see any differences in the starting 11 or as everyone seemed to be calling from the sidelines in the stadium from back at home towards Serena Wigman in those latter stages of the second I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point.

I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think that's a good point. I think I honestly don't think personnel

will change that much I think for me the only one that may be bit doubt will be probably Lauren James just because she came off injured at halftime and whether that's Beth Mead which I probably would think it would be I don't think I think she's still gonna use Chloe off the bench I think she's still gonna use Michelle Aggerman off the bench. I think she's still going to use Michelle Aguiman off the bench. So to answer your question, probably maybe only one change, if I'm being honest. I wonder how much Aguiman will be licking her lips, Jen, to get in a European final at the age of 19, considering everything she's done for us so far. But just to get a bit physical, getting in amongst that Spanish backline

that we said again today was being ruffled a little bit. She's the perfect player to bring off a bench in those moments if if England do end up chasing the game and do have a bit more possession in later stages to bring a player like Michelle Adjiman off the bench. She's perfect, she'll cause chaos in a box, she's got such strength and she's a goals scorer and she's proven that within such a short space of time. Very few number of caps, she's proven what she can do and it's working so far. Serena Vigman brings her off okay people could argue it could be earlier but she's still in the time given, still delivering. I also wonder and Steph you come in first and Jen will get your thoughts as well, whether England will see this as perfect opportunity

to be the underdogs. It feels like throughout so much of this tournament, as a defending champion, of course, you can't be an underdog. But against Spain, I think they like to do that, Steph. And I wonder if we're talking about them not getting out of second, third gear, maybe that will be the way that they can do that.

Maybe that will be the way that they can do that? Potentially, and I hope they do see themselves with the ability to go and play the way that we want to play. I think that's first and foremost, you've got to play free. You've got to do what you've done throughout everyone's England career. And yeah, I think going in this tournament, I think we all probably did predict that spin. We're going to get to the final and potentially win just because of what they've achieved over the last couple of years. I think the facts are

there in terms of how they've performed, how consistent they've been in the players that they have. But I think for me, I think this tournament just shows how funny football can be and how many surprises there can be. So whether England are the underdog or not. Am I being unfair? Is that a disservice do you think? You know what I'm thinking about it now and I being unfair? Is that a disservice do you think? You know what I'm thinking about it now and I'm thinking the route that we've done to get to this final I just don't think we can call ourselves the underdog if I'm being honest just because of the wins that we're getting but I understand the narrative around it because Spain have

been so good but for me I think now I think this is just about enjoying it as much as possible putting that England shirt on and just giving it absolutely everything, which the girls have done every single game this tournament so far. I can definitely see where Steph's coming from. At the end of the England we're in group D, group of death, really hard, hard games early on. But I think the best thing that could have happened for me from an England perspective was that loss against France early doors. I think they've grown into it. And yes, their route has been a little bit different to other teams on the other side of the draw.

But look, I still think going into this game, the pressure is, I agree with what you're saying. I think it's off England a little bit. Spain will go into this game favorites because of how they've been scoring goals regardless, but England can still have so much confidence from how Germany have played, how England have grown as this tournament and still have gears to go up. And just one more thought to throw in on that theme, Steph. Let's go back to the Champions

League final, right? It's felt like a similar situation when Arsenal played Barcelona, probably at the more extreme end. We look at how many of the Arsenal players are in the England squad. We look at how many of the Barcelona players are in the England squad. We look at how many of the Barcelona players are in the Spain squad. Yes, you know, Caldente is a Champions League winner with Arsenal, but I remember when we spoke to some of the players before the tournament, the likes of Hannah Hampton saying they felt inspired.

You know, Chelsea players felt inspired by what Arsenal did and that underdog mentality that they carried so well to victory. And I just wondered, do you think that could play a part in this final? Yeah, I mean, if going off experience and it worked for Arsenal this year in terms of not many people really spoke about Arsenal having as much chance as Barcelona just because of the team and the calibre of players that they have and the fact that they play this beautiful football not that Arsenal don't but in a Champions League setting and these world-class players that have won Ballon d'Ors, it does point more towards, in this instance,

Spain winning because of them players. So I think for me, I think, I understand it, I think if you're in that bubble and maybe you do hear that, you're probably thinking right, okay, the pressure is off a little bit. But once you cross that right white line, it's a totally different feeling as a player and even worse for us, working probably the games, it'll be even worse on Sunday. Steph, thank you so much for joining us this evening. Steph Horton with us, former England captain. And Jen and Ailey, what a game we've just witnessed. What a game indeed.

And it took nearly all, 120 minutes of it to get a winner. And I mean, two contrasting styles you've got a feel for Germany the work rate the effort everything that they put into that game you felt like they were gonna thwart every moment but it's just that little bits of genius that Spain have those little moments where they're able to create something out of nothing I just saw a replay back of it and it's just it's just the awareness of Bomatit, to let the ball run through our legs and spin into that space. And those are the little

moments that separate the world-class players from the rest. And unfortunately for Germany, the world-class player tonight was on the Spanish side, but they're delighted and they're celebrations. And like I say, it's great to see them enjoy it and get through to their first ever final. And do you know what? It's just going to be a cracking final. One game to go. England against Spain on Sunday afternoon. It is a five o'clock kick off the European final, a rerun of the World Cup final.

England's Lionesses, the defending champions, can they do it? Can they defend their crown? Full live commentary on 5 Live and BBC Sound. MUSIC On BBC Sounds, this is sports strangest crimes. From the man who tried to buy cricket... One night, one game, winner take-off, 20 US million dollars. The kidnap of game, winner takeoff, $20 million.

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