Following two contrasting semifinal encounters, both Spain and Germany are set to compete for the UEFA Women’s Nations League championship, with the defending world champions aiming to retain their title won last year.
La Roja managed to dispatch Sweden convincingly over two matches, achieving a cumulative score of 5-0, while Germany had to endure a tense battle to narrowly defeat last year’s finalists France, securing a 1-0 victory in Düsseldorf in the first leg and following it up with a 2-2 draw in Caen to clinch their spot in the final.
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Both Sweden and France will compete for third place concurrently with the two-legged final. Our ESPN reporters, Samuel Marsden and Julien Laurens, offer their insights on the upcoming matches.
Spain wraps up victory over Sweden, preparing for final test
There were encouraging signs both on and off the field as new Spanish coach Sonia Bermúdez oversaw a commanding 5-0 aggregate triumph against Sweden during her initial matches in charge.
The significant impact was made in the first leg, where Spain put on a stellar performance in Malaga. Alexia Putellas and Clàudia Pina both netted braces, marking an impressive start to the Bermúdez era with a four-goal win. Tuesday’s win in Gothenburg, thanks again to a goal from Putellas, reaching her 40th for Spain, was less aesthetically pleasing, but winning away against the world’s third-ranked team was no simple task.
Some key narratives emerged even before the games kicked off under Bermúdez, with returns for Barcelona defender Mapi León and Tigres forward Jenni Hermoso. León’s reintegration was particularly noteworthy, as she was among the last players considering stepping back from international duty in 2022 to make her return.
Prior to both matches against Sweden, she hadn’t played for her nation since the Euro 2022 quarterfinal loss to England. Her comeback serves as further validation that this Spanish team, which has performed notably amid a struggle with their federation for enhanced conditions, is on the path to recovery.
Bermúdez provides a refreshing departure from the previous regime, taking over from Montse Tomé, who had moved up after assisting Jorge Vilda. The early signs are promising, with players appreciating her international experience — 61 caps with Spain, her last in 2017 — along with her overall journey in the sport.
«The key has been our communication with Sonia thus far,» stated Barça’s Laia Aleixandri.
«This marks the beginning of a new chapter. She comprehends us really well. It’s evident she understands the perspective from the other side, which is crucial. We have established a strong connection with her.»
However, with the quality of players at her disposal, Bermúdez will ultimately be evaluated based on results. Furthermore, she may also eventually face the necessity of a generational change. Putellas, León, Hermoso, and Irene Paredes are all 30 or older, and while they aren’t slowing down significantly at the moment, younger talents are eager for playing opportunities.
Bermúdez provided a full debut to 17-year-old midfielder Clara Serrajordi on Tuesday, while 19-year-olds Vicky López and Lucía Corrales saw action last Friday.
But those concerns can be addressed later. Spain, as the defending world champions and Nations League titleholders, will enter the final against Germany as favorites, having defeated them in last summer’s Euros semifinal before ultimately falling to England.
With the second leg hosted at Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, they will also have the opportunity to secure another trophy in front of what could be a record attendance for the national team on home turf. — Samuel Marsden
Germany asserts itself as France’s nemesis
The German squad confirmed their position as France’s nemesis, continuing their dominance as witnessed in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups and the 2022 and 2025 Euros.
In the absence of the injured Marie-Antoinette Katoto, France coach Laurent Bonadei opted to start Melvine Malard, the Manchester United attacker, instead of Clara Mateo or Kadidiatou Diani as the central striker to catch the adversaries off guard.
It was a rare starting opportunity for her, and it proved effective for three minutes until Malard netted the opener.
However, despite holding more possession (60% to 40%), more shots on target (six to two), and generating more clear-cut chances (three to none), Malard and her team couldn’t breach the steadfast German defense and Stina Johannes, who was in goal. The French will likely harbor regrets for not capitalizing on significant opportunities with both Malard and Diani.
In contrast, their opponents were exceptionally efficient in front of goal, scoring two goals from just two shots on target, thanks to Nicole Anyomi and Klara Bühl, marking her 30th goal in her 74 appearances. France’s victory against Germany in February 2024 in the Nations League — their first win against them outside of friendlies — hasn’t changed anything.
The advantage still sways towards the Frauenteam. They clearly maintain a psychological edge and consistently capitalize on it in competitions against the French. Following the Euros, Bonadei has again faced disappointment in his second tournament attempt to lead France to a significant final.
He and his squad will now observe Germany challenge Spain in the Nations League finals. — Julien Laurens
