In the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 semifinal, Spain defeated Germany 1–0 thanks to a dramatic goal in the 113th minute. But this match was more than just a win — it was a real test of Spain’s football style and identity.
1. Before the Match: Two Very Different Styles
| Stat | Spain (Avg.) | Germany (Avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4.0 | 1.5 |
| Shots | 24.5 | 17.0 |
| Shots on Target | 8.0 | 4.25 |
| xG | 3.21 | 2.09 |
| Big Chances | 4.0 | 2.75 |
| Possession | 74.3% | 54.8% |
| Pass Accuracy | 88.8% | 75.8% |
- Spain: A team that controls the game with high possession and clean passing
- Germany: A team that presses hard, defends well, and tries to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm
2. Match Day Data – A Day Spain’s Possession Was Broken
| Period | Spain Possession | Shots | On Target | xG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Half | 77% | 12 | 5 | 1.90 |
| 2nd Half | 63% | 5 | 2 | 0.49 |
| Extra Time | 58% | 5 | 2 | 0.65 |
| Total | 66% | 22 | 9 | 2.23 |
- Spain usually controls over 74% possession, but this time it dropped to 66% — a sign that they struggled to play their usual tempo.
- Germany attacked more in the second half and extra time, with 13 of their 15 shots coming in that period.
- Spain’s xG in the second half was only 0.49, far below their average of 3.21.
Defensive Stats of Germany
| Category | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Extra Time | Comparison & Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tackle Success Rate | 57% | 44% | 64% | Similar or higher than Spain (75%, 43%, 43%), showing consistent defensive pressure |
| Clearances | 11 | 13 | 10 | Significantly more than Spain, actively clearing danger from critical areas |
| Interceptions | 7 | 1 | 3 | Effectively disrupting Spain’s passes, controlling the flow of the game |
| Save | 5 | 2 | 1 | The goalkeeper made crucial saves |
👉 This match was proof that Germany successfully broke Spain’s rhythm and controlled the game on their terms.
Graph Explanation
1) Consistent shot attempts & high xG
- The graph shows Spain’s cumulative xG rising quickly after around the 40th minute in the first half and again in early extra time.
- This means Spain had many shots and created strong scoring chances during these times.
2) Fewer shooting chances in the middle of the second half
- However, after the middle of the second half, the cumulative xG almost stopped rising, which means Spain’s shooting chances decreased.
- This shows how Germany’s strong defense reduced Spain’s chances, which is why Spain scored only one goal.
3. Athenea: A Game-Changing Substitution
| Player | Subbed In | Assist | Dribbles (Success) | xG Involvement | Touches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athenea del Castillo | 77th min | 1 | 4 (1 success) | 0.5 | 26 |
- Athenea entered the game with just over 40 minutes left and made the key assist.
- Her quick reaction and smart pass gave Aitana Bonmatí the space she needed to score the winning goal.
- One moment of brilliance changed everything.
4. Why Was It So Difficult?
👉_This part reflects my own opinion and interpretation._
(1) Grass Surface – Spain Lost Their Rhythm
- This was Spain’s first match on natural grass in the tournament. All previous games were on artificial turf.
- On natural grass, the ball moves differently, and players need to adjust their speed and touches.
- Since Spain’s game relies on sharp passing and rhythm, I believe the grass made it harder for them to play smoothly.
(2) Germany’s Tactical Response – Breaking Down Spain’s Style
- In the second half, Germany pressed harder in midfield and closed passing lanes.
- With 64 clearances, 44% tackle success, and 13 interceptions, they clearly came prepared to defend as a team.
- I think Spain’s lower possession (66%) was the result of Germany’s pressure — and a shock to a team used to total control.
(3) Low Finishing & Fatigue – So Many Shots, Only One Goal
- Spain had 22 shots and 9 on target, but just one goal.
- Compared to their usual 4 goals per game, this was clearly below their usual standard.
- With the match going into extra time, tired legs affected their finishing and focus.
- Germany’s physical defending also wore them down.
5. One More Thing – England Is More Dangerous, but Weaker in Defense
| Stat | Germany(Avg) | England(Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1.5 | 3.25 |
| Expected Goals | 2.09 | 2.92 |
| Big Chances | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| Goals Conceded | 1.17 | 1.83 |
| xG Conceded | 1.21 | 1.52 |
- England plays with a more attacking and aggressive style. They create more big chances and score more goals than Germany.
- However, their defense is weaker. They allow more chances and concede more goals.
- If England tries to break Spain’s possession like Germany did, they may leave more space behind their defense.
- 👉 Spain needs to do more than defend. They should try to quickly attack England’s weak defense when they get the chance.
Final Thoughts: Spain’s Control Was Broken — But Talent Won the Day
Spain couldn’t play their usual game — but Athenea and Aitana’s individual brilliance saved them.
The final against England will be even tougher. England is more aggressive and scores more.
So now, the key question is:
"Can Spain get their rhythm back?"
🙋♀️About Me
Hi, I’m Marina Kim (Eunji), a sports data content creator learning and sharing football stories through data.
Tools: Python, pandas, matplotlib, Seaborn
Data Source: Flashscore, fbret
Github: https://github.com/k-eunji/ger_es_sf
I’m open to new opportunities in sports data and content creation. Let’s connect if you’re interested!
Sure! Here’s the title and table in English as you requested:
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