Spain took on Germany for the chance of a bronze medal in the Women’s football at the Olympics on Friday.
Here’s what happened.
Cata Coll error proves costly as Germany take bronze medal
Scorers: Gwinn (PEN) 65′
Germany have taken the bronze medal at the Olympics, with a 1-0 win despite a late penalty awarded to Spain.
Horst Hrubesch’s side started well with attempts for Jule Brand and Klara Bühl, but it was Spain that had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Although Germany stopper Ann-Katrin Berger had made some saves in the first half, there was nothing she could’ve done about a beautiful curling effort from Aitana BonmatÃ, that just dipped a fraction too late as the shot crashed against the bar.
Only a big deflection stopped Jenni Hermoso from scoring with the follow-up, and Spain could consider themselves unlucky not to be ahead at half-time.
Out of nowhere, Germany had a penalty when Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll bizarrely clashed into Giulia Gwinn instead of punching the ball clear. Gwinn looked nervous when she stepped up to take her own penalty, but in actual fact converted with ease.
Cata Coll was called into action shortly afterwards, getting down well to stop the one-on-one situation with Lea Schüller.
Spain were not ready to lie down, and when Olga Carmona whipped in a delightful cross for Hermoso, only a brilliant save from Berger prevented the equaliser.
With just ten seconds of normal time remaining, Spain were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box, but Berger pulled off a huge save from Alexia Putellas to secure the bronze medal in the most dramatic of circumstances.
That was Berger’s third penalty save overall in the Olympic tournament.
Source Agencies
