Spain beat Germany 3–0 to retain Nations League title with dominant second-half surge

Published on 3 December 2025 at 21:57

Spain beat Germany 3–0 in the second leg of the 2025 Women’s Nations League final, winning the trophy 3–0 on aggregate. After a tight and goalless first half, Spain scored three times in a devastating spell to take complete control. Clàudia Pina scored twice, and Vicky López added a superb effort as Spain claimed back-to-back titles.

The match began at a frantic pace, with Spain immediately trying to impose their style on the game in front of a packed, expectant crowd in Madrid. They moved the ball quickly through midfield and looked to press Germany high, forcing several early turnovers. The first clear chance fell to Esther González when she peeled away from her marker to meet a through ball from Mariona Caldentey. Esther reached the ball just inside the box and struck across goal, but the effort skimmed wide of the far post, drawing a collective gasp from the Spanish supporters.

Germany responded with promising attacking moves of its own, especially down the right flank, where Svenja Huth and Anyomi combined well. They tried to exploit the space behind Spain’s full-backs, and on a couple of occasions forced Spain to scramble clear. Midway through the half, Germany fashioned their first real opportunity when Lea Schüller climbed highest to meet a cross from the left, though her header lacked power and was comfortably held by the Spanish goalkeeper.

Spain continued to circulate possession neatly, but Germany remained disciplined and compact, preventing the hosts from finding easy passing lanes between the lines. As the half wore on, the tension grew as neither side managed to make the decisive breakthrough. Just before the interval, Germany came close to silencing the home crowd when Nicole Anyomi burst onto a loose ball and drove into the area. She struck early, aiming low toward the near post, but her shot rolled inches wide. With that, a finely balanced first half ended goalless, leaving everything to be decided in the final 45 minutes.

Spain came out after the break with sharper movement and more urgency, clearly instructed to raise the tempo. Their passing became crisper, and they began to find pockets of space that had not been available earlier. The growing pressure finally told in the 61st minute. The ball broke kindly at the edge of the German box for Clàudia Pina, who took one touch to steady herself before drilling a precise low shot into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted, and Spain suddenly had the momentum they had been searching for.

Barely had Germany regained their shape when Spain struck again. In the 68th minute, Vicky López collected the ball on the right, drove inside past her marker and created just enough room to wrap her left foot around a beautifully curling shot. It arced towards the far top corner, entirely beyond the goalkeeper’s reach, and sent the crowd into raptures. It was a moment of pure individual brilliance and gave Spain a commanding 2–0 lead on the night.

Germany attempted to respond by pushing forward further, but that shift in approach left gaps behind it that Spain ruthlessly exploited. In the 74th minute, Pina intercepted a careless German pass in midfield and immediately surged forward, carrying the ball at pace towards the edge of the penalty area. With defenders backing off, she unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that flew past the goalkeeper and into the net for her second goal of the match. The third goal effectively ended the contest, and the German players looked visibly deflated as Spain celebrated.

The final quarter of the match saw Spain manage the game expertly. They slowed the tempo when needed, circulated possession with composure, and allowed Germany few meaningful opportunities to mount a comeback. The visitors struggled to create clear chances, finding Spain’s defensive line disciplined and well-organised. As the final whistle drew near, the atmosphere inside the stadium grew increasingly celebratory. When the referee brought the match to an end, the Spanish players, staff and supporters erupted in joy.

Spain’s 3–0 victory capped a clinical second-half performance and a deserved triumph over two legs. It confirmed their dominance in European women’s football and secured a second successive Nations League title, achieved in style and on home soil.


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