It used to be so predictable. You’d see Spain and Germany on a team sheet and just know the Germans would find a way. For decades, Germany wasn't just a team; they were a mental block for everyone else in Europe. Spain would have all the possession, pass the ball into circles, and then lose 1-0 or 2-0.
That script is dead. Gone.
If you watched the Spain women vs Germany women Nations League final in December 2025, you saw the definitive end of an era. Spain didn't just win; they looked like they were playing a different sport. A 3-0 demolition in front of nearly 56,000 screaming fans at the Metropolitano in Madrid. It was loud, it was cold, and for the Germans, it was probably pretty sobering.
Spain is now the undisputed standard-bearer of the women's game.
The Night the Record Books Actually Changed
Let's talk about the history because it's wild. Before 2025, Spain had literally never beaten Germany. Not once. Eight tries, zero wins.
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Then came the Euro 2025 semi-final in July. That was the turning point. It was a brutal, cagey affair in Zurich that went all the way to extra time. Aitana Bonmatí—who else?—scored in the 113th minute to finally break the curse. That 1-0 win felt like a massive weight lifting off the shoulders of Spanish football.
But the Nations League final in December was different. It wasn't a lucky 1-0. It was a statement.
The first leg in Kaiserslautern was a nervous 0-0 draw. Germany actually looked better there. They missed chances. They probably should have won. But when they got back to Madrid for the second leg, Sonia Bermúdez’s squad just took over.
Who stepped up when it mattered?
Aitana Bonmatí was actually out. She’d broken her leg in training just days before the final. Total disaster, right? Usually, losing a multi-time Ballon d'Or winner would tank a team. Not this Spain.
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- Clàudia Pina: She was the absolute star. Two goals. She plays with this kind of arrogance—the good kind—where she knows exactly when to cut inside. Her first goal in the 61st minute broke the game open.
- Vicky López: Only 19 years old and stepping into Bonmatí's shoes. She scored a curling beauty just seven minutes after Pina’s first. To do that in a major final at that age is just ridiculous.
- Cata Coll: She’s basically a wall. Even when Germany had their moments in the first leg, Coll was there. She doesn't just make saves; she starts the attack.
Tactical Reality: Germany’s Discipline vs. Spain’s Chaos
Honestly, Germany hasn't become a bad team overnight. Christian Wück has them organized. They play a 4-2-3-1 that is meant to be a nightmare to break down. They want to sit deep, stay narrow, and then kill you on the transition with players like Klara Bühl or Jule Brand.
But Spain is just too "slick," as some reporters put it. They had 67% possession in the final. That’s a lot of chasing for 90 minutes.
Germany’s captain Giulia Gwinn admitted after the 3-0 loss that it was "bitter." They put in the effort, but Spain’s ability to rotate players in the midfield—even without Aitana—is just on another level. Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey basically pull defenders out of position until a gap opens up. Once Pina or Lopez find that pocket of space between the lines, it’s game over.
The E-E-A-T Factor: Why the Gap is Growing
If you're looking at why Spain women vs Germany women has flipped as a rivalry, you have to look at the domestic league. Liga F is producing technical monsters. The Barcelona influence is obvious, but it’s more than that. The tactical intelligence of Spanish players from the U-17 level up is unmatched right now.
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Germany used to win on physicality and "tournament DNA." But Spain has found their own DNA now. They’ve won the 2023 World Cup, the 2024 Nations League, and now the 2025 edition. They are becoming the team that knows how to win even when they aren't at 100%.
What’s Next for This Rivalry?
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup cycle, the dynamic has shifted. Germany is in a rebuilding phase, trying to find that clinical edge they used to have. They’ve gone nearly a decade without a major senior trophy, which is unheard of for them.
Spain, meanwhile, is just getting started. They’ve proven they can win without their best player. They’ve proven they can handle the pressure of record-breaking home crowds.
What you should do next:
If you want to understand where the game is going, stop looking at the old powerhouses and watch the Spanish youth setups. The way Vicky López integrated into that midfield in December is the blueprint.
Watch the highlights of that second leg at the Metropolitano. Pay attention to Clàudia Pina’s movement off the ball before her first goal. It wasn't just a strike; it was a 10-minute setup of dragging defenders out of the middle. That is the "new" football, and Spain is the one teaching the lessons now.