LYON-. Ann-Katrin Berger saved a penalty in the dying moments of the match and Germany won the bronze medal in women’s soccer Paris Olympics by beating the world champion 1-0 on Friday Spain.
Berger repelled Alexia Putellas’ shot in the ninth minute of added time and then raised her hands in victory. Putellas – a two-time Ballon d’Or winner – was in tears as the match ended.
Giulia Gwinn converted a penalty in the second half that made the final difference at the Stade de Lyon
It was Germany’s fourth bronze medal in Olympic women’s football. The Germans won gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games but failed to qualify for Tokyo three years ago.
Spain, who won last year’s World Cup, made their Olympic debut.
After being fouled by Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll, Gwinn coolly took her penalty in the 64th minute.
Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner for best female player, had the best chances in the first half, including a shot that rattled the crossbar. Jennie Hermoso had a chance to score from the rebound, but a German defender cleared it.
Alexandra Popp started for Germany after missing the semi-final due to illness. The attacker was the survivor of the team that won the gold medal in 2016.
Putellas was FIFA’s Women’s Player of the Year and winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022. She suffered a cruciate ligament injury and had to undergo surgery ahead of Euro 2022, but returned in time for the World Cup run in Spain.
