Spain escapes Germany with 0-0 draw in first leg of Women's Nations League final

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KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AP) — Spain escaped Germany with a scoreless draw in the first leg of their Women’s Nations League final on Friday.

The title will be decided in Madrid on Tuesday at the home stadium of Atletico Madrid.

Only Cata Coll’s saves — and the woodwork — kept Germany at bay.

“The result is positive and we will see them again in the Metropolitano (Stadium),” Coll said. “This is Germany. We knew they would be dangerous and have their chances. Fortunately, they didn’t put them in."

Germany dominated the first half in Kaiserslautern in front of 40,000 spectators as world champion Spain was unrecognizable.

Normally masters of possession, the Spaniards continually lost the ball under Germany’s pressure. Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was missing in action as Spain hunkered down in its area.

Coll deflected shots by Franziska Kett and Klara Bühl and defender Irene Paredes cleared a Jule Brand’s goal-bound strike in quick succession around the half-hour mark when the hosts were at their best.

Spain improved in the second half but Sara Bermúdez’s side was still lucky to not fall behind in its bid to defend its Nations League title.

Alexia Putellas curled a shot just by the post then Esther González volleyed a cross by Mariano Caldentey off the woodwork in the 53rd.

But Germany remained dangerous as the game became an exchange of blows with neither midfield able to control the pace. Bühl sent a low shot off the bottom of the post in the 70th and a Brand cross clipped the bar moments later.

“Everyone who saw today’s match knows that we didn’t just keep up but played really well,” Germany defender Janina Minge said. "If we can convert our chances and keep defending as we did we can get the win on Tuesday.”

Spain’s first ever victory over Germany came at the 2025 European Championship semifinals where Bonmatí scored in extra time.

Spain has reached the finals of the last four major tournaments. It beat England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup and bettered France in the 2024 Women’s Nations League. It fell to England on penalties in the Euros 2025 final.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer