Ann-Katrin Berger was the star of the show as Germany beat Spain 1-0 to win bronze in women's football at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on Friday, 8 August in Lyon.

A second-half penalty from Germany's Giulia Gwinn, after Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll was penalised for a collision inside the area, was the difference.

Lea Schuller came close to doubling the lead towards the end of the game, but Coll atoned with a magnificent save to maintain a one-goal deficit.

Up against it, the Spaniards threw everything at the opposing goal, only to be met by a wall in the form of German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger, who has been her side's saviour on more than one occasion in this tournament.

The 33-year-old Berger denied Alexia Putellas from the spot with seconds left on the clock to ensure Germany's win.

The result meant that reigning world champions Spain failed to make the podium in their Olympic Games debut.

Germany's Bronze Medal Hero

Berger's heroics in goal have been a staple of Germany's success at Paris 2024.

But the penalty save against Spain was arguably her most important contribution.

"I looked for my goalkeeper coach but he was nowhere to be seen!" she said when asked about the lead-up to Putellas's spot-kick.

"I had to save it by myself."

After a disappointing showing at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, a bronze was a great way for the Germans to bounce back and show they can still compete at the highest level.

"We had some injuries, we had some infections, we had everything," Berger said.

"The belief from the coach [Horst Hrubesch] that every single person can actually do the job — I think that's why we won the bronze medal," she said.

"We just showed what we are capable of, and now we want more."

Spain vs Germany: How The Match Played Out

The match started evenly, with both teams pressing high and looking to create chances. Spain had a couple of early shots on goal, but they were unable to find the back of the net.

Germany were more effective in the second half, and they took the lead in the 63rd minute when Giulia Gwinn converted a penalty after Cata Coll was adjudged to have fouled her inside the box.

Spain threw everything at Germany in the final minutes, but they were unable to find an equalizer. Ann-Katrin Berger made a number of crucial saves, including a penalty stop in the final seconds of the game, to secure the victory for Germany.

Germany's Resilience

Germany's win is a testament to their resilience and determination. They were missing a number of key players due to injuries and illness, but they still managed to fight their way to the bronze medal. Their goalkeeper, Ann-Katrin Berger, was the hero of the day, and she will be remembered for her incredible performance.

Spain's Disappointment

Spain will be disappointed with their performance in the bronze medal match. They were the favorites to win the game, but they were unable to overcome a stubborn German defense. They will be looking to bounce back at the next World Cup, but they will need to improve their finishing if they want to achieve success.

Looking Ahead

Germany's bronze medal is a sign that they are still a force to be reckoned with in women's football. They will be looking to build on this success in the years to come, and they will be hoping to challenge for the gold medal at the next Olympic Games.

Spain will be disappointed with their performance, but they are still a young and talented team. They will be looking to bounce back at the next World Cup and they will be looking to make their mark on the world stage.

The Olympic Games Paris 2024 was a great success for women's football. We saw some exciting matches, some incredible goals, and some truly inspiring performances. We can only hope that the next Olympic Games will be even better.