Paris 2024 women's football: Ann-Katrin Berger the hero as Germany beat Spain to bronze

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.

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Berger: We showed what we are capable of

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."