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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Germany beat Spain to Olympic bronze medal</li><li>Gwinn's spot-kick the difference in narrow 1-0 win</li><li>Berger also comes up big with late Putellas penalty save</li></ul>

Giulia Gwinn  scores, Ann-Katrin Berger saves penalty to clinch bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain

Friendlies

Switzerland

Germany

France

Spain

Though Germany came into Friday's Olympic Bronze Medal game boosted by the returns to fitness of captain Alex Popp and goal-machine Lea Schuller, it was Spain that looked the more likely to break the deadlock in Lyon, twice hitting the crossbar. Teresa Abelleira did so first, spotting goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger off her line and trying her luck from a free-kick, before <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/aitana-bonmati-ballon-dor-barcelona-spain-overdue-recognition/blta342d649853bcae4" target="_blank">Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati</a> curled a gorgeous effort onto the frame of the goal.However, it was Germany that secured a place on the Olympic podium with at 1-0 victory, thanks to Giulia Gwinn's composure from the penalty spot, after she had been taken out by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll while competing for the ball in the air. It should have been more comfortable, only for Coll to make amends by denying Schuller from close range a few minutes later, but instead Germany had to thank Berger for her reactions in the latter stages as she stopped a Jenni Hermoso header brilliantly and then thwarted Alexia Putellas from 12 yards with essentially the final kick of the game.

TELL ME MORE

This was Germany's fifth Olympic medal all-time, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/uswnts-olympics-record-how-many-gold-medals-has-the-us-womens-soccer-team-won/1hwncb955vs9l1q88ck7byl3vw" target="_blank">a total that only the United States women's national team can better</a> - and the U.S. will be assured six, as it plays Brazil Saturday in the Gold Medal match.This was one of the most unexpected of that quintet for Germany, as the team came into this tournament having mixed recent results, lost a key player in Lena Oberdorf just before the Games began and it was also in an unconvincing managerial situation, under the interim charge of Horst Hrubesch.

DID YOU KNOW?

It felt fitting that Gwinn won and scored the penalty that secured a medal for Germany, as she has been her nation's best player throughout this tournament. The right-back missed last summer's World Cup, at which the team endured a group-stage exit for the first time in its history, but starred as it bounced back from that torrid time Down Under to get on the Olympic podium in France.

THE MVP

After coming into the Games as the overwhelming favorite for gold, it is a disappointment to see Spain not even secure a medal at Paris 2024 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/why-spain-battling-olympic-bronze-not-uswnt-gold-world-champion-shockingly-short-paris-2024/blt0411d29c091a381b" target="_blank">and it has raised plenty of questions of head coach Montse Tome</a>. From the use of Salma Paralluelo, the lack of action for Alexia Putellas in the quarter-final and semifinal and the constant defensive frailties, all eyes will be on the former assistant moving forward to see if she can rectify some of the issues on show at the Olympics ahead of next summer's European Championships.

THE BIG LOSER

Both teams have qualified automatically for the 2025 Euros, so the focus for the rest of the year will be about organizing and playing friendly matches that will best prepare them to challenge for the title in Switzerland.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐

Giulia Gwinn  scores, Ann-Katrin Berger saves penalty to clinch bronze for Germany in 1-0 win over Spain | Goal.com

Giulia Gwinn secured an unexpected Olympic bronze medal for Germany on Friday as it beat Spain 1-0, La Roja unable to respond to defeat to Brazil.