The stage was set in Lyon, as Germany and Spain return from recent semi-final defeats for the battle for bronze at Groupama Stadium.

Germany welcomed back their attacking stars in Alexandra Popp and Lea Schüller, after both players were left out of the squad to face the USA due to injury and illness. Popp was reinstated straight into the starting eleven, whilst Lea Schüller searched to make her impact from the bench.

Alexia Putellas made her way back into the starting eleven for Spain, as Montse Tome opted to swap Irene Parades for Laia Aleixandri in the centre back position.

The World Champions would ultimately taste great defeat in Lyon, as a penalty-spot finish from Giulia Gwinn was enough to see Germany over the line and crowned the bronze medalists of Paris 2024.

SPA: Coll; Aleixandri, Codina, Hernandez, Batlle, Bonmatí, Putellas, Hermoso, Abelleira, del Castillo, Paralluelo

GER: Berger; Rauch, Gwinn, Hendrich, Hegering, Linder, Minge, Nüsken, Popp, Brand, Bühl

It was a fast start at Groupama Stadium, as Germany looked eager from the outset. Jule Brand was involved in an early challenge that saw the forward down with what seemed to be an ankle injury. Despite Lea Schüller looking prepared to come on at the touch line, Brand was fit to continue.

The game commenced in end-to-end fashion, as both sides had their opportunities to strike early. Spain looked the more likely in the 14th minute, as Athenea del Castillo carried possession down the right side. Though her strike was misplaced, as Sjoeke Nüsken swiped the play out and away from danger.

It was Germany who looked threatening next, as Klara Bühl’s footwork trickery saw her nutmeg Hernández before carrying possession inside of the box. A clever cut-back was narrowly cleared away from danger by an organised Spanish defence. Jule Brand was quick to recycle the forward action, but her cross was once again cleared by La Roja.

Germany continued to look fierce as Nüsken slid play out to Bühl down the left side. Cutting in with a clever touch, Bühl was able to get her shot-off before Catalina Coll saved the effort with ease between the goal posts.

Spain began to show cracks in their usual ruthlessness, as del Castello found Salma Paralluelo inside of the 18-yard box. Paralluelo failed to convert after expert goalkeeping from Ann-Katrin Berger extinguished the play at the death.

Paralluelo had another opportunity just moments later, as Spain charged forward on the counter-attack thanks to a line-splitting ball from Aitana Bonmatí through the space. Though the running charge from Paralluelo was snuffed out by the German defence before she reached the 18-yard box, as the ball got caught under her feet before being cleared away from Hegering.

Spain came agonisingly close in the dying seconds of the first half, as Aitana Bonmatí found herself with time on the edge the box. The Ballon d’Or winner struck true, but was narrowly denied by the woodwork. Jenni Hermoso looked to clean up the scraps, but her strike from distance took a deflection from Janina Minge before flying over the bar.

Germany found the first big chance of the second half, as Brand located Minge at the edge of the box. The German midfielder fired her strike promisingly, but Coll was aware and palmed away the attempt to preserve her clean sheet.

Germany would find the breakthrough in the 62nd minute, as Giulia Gwinn chased a high ball on the edge of the 18-yard box before being clattered into by Coll. The Spanish goalkeeper received a yellow card, as the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Gwinn made no mistakes from the spot, firing home her strike into the bottom right corner.

Lea Schüller had an opportunity to put the game to bed in the 70th minute, as she found herself in a one-on-one encounter with Coll thanks to a slicing ball through by Popp. The Bayern Munich forward missed a sitter, as Coll pulled off an impressive save to give a pulse to the meeting for Spain.

The German defence were well-organised as the clock ran down, halting Spain in their tracks as the World Champions attempted to forge the equaliser.

It was late drama in Lyon, as Lucía García was brought down in the box and Spain were awarded a penalty in the final five seconds of the fixture. Alexia Putellas stepped up to the spot in a make or break moment for her nation, score and it goes to extra-time, miss and Germany claim bronze. In another moment of brilliance from the Germany number one, Ann-Katrin Berger denied her at the final kick of the game with a stellar save to claim bronze for her nation.

Despite an onslaught of attacking endeavours made by La Roja, Germany remained strong and composed until the final whistle was blown at Groupama Stadium. The World Champions failed to acquire silverware in their inaugural Olympic Games, whilst Germany regain their form to take home the bronze medal after a triumph in Lyon.