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Voss-Tecklenburg had set up Popp as a striker instead of Bayern striker Schüller, who had tested positive for the corona virus the day before the game. The captain of VfL Wolfsburg played her first European Championship game from the start in her 116th international match – and was celebrated by the fans after being substituted in the 62nd minute.
A blatant bad pass from goalkeeper Sandra Panos helped the German team to take the lead early on. The attentive Bühl scored a low shot to make it 1-0. The two-time world champion tried to stop the opponent’s ball relay with consistent, but also very exhausting pressing. DFB keeper Merle Frohms then survived two tricky situations because the ball went wide of the goal.
Just as the Spaniards began to open up gaps, the German team struck again. After a corner by Felicitas Rauch, Popp headed in, just like in her best days. The 31-year-old scored like in the first game and ran jubilantly in a full sprint to the German bench.
It was only in April that the 2016 Olympic champion returned to the DFB team after a serious knee injury, and then she also had Corona in preparation – and confirmed Voss-Tecklenburg’s tactics with her goal again, which put the versatile Popp back at the top of the table offensive saw.
Spain continued to run the ball well but lacked the determination of Barça stars Alexia Putellas and Jennifer Hermoso. The world footballer (torn cruciate ligament) and the record scorer (internal ligament injury) were sorely missed by their team.
After almost an hour, the Germans complained to the top French referee Stephanie Frappart because Irene Paredes Popp vehemently stopped on the way to the goal. With Tabea Waßmuth from Wolfsburg, Voss-Tecklenburg then brought in a fresh attacker who threw herself in. Goalkeeper Frohms then steered Maria Caldentey’s ball over the crossbar (71′). In Spain, for example, the series of 24 undefeated games against an extremely convincing German selection broke.