Spain reach Nations League final v France and qualify for Olympics

Germany's players Alexandra Popp (2nd L) and Lea Schueller (2nd R) react after France's score their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Nations League Semi-Final soccer match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

World champions Spain beat the Netherlands 3-0 to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics and reach the women's Nations League final where they will face France, who defeated Germany 2-1 in the other semi-final on Friday.

Jenni Hermoso gave Spain a 41st-minute lead past two defenders into the bottom right corner, and Women's Footballer of the Year Aitana Bonmati fired the second on the stroke of half-time in Seville.

Ona Batlle wrapped up matters in the 77th when she poked home after having a first effort blocked.

France, who are directly entered for the Olympics as hosts, beat Germany for the first time at a major tournament in Lyon to reach the Seville final on Wednesday.

Like Spain, they went two goals up in the closing stages of the first half, from the lively Kadidiatou Diani and Sakina Karchaoui's penalty.

But they then had to sweat it out after Giulia Gwinn revived German hopes with an 82nd-minute penalty, and Jule Brand missed a stoppage-time equalizer when she fired over.

"We made too many mistakes in the first half. In the second half we did want we wanted to do from the start but didn't score. We started too late, the second goal broke our neck," Germany interim coach Horst Hrubesch told broadcasters ARD.

Germany missed the final but still have a chance to qualify for the Olympics, with the remaining European berth decided in their match for third place against the Dutch on Wednesday in Heerenveen.

"It will be an interesting game. We have to play like in the second half today," Hrubesch said.

France's Kadidiatou Diani (2nd R) celebrates her side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Nations League Semi-Final soccer match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
France's players celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Nations League Semi-Final soccer match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa
France's Kadidiatou Diani (L) celebrates with teammate Elisa de Almeida (2nd L) after her goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League Semi-Final soccer match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium. Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/dpa

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