From hospital bed to hero: Bonmatí's goal sends Spain to first Euros final

Aitana Bonmatí began the Women's European Championship recovering from a hospital stay. On Wednesday, she steered Spain to another major final against England.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner scored the extra-time clincher in a 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany and set up a rematch of the World Cup final in 2023, when Spain beat England 2-1.

Bonmatí’s preparations for Euro 2025 were seriously disrupted when the Barcelona midfielder was hospitalized with viral meningitis less than a week before the tournament.

“I wanted to get to this game at my best level and that’s thanks to all the people next to me, who helped me to reach this game at my top level because on my own it wouldn’t have been possible," Bonmatí said.

Bonmatí’s goal created history for Spain.

It was the first win in nine attempts against Germany and secured a place in the European final for the first time.

“I don’t believe in destiny. I believe in hard work, my mentality, and all the support I have received,” the 27-year-old Bonmatí said.

The match was seven minutes from a nerve-wracking penalty shootout when Bonmatí gathered a pass and got past Rebecca Knaak with a clever dummy and turn before squeezing home an audacious attempt from the tightest of angles.

The goal also ended a rare drought for Bonmatí, who hadn’t scored in her previous six appearances.

“It wasn't easy for her at the beginning of the tournament but she has a special personality to be at the maximum level,” Spain coach Montse Tomé said. “She has a huge capacity to create spaces, where she can generate opportunities like today.

“And she managed to overcome the health issues she had at the beginning of the tournament. Good work was done with her to get her back to the level she’s at now, she helps the team a lot.”

Spain is aiming to add the European title to its collection after winning the World Cup and Nations League in the past two years.

To do that it has to get beat defending champion England in Basel on Sunday.

“Tomorrow we will think about England," Bonmatí said. “Now it is time to celebrate.”

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Spain head coach Montserrat Tome and her players celebrate after the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Spain's Aitana Bonmati celebrates with teammates after scoring her sides first goal during the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Spain's Aitana Bonmati scores the opening goal during the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Spain's Aitana Bonmati (6) scores the winning goal during the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)

Spain's Aitana Bonmati celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals soccer match between Germany and Spain at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

TORONTO (AP) — Schools were closed in Canada's largest city of Toronto and commuters faced severe delays on Thursday as heavy snow continued to hammer much of southern Ontario, blocking streets and forcing cars into ditches.

Environment Canada said regions including the Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener and Hamilton are expected to see up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow into Thursday afternoon.

Toronto, York, Peel and Halton Region schools closed Thursday morning, and institutions including the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University announced their campuses were closed.

Complete school closures due to snow are rare in Toronto.

Environment Canada said the Ottawa area will see up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) of snow, tapering off Thursday evening. It added that northerly wind gusts of up to 60 kilometers (37 milies) per hour will result in blowing snow and reduced visibility, and a sharp temperature drop will cause very cold wind chills.

Provincial police advised residents to stay off the roads if possible, and officers responded to dozens of collisions and cars in ditches. Police said there were multiple road closures across southern Ontario, including ramps at the Highway 403 near the Burlington and Hamilton border and parts of Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.

Both Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow cancelled public events Thursday due to the inclement weather.

At Toronto’s Pearson airport, officials said air traffic management procedures were in place and impacting some arriving and departing flights.

Travellers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, where snow clearing operations were underway.

Pedestrians cross Bay Street along Front Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)

Pedestrians, obscured by snow thrown by workers cleaning a work site overhead, cross Adelaide Street along Yonge Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)

Pedestrians cross Adelaide Street along Yonge Street amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)

A cargo cyclist rides along Adelaide Street East amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)

Commuters make their way to their destinations on King Street East amid heavy snowfall and accumulation as snow and heavy winds continue to hammer the Greater Toronto Area, in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (Giordano Ciampini /The Canadian Press via AP)