Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll made a string of impressive saves as Germany were held to a goalless draw by the World Cup holders in the first leg of the Women’s Nations League final.
Coll was comfortably the busier of the two goalkeepers at Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Kaiserslautern as she thwarted the hosts on several occasions.
Nicole Anyomi fired an early shot just past the post for Germany before Coll kept out Klara Buhl’s close-range effort from a tight angle.
Shortly before the half-hour mark Barcelona’s Coll was called into action to deny Franziska Kett with her legs, then Spain captain Irene Paredes cleared a Jule Brand shot off the line.
Spain began the second half with more intent and eight minutes after the interval Esther Gonzalez hit the post after she got on the end of Mariona Caldentey’s cross.
However, Buhl continued to carry the attacking threat for Germany and she too struck the woodwork with a low drive from the edge of the box midway through the second half.
Germany squandered another chance to win it in stoppage time when Coll blocked an effort from Sjoeke Nusken and the ball fell to Shekiera Martinez, but she could only fire wide.
The teams will meet again in the second leg on Tuesday, 2 December at Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid.
