Hosts out
Spain v Germany, LIVE from 6pm
Spain have ended Germany's dream of a home European Championship title. "La Roja" defeated the hosts 2:1 after extra time (1:1, 0:0) in the quarter-final clash on Friday.
Mikel Merino headed home the decisive goal in Stuttgart in the 119th minute after Germany had had better chances in extra time.
Olmo of all people
Dani Olmo (51), who plays for Leipzig, had given Spain the lead shortly after the break, but Florian Wirtz (89) forced extra time with his goal in the final minutes of normal time. Coach Luis de la Fuente's team will now face runners-up France in the semi-finals next Tuesday (21:00) in Munich.
Spain had been unbeaten against Germany in competitive matches for 36 years. This was one of the reasons why the Iberians, who had advanced to the quarter-finals with four wins, were confident of victory before the match. The game started badly for them. Toni Kroos pulled out his leg against Pedri after just a few minutes, but was not even shown a yellow card by English referee Anthony Taylor for his harsh tackle. Pedri, who had injured his left knee, had to leave the field shortly afterwards, with Olmo taking over in attacking midfield. An enforced swap that was to have consequences.
For Germany, Nagelsmann surprisingly opted for Emre Can instead of Robert Andrich in defensive midfield, while Leroy Sane was preferred to Wirtz on the wing. It was no surprise that Jonathan Tah returned to central defense after his suspension. Much has been written about Kroos, who will end his career after the European Championships. It was to be the last game of his career for the long-serving Real professional.
Although it was the Spaniards who made the first approaches to the opposing goal, the hosts were increasingly successful in disrupting the red team's ball strikes. The Germans were certainly going for toughness. The Spanish wingers with super-talent Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were unable to develop. Kai Havertz tried a header (21st) and also shot too centrally from the edge of the box to Unai Simon (35th). At this point, Germany had just under 60 percent possession.
However, the Spaniards were able to contain Germany's momentum. They tried to disrupt their opponents' build-up play early on and hardly allowed anything to happen. Olmo tested Manuel Neuer with a long-range shot (39'), then a contested, largely unspectacular half came to an end.
Andrich and Wirtz came on for Can and Sane after the break, with Nacho replacing Robin Le Normand, who was cautioned with a yellow card. Alvaro Morata quickly had a good chance, but shot over the bar (47'). A simple move ended the deadlock shortly afterwards. Yamal was not properly tackled by David Raum on the far right, and his pass to the middle was shot into the corner by the unmarked Olmo.
Germany had to and wanted to react. Attacks followed immediately and Nagelsmann sent Niclas Füllkrug onto the pitch in place of Ilkay Gündogan. Yamal had to leave the pitch after an hour. They relied on counter-attacks, but Germany were more dangerous. Dani Carvajal threw himself into a Havertz shot (72') and Füllkrug hit the outside of the post after a Wirtz cross (77').
Extra time
Nagelsmann pulled another "wild card" before the final phase with Thomas Müller for Tah and risked everything. After a poor clearance from Simon, Havertz tried a trick shot over the Spain keeper, but the ball went over the crossbar (83'). While the increasingly passive Spaniards made changes to take time off the clock, the Germans finally got their reward. Joshua Kimmich headed into the center after a cross, Wirtz scored and sent the Stuttgart Arena shaking.
Merino tucked away an Olmo cross
In extra time, Wirtz shot just wide again (105'), then Jamal Musiala hit Spain's Marc Cucurella on the forearm in the penalty area (106'). The VAR did not intervene. Germany came closer to scoring, with Simon making a flying save from a Füllkrug header (117). This time, however, it was Spain who were celebrating after a late goal. Merino headed home an Olmo cross. Füllkrug missed the reply with a free header, then Carvajal was sent off with a yellow card before the final whistle put an end to Germany's hopes.
Quarter-final:
Spain - Germany 2:1 after extra time (1:1, 0:0)
Stuttgart, refereed by Taylor (ENG).
Goals:
1:0 ( 51.) Olmo
1:1 ( 89.) Wirtz
2:1 (119.) Merino
Spain: Simon - Carvajal, Le Normand (46. Nacho), Laporte, Cucurella - Rodri, Ruiz (102. Joselu) - Yamal (63. F. Torres), Pedri (8. Olmo), N. Williams (80. Merino) - Morata (80. Oyarzabal)
Germany: Neuer - Kimmich, Rüdiger, Tah (80. Müller), Raum (57. Mittelstädt) - Kroos, Can (46. Andrich) - Sane (46. Wirtz), Gündogan (57. Füllkrug), Musiala - Havertz (91. Anton)
Yellow-Red Card: Carvajal (120.+6/Foul)
Yellow cards: Le Normand, Morata, F. Torres, Simon, Rodri, Ruiz or Rüdiger, Andrich, Mittelstädt, Raum, Kroos, Wirtz, Schlotterbeck (substitute), Undav (substitute)
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