July 5 – In a nail-biting, close contest marked by 16 yellow cards, Spain eliminated Germany and Toni Kroos 2-1 from their home tournament after substitute Mikel Merino claimed a 119th-minute winner in extra time.
Germany bullied Spain off the ball and yet it was not enough. The Germans kicked Pedri off the park early following an unnecessarily physical challenge from Kroos. In the end the Germans can count themselves a little unlucky.
It was a match that morphed from a stodgy first half into a high drama.
The hosts’ physicality in the first half backfired when substitute Dani Olmo put Spain ahead in the 52nd minute. He also provided the assist for Merino’s winner in the 119th minute.
Nico Williams under pressure from Joshua Kimmich
With so much weight attached to the match, the opening phase was cagey, bereft of Spain’s free-flowing passing and Germany’s combinations. Instead, the German midfielders took turns to check Pedri and Rodri in whatever way possible.
Kroos sent Pedri cartwheeling with a mistimed tackle, but English referee Anthony Taylor repeatedly waved away appeals for a booking.
Distraught, Spain’s number 20 was forced off in the 7th minute, making way for the impressive Olmo. Pedri had fired the first warning shot from the edge of the box, but his replacement, with his gossamer passing and vision, was no less of a ball artist.
Antonio Rudiger then clipped Spain’s number ten to the left of the D and the defender was the first player to end up in Taylor’s book. Germany roughening it up prevented Spain from generating tempo, but it was a questionable strategy. Spain began the process of readjusting with Pedri off, while in the 20th minute, Kai Havertz, who was to prove profligate in front of goal, wasted a close-range header from a Joshua Kimmich cross lacked power.
Dani Olmo celebrates Spain’s first goal with Lamine Yamal
After poor marking from Robin Le Normand, who with a booking to his name was not enjoying his…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/07/05/germany-bow-hearts-broken-spain-score-last-minutes-added-time/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-07-05 20:14:51
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