Mikel Merino nodded home a last-gasp goal to propel Spain into the semi-finals and knock tournament hosts Germany out of Euro 2024.
Substitute Merino got on the end of Dani Olmo’s cross with 70 seconds of extra-time remaining to silence the crowd in Stuttgart and deny Germany midfielder Toni Kroos a dream farewell on what turned out to be his final game before retirement.
MIKEL MERINO HAS SURELY WON IT FOR SPAIN 🇪🇸
The midfielder makes it 2-1 with three minutes left on the clock 🔥#Euro2024 | #ESPGER pic.twitter.com/F0c7wGZx4U
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 5, 2024
Earlier, Olmo, who plays his club football in Germany for RB Leipzig, had put Spain in front six minutes into the second half of normal time only for Florian Wirtz to snatch a late equaliser for the hosts.
Germany will feel hard done to having created enough chances to have won it but Spain – who finished with 10 men following the late dismissal of Dani Carvajal – had the final say to advance to a last-four clash with either France or Portugal.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann hinted beforehand at a more physical approach from his team in an attempt to knock Spain out of their free-flowing rhythm. And that was certainly evident as Kroos crashed into Pedri twice inside the opening seven minutes.
The Barcelona midfielder was hurt by the first challenge – mystifyingly not deemed a booking by referee Anthony Taylor – and had to limp off to be replaced by Olmo.
Pedri had already come close, firing a low shot at Manuel Neuer after just 50 seconds as Spain bossed the early exchanges. Nico Williams shot wide, fellow winger Lamine Yamal fired a free-kick off target and Fabian Ruiz shot over the bar when well placed.
Germany were being overrun in midfield with Kroos struggling to control the tempo and the recalled Emre Can alongside him failing to make any impact.
It took the hosts 21 minutes to create a chance of note, although it should have resulted in the opening goal. Joshua…
Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/spain-germany-match-report/
Author : Jon Fisher
Publish date : 2024-07-05 18:42:27
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