Home » Spain edged host Germany to book Euro 2024 semifinal spot

Spain edged host Germany to book Euro 2024 semifinal spot

Spain beat Euro 2024 host Germany in one of the tournament’s best clashes so far to book the first spot in the semifinal.

Dani Olmo scored first to give La Roja the lead, but Florian Wirtz’s late equalizer forced the quarterfinal into extra-time. When more than 54 thousand fans at Stuttgart Arena were ready for a shoot-out, substitute Mikel Merino headed home a ‘golden goal’ from Olmo’s cross to put Spain into the semifinal.

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Germany 1-2 Spain – Euro 2024 Quarterfinal highlights

Find all Euro 2024 Quarterfinal fixtures here

EURO 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

• Germany outclass Scotland in 5-1 opening fixture
• EURO 2024 RESULT – SWITZERLAND EDGED HUNGARY IN THE OPENING GROUP GAME
• EURO 2024: BELLINGHAM HEADER LIFTS ENGLAND PAST SERBIA
• EURO 2024: SLOVENIA SPOIL ERIKSEN MOMENT FOR DENMARK
• WEGHORST SALVAGES NETHERLANDS VS POLAND
• ITALY HUMBLES ALBANIA DESPITE YIELDING QUICK GOAL
• SLOVAKIA STUNS BELGIUM AFTER LUKAKU GOALS RULED OUT
• WOBER OWN GOAL LIFTS FRANCE TO WIN AMID MBAPPE INJURY
• EURO 2024: PORTUGAL THUMPS TURKEY AMID RONALDO SELFIE CHAOS
• EURO 2024: SPAIN BEATS ALBANIA TO FINISH PERFECT IN GROUP B

This was billed as the ‘early’ final between the pair of standouts from the early stages, who had the best and second-best records of the running tournament.

However, there were more fouls and cards than chances and showcases as Pedri left the pitch within the first eight minutes into the first half for a harsh challenge from Toni Kroos. Later, after the clash ended, Spain announced that Pedri would no longer play for the rest of the Euro because of injury…

oh god pedri, this angle💔 pic.twitter.com/0vhBoyEB9z

— 𝐀𝐦𝐚 (@ama_agyiewaa) July 5, 2024

It even had the nervous edge of a final, with a first half that struggled to ignite, the physicality of a title showdown with 14 yellow cards and Dani Carvajal’s red.

The decisive header was worthy of the occasion, and if you thought this tournament was done with sudden, implausible twists, well, you were wrong.

Olmo provided the opening goal after 51 minutes, set up by the head-scratching maturity of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, and the 2008 and 2012 champ was on its merry path.

Germany improved the attacking quality in the second half after bringing Florian Wirtz to replace an underperformed Leroy Sane. However, after chances and chances wasted, the host took it late to equalize.

Florian Wirtz tied it on 89 minutes, a quick finish inside the post after another fine move set up by Joshua Kimmich’s strong header into the danger zone.

The hosts might have felt they should have gotten back on terms before they did. Super-sub Niclas Fullkrug hit the post. Wirtz chipped goalkeeper Unai Simon after a clumsy error, but it went high, and Kai Havertz headed straight at Simon.

Spain scored the ‘ golden goal ‘ when both sides were ready for another shoot-out. From an Olmo’s inch-perfect cross, Merino jumped the highest to head the ball into Neuer’s net, sending the Spain crowds at Stuttgart into erupts. Right at the very end, after Merino’s stunner, Fullkrug steered the final opportunistic header inches wide.

Toni Kroos looked like a broken man after the final whistle as this was his last game as a professional footballer, what a career he had, but what a sad ending for the legendary midfielder.

Spain moves on to play France, who beat 2016 winners Portugal after the shootout, as GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo also left the stage with Euro 2024 could be his last international journey.