Spain v Germany LIVE: Result and reaction as Merino sinks Germany with 120th-minute winner
Spain 2-1 Germany (AET): Mikel Merino score late in extra-time to knock the hosts out of their own tournament
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Your support makes all the difference.Spain are the first team into the semi-finals at Euro 2024 after a drama filled quarter-final against Germany ended in thrilling fashion after going to extra-time.
A tetchy first half saw these two attacking teams stuttering and struggling to get going with the game repeatedly broken up by fouls and a lack of sharpness in the final third.
After the the break though, Spain went ahead with substitute Dani Olmo arriving in the box to turn home Lasine Yamal’s squared pass. That goal opened things up and Germany stressed for an equaliser. It came just before the end of the 90 as Florian Wirtz took a shot on the swivel to beat Unai Simon.
In extra-time there were few chances but a fine switch of play from Dani Carvajal set up Olmo to whip a cross into the middle. Mikel Merino met the ball with a fine header and beat Neuer at the near post. Carvajal was sent off a minute or so later but it did not matter as Spain secured their semi-final place.
Relive the action from Spain v Germany with our live blog below:
FT Spain 2-1 Germany
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos takes in the applause from the home fans. This match is his final one before retirement now that his team are out.
He gives some hugs to his teammates and coaches. The 34-year-old came out of international retirement earlier this year to play in this tournament but now departs the professional football stage.
FT Spain 2-1 Germany
Reaction from Ally McCoist on ITV: “You could not take your eyes off it. The subs were excellent from both coaches, they made real impact.
“What a goal to win it.”
Spain v Germany player ratings: Dani Olmo shines as hosts dramatically dumped out of Euro 2024
Spain beat Germany in a thrilling contest in Stuttgart that ended 2-1 after extra-time, thanks to a 119th-minute Mikel Merino header.
The first half was dominated by fouls and bookings more than free-flowing attacking football, with Kai Havertz scuffing the best chance of the half as Pedri was forced off due to injury and three players received yellow cards (with Toni Kroos somehow escaping one too).
But the second half was a far more exciting affair, not least after great work from Lamine Yamal set up Dani Olmo to sweep the ball past Manuel Neuer on 51 minutes. That goal injected life into the contest, with Germany growing into the game and both teams having chances.
Spain v Germany player ratings as hosts dumped out of Euro 2024
Spain 2-1 Germany: La Roja send the hosts packing from Euro 2024 after an enthralling encounter in Stuttgart
Full-time! Spain 2-1 Germany
120+5 mins: The free kick is collected by Unai Simon and there goes the final whistle.
Despite an extra three minutes of added time and constant pressure from Germany, Spain get over the line. They’re into the semi-finals and have knocked the hosts out of their own tournament.
Spain’s winning streak goes on. Mikel Merino is the hero of the hour, of the night. The German hearts are broken, the Spanish ones jubliant.
What an end to this match. Spain triumph in Stuttgart.
Spain 2-1 Germany
120+3 mins: RED CARD!
Dani Carvajal cynically pulls Jamal Musiala to ground to stop Spain from attacking. He collects a second yellow and gets dismissed. He’ll miss the semi-final for Spain.
GOAL! Spain 2-1 Germany (Merino, 119’)⚽️
119 mins: Drama!
Dani Olmo whips a cross into the box from the left side of the pitch after a Dani Carvajal switches the play. The cross expertly picks out Mikel Merino who leaps highest and turns a header into the near bottom corner.
Manuel Neuer has no chance to stop it. Spain take the lead with 70 seconds left to play.
Spain 1-1 Germany
117 mins: Save!
Unai Simon keeps Spain in the match and the tournament with a wonderful leaping stop to deny Niclas Fullkrug. Germany work the ball into the penalty area, Fullkrug’s header turns the ball towards goal and Simon leaps to the right to keep it out.
Spain 1-1 Germany
116 mins: Nacho has faked an injury after Florian Wirtz jogs past him. The defender goes to ground like he’s taken a hit from Mike Tyson in his prime.
‘That’s embarrassing’ says Ally McCoist on ITV’s commentary.
Spain 1-1 Germany
114 mins: Toni Kroos goes down and wants the game to stop. The referee lets play go on with Spain sweeping up the pitch. Oyarzabal has the ball and tries to curl one into the bottom left corner.
His effort is okay but curls wide of the post.
Kroos now receives some treatment.
Spain 1-1 Germany
111 mins: Germany sweep forward on the counter attack after Jamal Musiala controls the ball on the edge of his own box and slips it to Florian Wirtz.
The two of them fly up the pitch, Wirtz holds onto it too long and the chance to give it to Musiala goes away. Instead Niclas Fullkrug arrives, receives the pass and smokes a terrible effort high and wide.
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