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:
Spain 1-0 Germany
63 mins: There’s a furrowed brow on the face of Julian Nagelsmann now. He’s made his tweaks and his changes and now must trust his players to execute the updated plans.
Germany have seen more of the ball since they went behind. Spain have been pushed deeper though they want to keep attacking.
Spain 1-0 Germany
60 mins: Ilkay Gundogan and David Raum are hooked off by Julian Nagelsmann as the Germany manager looks to swing the game back in his team’s favour.
Replacing them are Maximilian Mittelstadt and Niclas Fullkrug. Florian Wirtz shoots from range looking to curl one into the bottom corner but his effort is deflected out for a corner.
Spain 1-0 Germany
57 mins: As Germany push higher up the pitch, there are spaces and gaps in their defence for Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal to exploit.
Spain can take advantage of this with the pace they have up top. Germany need to be wary as a second goal conceded could see this match slip away from them.
Robert Andrich fouls Williams and collects a yellow card. He’ll miss the semi-final for Germany too.
Spain 1-0 Germany
54 mins: What that goal will do is open this game up as Germany look to respond. As it stands the hosts are heading out of their own tournament but they won’t go out wondering.
The next goal could be the crucial one in this quarter-final.
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Germany (Olmo, 51’)⚽️
51 mins: Brilliant.
Spain work the ball down the right wing where Lamine Yamal is allowed time and space to operate. He carries the ball forward, brings it to the penalty area then squares a pass along the front edge of the box.
Dani Olmo times his run perfectly, arrives on the scene and slots the finish past Manuel Neuer!
Spain 0-0 Germany
48 mins: Chance!
Big moment. Spain work the ball up to Williams who chips a pass over the box to Lamine Yamal. He brings the ball down, sets himself to shoot then hits a short pass into Alvaro Morata.
Morata spins off his marker then lifts his shot over the crossbar!
Second half! Spain 0-0 Germany
Both managers make some changes at half-time. Robin Le Normand is replaced with Nacho for Spain as Robert Anrich and Florian Wirtz taking the place of Emre Can and Leroy Sane.
Spain get the ball rolling again in Stuttgart.
HT Spain 0-0 Germany
The winner of this match, which could very well go to extra-time and penalties, will face either France or Portugal in the semi-finals.
That game kicks off at 8pm this evening in what is being billed as a battle of generations with Kylian Mbappe taking on Cristiano Ronaldo.
HT Spain 0-0 Germany
Germany edged possession in that half with 53% compared to Spain’s 47%. It was the Spanish who took more chances though and created eight attempts with four on target.
The Germans managed three shots and two on target including Kai Havertz’s headed effort.
Defensively, Antonio Rudiger and David Raum have been booked for Germany with Spain’s Robin Le Normand also in the book.
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