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:
Half-time! Spain 0-0 Germany
45+2 mins: The whistle goes to end the first 45 minutes and neither side has managed to assert their authority on the game. There’s been a continuous tussle for possession and very few good chances to score.
Kai Havertz probably had the best opportunity but sent his header straight to Unai Simon. All to play for in the second half.
Spain 0-0 Germany
45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play in this first half. Nothing to separate the two teams.
Spain 0-0 Germany
42 mins: This match has either been a period of free flowing end-to-end football or slow build-up broken up by fouls and late tackles.
We’re in the latter period at present though Williams gets free on the left and sends a nothing cross over to the far side of the penalty area.
Spain 0-0 Germany
39 mins: Close!
Dani Olmo tests out Manuel Neuer with a fine strike from range. The goalkeeper palms the ball into the path of Alvaro Morata but the Spanish captain can’t control the ball and turn it home before Germany’s defensive reinforcements arrive.
Spain 0-0 Germany
36 mins: Save!
Marc Cucurella gives the ball to Dani Olmo who slips Nico Williams in behind Joshua Kimmich. Williams darts into the box, shifts away from a covering Antonio Rudiger and hits a shot towards the near post.
Manuel Neuer drops to his right and palms it wide before the offside flag goes up. Based on the replays though that was a close one and Neuer needed to make that save.
Spain 0-0 Germany
33 mins: Spain turn the ball over in the middle of the pitch and slip a pass up for Dani Olmo to chase down. Germany’s centre-backs are spread out but Tah manages to scurry across and poke the ball into the feet of Neuer.
Germany then sweep forward and send the ball over to Kimmich but the right-back is flagged offside.
Spain 0-0 Germany
30 mins: Leroy Sane tracks back to help put Joshua Kimmich as Nico Williams drives and dribbles towards the German defence. The Spanish winger flicks the ball into the penalty area but can’t pick out the arriving Lamine Yamal.
Germany look to pass out but David Raum comes under pressure and gives away a free kick on their left wing.
The set piece comes into the area and sees Toni Kroos win the defensive header. The ball drops to Dani Olmo who flicks it up for a volley but Ilkay Gundogan gets in between him and the ball and gets fouled as Olmo kicks the ankle of the German midfielder.
Spain 0-0 Germany
27 mins: Germany win a free kick over on the right wing which is swung into the middle by Toni Kroos. Jonathan Tah gets his head to the ball and nods it down but the second phase sees Spain guard it as the ball bobbles through to the goalkeeper.
Spain 0-0 Germany
24 mins: Well then. With Germany controlling possession, Spain look to advance further up the pitch when they turn over the ball. Aymeric Laporte brings it down the inside left channel and is left alone.
He has a sight of goal and decides to shoot, nailing a left-footed effort at Manuel Neuer who comfortably keeps it out.
Spain 0-0 Germany
21 mins: Close!
That’s the first real chance of the game. Ilkay Gundogan slots a nicely threaded pass out to Joshua Kimmich on the right wing. The defender lifts a cross into the middle where Kai Havertz leaps highest and powers a header at goal.
Unai Simon spies it early and clings onto the ball.
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