Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Electric atmosphere as Sweet Caroline sung in Stuttgart ahead of Germany v Spain

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

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 v Germany

Spain’s Fabian Ruiz has been involved in five goals in his last four games in all competitions (three goals, two assists).

He has both scored and assisted in two of his three games at Euro 2024 so far – no player has ever done so in three different games at a single edition of the European Championship.

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:40

Spain v Germany

Germany have scored 10 goals across their four matches at Euro 2024, which is already their joint-most in a single edition of the European Championship.

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:35

Pre-match thoughts from Julian Nagelsmann

The Germany coach said: “It’s not a final, it’s a quarter-final. We want to be one of the teams in the semi-final.

“Spain want to be champions as well, so it’ll be a tough game. Both teams are good in possession, have good counter-pressing qualities and can put their opponents under pressure.”

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:30

Germany left with one regret before ‘the real Euro 2024 final’ against reinvented Spain

It is something that Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t even want to be mentioned around the German camp, but it’s now impossible not to consider.

Would the hosts have been better off had Niclas Fullkrug not scored that 92nd-minute equaliser against Switzerland in the final group game? Might that have been the moment on which the entire tournament turned?

A 1-0 defeat would have put Germany second in their group and on the more forgiving side of the draw, probably making them the biggest force there. It could have been a clear route to the semi-final.

Germany have one regret before ‘the real Euro 2024 final’ with Spain

Niclas Fullkrug’s goal against Switzerland has put the hosts on a collision course with La Roja, yet Julian Nagelsmann’s side retained an aura by avoiding defeat to set up what many believe is ‘the real final’

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:25

Spain v Germany

No host nation has ever been eliminated from the quarter-final stage of a European Championship, with all four previous host quarter-finalists (England in 1996, Netherlands in 2000, Portugal in 2004 and France in 2016) progressing.

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:20

Spain v Germany

This will be the fourth meeting between Spain and Germany at a European Championship, with Spain winning two (1984 and 2008) to Germany’s one (1988).

Their last such meeting was in the 2008 finalwith Spain winning 1-0 thanks to goal from Fernando Torres.

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:15

Pre-match thoughts from Luis de la Fuente

The Spain coach said: “It’s going to be an equal game. It could have been the Euros final and I think it’ll be an even game on a footballing level.

“Germany always start matches strongly, so obviously we’ll try and counter that. We’ll try and take the initiative and go all-out from the first minute.”

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:10

Spain v Germany team changes

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente keeps the same starting XI that lined up against Georgia in the last-16. Lamine Yamal keeps his place in the forward line with Alvaro Morata up top. Rodri anchors the midfield and Aymeric Laporte continues his centre-back partnership with Robin Le Normand.

For Germany there are two changes to the team that faced Denmark in the previous round. Jonathan Tah and Emre Can are brought into the team to replace Nico Schlotterbeck and Robert Andrich who both drop to the bench.

Mike Jones5 July 2024 16:03

Yamal emulating Ronaldo

16-year-old winger Lamie Yamal has provided two assists for Spain so far becoming just the third teenager on record (since 1980) to provide multiple assists in the European Championship after Enzo Scifo (1984) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2004).

Mike Jones5 July 2024 15:58

Nagelsmann on Yamal

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was asked about Spain’s breakout star Lamine Yamal who he called a "talented" and "fun" player in his pre-match press conference.

Yamal looks likely to feature in tonight’s quarter-final against the tournament hosts but Nagelsmann questioned how the teenager will get on when the pressure increases.

He said: "Let’s see how he reacts when things get tough.

"You can’t defend him completely. You have to be prepared for different things. My focus is less on [Lamine] Yamal, more on Jamal [Musiala]. We can do something in attack ourselves."

Mike Jones5 July 2024 15:53

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in