A Mikel Merino goal in the penultimate minute of extra time earned Spain a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany, sending them into the Euro 2024 semi-finals and keeping their dreams of a record fourth European Championship title alive. After an intense but goalless first half, Spaniard Dani Olmo took advantage of a perfect pass from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal to give La Roja the lead in the 51st minute. Niclas Fuellkrug hit the post with 14 minutes to go, but with the hosts looking for the exit, Florian Wirtz struck an 89th-minute knockout of Joshua Kimmich to take the game into extra-time.
With the game looking set for penalties, Olmo crossed for Merino, who headed Spain to victory and a semi-final meeting with France or Portugal.
“Well, I’m dead, really. The adrenaline is getting to me now. It was a special moment,” gunner Merino said afterwards.
Olmo said he was “really exhausted”, adding: “It’s a source of pride what a great team we have, how we fought until the end.”
Germany’s elimination ends the hosts’ hopes of a fairytale Euro victory after a decade of poor performances in major tournaments, while also bringing the curtain down on Toni Kroos’ stellar career.
“We played a good tournament, but when you are so close, to be eliminated like that, it is bitter,” Kroos told ARD.
The battle between Europe’s two most successful nations, with three titles each, was billed as an early final, with the in-form Spaniards facing Julian Nagelsmann’s reborn hosts.
Spain named Kroos as Germany’s most dangerous player before the game, but the midfielder had a huge, if unintended, impact early on, clashing with Pedri, who was replaced by Olmo due to a leg injury.
Germany, with the oldest team at Euro 2024, struggled with Spain’s pace during the first half, often getting into tackles a little too late, but the two best chances of the first half went to the hosts – and both to Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal striker jumped highest to head a cross straight at Unai Simon early on and then lobbed a weak shot at the keeper late in the half with only the keeper to beat.
Nagelsmann replaced surprise starter Emre Can with the pink-haired Robert Andrich, while the ineffective Leroy Sane was replaced by Wirtz.
The substitute who would make his mark, however, would be Olmo, who gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half, cutting through the sleepy German defense to play a perfect pass from Yamal to Manuel Neuer in the bottom left corner.
The goal brought Germany into action, with Wirtz particularly dangerous.
The Bayer Leverkusen star connected with Fuellkrug on the counterattack fifteen minutes from time, but the striker, under close attention from the Spanish defense, only managed to hit the post.
With 10 minutes left, Nagelsmann made his final substitution, bringing veteran Thomas Mueller off the bench.
But it was Wirtz – 13 years his junior – who made the difference, heading Kimmich over the grass and into the far post.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who replaced Nico Williams, shot wide of the post in the 104th minute and Wirtz did the same a minute later, with the goal coming.
Germany appealed strongly for a penalty in the second half of extra time after Jamal Musiala’s shot hit Marc Cucurella’s hand, but after a VAR check the original decision not to award the penalty was upheld.
Minutes later, Olmo crossed for Merino, who jumped high to head past Neuer and send Spain into the semi-finals.
Luis de la Fuente will be forced to make changes for Tuesday’s semi-final after Dani Carvajal was given his marching orders for bringing down Musiala and receiving his second yellow card of the match.
Centre-back Robin Le Normand and captain Alvaro Morata will also be suspended for receiving yellow cards, with the Spanish captain receiving a late warning for his celebrations following Merino’s winning goal.
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