Merino nets dramatic header in extra-time as Spain unload hosts Germany out

Spain exchange Mikel Merino condemned host country Germany to an agonising Euro 2024 quarter-final go out with the last-gasp winner in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory in Stuttgart for the three-time Ecu champions.

Merino popped up within the 119th minute to energy a header into Germany’s web from a fantastic pass from Dani Olmo, who had fired Spain forward on 51 mins when he slammed a excellent Lamine Yamal cross into the web.

Germany ruled the second one part and deservedly equalised on 89 mins when Florian Wirtz tucked the ball in off the submit from a Joshua Kimmich header.

The sport appeared destined for consequences with probabilities at each ends, nevertheless it was once left to Luis de L. a. Fuente’s Spain – who had Dani Carvajal despatched off within the last seconds of extra-time for a 2nd reserving – to have the overall say to protected a semi-final assembly with France or Portugal.

In the meantime, Germany are left to replicate on what may were as they develop into the primary host country to go out the Ecu Championship on the quarter-final degree.

In a frantic quarter-final that can have long gone both approach, 14 gamers have been booked and one despatched off from an soaking up come across that was once by no means worthy of such a lot of cautions.

With such a lot of gamers receiving yellow playing cards, having power extensive is important and it was once the Spanish substitutes who grew to become the tournament of their favour by means of remarkable cameo efforts by means of Merino and Olmo.

However Germany additionally deployed their bench to nice impact with Niclas Fullkrug and Wirtz unlucky to be at the dropping facet after energising their facet off the bench.

If Spain are going to assert the Ecu crown for a fourth time, it’s undoubtedly going to require a squad effort to get them over the successful line.

Spain have been rocked by means of dropping Pedri to damage within the opening moments, nevertheless it proved to be a blessing in hide as Olmo produced a match-winning show coming off the bench. A beautiful function for Spain’s opener and the RB Leipzig midfielder then performed supplier for Merino’s successful finale to ship Spain into the final 4.

Germany: Neuer 6, Kimmich 7, Tah 6, Rudiger 7, Raum 6, Kroos 7, Can 6, Musiala 7, Gundogan 6, Sane 6, Havertz 6 Subs: Fullkrug 8, Muller 6, Anton 6, Wirtz 8, Mittelstadt 6, Andrich 6

Spain: Simon 7, Carvajal 6, Le Normand 6, Laporte 6, Cucurella 6, Pedri 6, Rodri 7, Ruiz 6, Yamal 7, Morata 6, Williams 6 Subs: Nacho 6, Merino 8, Joselu 6, Olmo 8, Torres 6, Oyarzabal 7

52′ GOAL! GERMANY 0-1 SPAIN (OLMO) After all we’ve got a function in Stuttgart. Very good cross from Yamal to select the run of Olmo on fringe of space and he sidefoots the shot into the web past the despairing dive of Neuer. Germany punished for switching off. Sport on!

78′ GERMANY INCHES AWAY FROM THE EQUALISER Wirtz with a high-quality run and pass, however the end from Fullkrug comes backtrack the submit after he held off Nacho. Simon was once smartly overwhelmed. This is so unlucky for the German ahead.

89′ GOAL! GERMANY 1-1 SPAIN (WIRTZ) Simply when it seemed everywhere Wirtz pops as much as thump a volley in off a submit from a very good header again into the visitors by means of Kimmich by means of the Mittelstadt pass. Very good end. Large aid in Stuttgart because the host country ranges it up at 1-1. Are we heading for extra-time?

116′ SIMON DENIES GERMANY WINNER High quality prevent by means of the Spain keeper to stay out the header from Fullkrug as he were given forward of Nacho. Good effort, however Spain live to tell the tale.

119′ GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 GERMANY (MERINO) And that appears just like the winner as exchange Mikel Merino powers the header into the web from the Olmo pass. A surprising headed end. Definitely that’s the victory for Spain.