“La Roja” defeated the hosts 2-1 following extra time in the quarter-finals on Friday (1-1, 0-0). Mikel Merino headed the decisive goal in Stuttgart in the 119th minute following Germany had found better opportunities in extra time.
Dani Olmo (51st), who plays for Leipzig, had put Spain in the lead shortly following half-time, but in the final minutes of regular time Florian Wirtz (89th) forced extra time with his goal. In the semi-final next Tuesday (9 p.m.) in Munich, coach Luis de la Fuente’s team will now face the winner of the second quarter-final between Portugal and France.
Unbeaten for 36 years
Spain had been unbeaten once morest Germany in competitive matches for 36 years. This was one of the reasons why the Iberians, who had advanced to the quarter-finals with four wins, were confident of victory before the match. The game started badly for them. Toni Kroos kicked Pedri following just a few minutes, but the English referee Anthony Taylor did not even show him a yellow card for his hard attack. Pedri, who had injured his left knee, had to leave the field shortly followingwards, and Olmo took over the role in attacking midfield. A forced substitution that would have consequences.
For Germany, Nagelsmann surprisingly chose Emre Can instead of Robert Andrich in defensive midfield, while Leroy Sane was preferred to Wirtz on the wing. It was no surprise that Jonathan Tah returned to central defence following his suspension. Much has been written regarding Kroos, who will end his career following the European Championships. For the long-time Real professional, it was to be the last game of his career.
Although the first attempts to approach the opponent’s goal belonged to the Spaniards, the hosts were increasingly able to disrupt the red ball relays. The Germans were definitely playing hardball. The Spanish wing pair with super talent Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were unable to develop. Kai Havertz tried a header (21′) and also shot too centrally at Unai Simon from the edge of the penalty area (35′). Germany had almost 60 percent possession at that point.
The Spaniards were able to contain the German momentum. They tried to disrupt the opponent’s build-up play early on and hardly let anything through. Olmo tested Manuel Neuer with a long-range shot (39′) and then a hard-fought, largely unspectacular half came to an end.
Andrich and Wirtz came on for Can and Sane following the break, and Nacho replaced Robin Le Normand, who had been booked, for the Spanish team. Alvaro Morata quickly found a good opportunity, but shot over the bar (47′). A simple move ended the goal drought shortly followingwards. Yamal was not properly attacked by David Raum on the right wing, and his pass to the middle was shot flat and precisely into the corner by Olmo, who was unpressured.
Germany had to and wanted to react. Attacks followed immediately, Nagelsmann sent Niclas Füllkrug onto the field instead of Ilkay Gündogan. Yamal had to leave the field for the Spanish team following an hour. They relied on counterattacks, but Germany were more dangerous. Dani Carvajal threw himself at a shot from Havertz (72′), Füllkrug hit the outside post following a Wirtz cross (77′).
Nagelsmann risked everything
Before the final phase, Nagelsmann pulled out a “joker” in Thomas Müller for Tah and risked everything. After a bad clearance from Simon, Havertz tried a trick shot over the Spanish keeper, but the ball went over the bar (83′). While the increasingly passive Spaniards made substitutions to take time off the clock, the Germans rewarded themselves. Joshua Kimmich headed a cross into the center, Wirtz scored and sent the Stuttgart Arena trembling.
In extra time, Wirtz shot just wide once more (105th minute), then Jamal Musiala hit Spain’s Marc Cucurella on the forearm in the penalty area (106th minute). The VAR did not intervene. Germany was closer to scoring a goal, but Simon was there with a flying save following a Füllkrug header (117th minute). This time, however, it was Spain who celebrated following a late goal. Merino headed in an Olmo cross. Füllkrug missed the answer with a header, completely unmarked, then Carvajal was sent off with a second yellow card before the final whistle ended Germany’s hopes.
