Spain have defeated Germany in hugely dramatic circumstances in their Euro 2024 quarter-final, with Mikel Merino's last gasp goal handing them a famous victory in Stuttgart.
The Spanish were the better side for the majority of the game, creating more chances and limiting Germany opportunities at the other end.
They took a deserved lead just after the interval, with Lamine Yamal picking out Dani Olmo who finished brilliantly.
🇪🇸 1-0 🇩🇪
SPAIN IN FRONT! Lamine Yamal picks out Dani Olmo and his measured finish puts the Spanish ahead #EURO2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/PxDdwGjzY1 pic.twitter.com/3fm7OoGk90— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 5, 2024
Germany would eventually grow into the game, although they did not make a major push for an equaliser until the final 15 minutes or so.
Both Kai Havertz and Niclas Fullkrug missed huge chances to level the match, with it looking as though they would come up just short. However, Florian Wirtz would eventually make the breakthrough in the dying moments of the match.
🇪🇸 1-1 🇩🇪
Smart finish from Florian Wirtz has Germany level #EURO2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/PxDdwGjzY1 pic.twitter.com/Y1F04ge3Mg— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 5, 2024
Both sides would trade blows throughout extra-time, although neither would manage to find a winner.
Just as we looked to be heading to penalties, Spain would win the game in the most dramatic of fashions. Mikel Merino was the man to grab the winner, producing a brilliant header to send his team to the semi-finals.
SPAIN ADVANCE
🇪🇸 2-1 🇩🇪 (AET)
Sub Mikel Merino guides his header past Manuel Neuer after 119 minutes and the Spanish are through to the semi-finals #EURO2024
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📱Live updates https://t.co/PxDdwGjzY1 pic.twitter.com/rmcxAlY5Ay— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 5, 2024
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Keane Has No Sympathy For Spain Stars Affected By Euro 2024 Rule
This was a brilliant game of football, featuring what the two best teams in the tournament up to this point. It was unfortunate that it could not have taken place at a later stage of Euro 2024, although Spain will likely be viewed as favourites to go and win it from this point onwards.
In saying that, they will be short quite a few players for that game.
Alvaro Morata, Dani Carvajal, and Robin Le Normand will all miss that game due to picking up their second booking of the tournament during the win over Germany. Carvajal would later be sent off for a second yellow, but there was a sense that he only committed that challenge in the dying moments because he knew he would be missing the game anyway.
A rule that sees a player missing a Euro 2024 semi-final for picking up two yellow cards in five games seems extremely harsh, although Roy Keane had very little sympathy for the players affected.
Speaking ITV, the Irishman hinted to his own experience with similar laws during his playing career and said some of the Spain players only had themselves to blame.
They won't be too worried in the dressing room afterwards. The initial reaction is that you've won the game, you've got a squad of players, players will come in.
You to have to deal with it. High class problems...
It could be worse, you could miss a final! The final is worse to miss, at least you have the opportunity to get to the final...
The players know the rules, there were some daft yellow cards there as well. You can't defend them that much.
Of course, Keane would miss the 1999 Champions League final after picking up a booking in the semi-final against Juventus.
Some of the Spain yellow cards were indeed a bit silly, with Morata booked for celebrating their winning goal after running onto the pitch despite being taken off earlier in the game and knowing he would be suspended for the next game.
They will be hoping that it doesn't come back to bite them in their Euro 2024 semi-final.
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