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
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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 1-1 Germany
108 mins: Jamal Musiala and Niclas Fullkrug combine on the edge of the box for Germany. Musiala shoots and sees his shot blocked by Marc Cucurella.
The ball strikes the defender on the hand and the Germans explode with penalty shouts. The referee says no and VAR agrees.
Spain 1-1 Germany
Julian Nagelsmann draws his team into a huddle and gives the Germans a pep talk. Luis de la Fuente seems more reserved but no less focused.
Germany restart the ball for the final 15 minutes. After this there’ll be a penalty shootout if no-one can find a winner.
Spain 1-1 Germany
105+1 mins: That’s the end of the first half of extra-time. Not a great deal to write home about in terms of chances except for Mikel Oyarzabal’s late effort. He puts his left-foot through the ball and fizzes the effort agonisingly wide of the far post.
All square with 15 minutes to play.
Spain 1-1 Germany
102 mins: There’s another yellow card been shown by Anthony Taylor with this one going to the staff on the sidelines. It’s not clear who it’s been issued to.
Joselu comes on for Spain to replace Fabian Ruiz.
Spain 1-1 Germany
99 mins: Wirtz attempts to feed Muller in behind with a threaded pass but Marc Cucurella beats the German midfielder to the ball and tidies up for Spain.
Spain 1-1 Germany
96 mins: Toni Kroos delivers the corner into the middle but Unai Simon comes out and claims it confidently. Spain give possession away though with Maximilian Mittelstadt deciding to swing a cross back into the area.
Niclas Fullkrug is there to get on the end of it but the offside flag gets raised.
Spain 1-1 Germany
93 mins: Waldemar Anton is introduced for Germany as Julian Nagelsmann takes off Kai Havertz to bring a better balance to his team for the next 30 minutes.
Florian Wirtz is given the ball as Germany burst up the pitch. He rolls a teasing pass into the middle and wins a corner as Spain boot it clear.
Extra-time! Spain 1-1 Germany
30 more minutes to play in this quarter-final. Spain need to regroup and not allow Germany to dictate play. The momentum is all with the hosts.
Spains get the ball rolling once more.
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