EURO 2024 QF | Spain 2-1 Germany (aet): Dramatic Roja knock hosts out

Spain needed a last-gasp Mikel Merino header to eliminate EURO 2024 hosts Germany in extra time after Dani Olmo and Florian Wirtz goals, plus rejected penalty appeals and Dani Carvajal’s red card.

They will face the winners of tonight’s other clash between Portugal and France in the semi-final, but Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal will be suspended for Spain.

La Roja had won all their games so far, including 1-0 over Italy in the group phase, and used the same starting XI that beat Georgia 4-1. The hosts had Jonathan Tah back after suspension, but Leroy Sané and ex-Juventus midfielder Emre Can surprisingly started instead of Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich.

It was a very aggressive German start, too much, as Pedri limped off after a Toni Kroos tackle resulted in a sprained knee, Antonio Rudiger was booked early and would be suspended for the semi-final, just like Robin Le Normand.

Kai Havertz and Dani Olmo forced saves from distance, while Alvaro orate turned the defender only to fire over from eight yards.

Spain did break through with early substitute Dani Olmo, as Lamine Yamal got down the right and rolled it across for his teammate to sweep in first-time from just inside the penalty area off the inside of the right boot.

Germany fought back, Unai Simon parrying the Andrich snapshot and Dani Carvajal making a big block on Kai Havertz, but Nicklas Fullkrug came closest on 77 minutes when holding off Nacho to turn a Wirtz roll across onto the base of the near post.

Unai Simon almost had a nightmare when his goal kick was straight at Havertz, whose lob was just over the empty net.

The German push finally paid off at the 89^th minute when Joshua Kimmich nodded down a Maximilian Mittelstadt cross at the by-line and Wirtz fired in on the half-volley.

The hosts had a huge opportunity to win it with the last kick of normal time, but Thomas Muller turned wide, so it had to go to extra time.

Spain started to really regret taking off Alvaro Morata, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Dani Olmo had a shot charged down and Musiala’s pull-back from the by-line was punched away by Simon.

Mikel Oyarzabal hit a scorcher from distances inches wide of the far post, as did Wirtz moments later with a flicked finish. In the second half of extra time, Marc Cucurella charged down the Musiala shot with a hand, but it was in a natural position.

Unai Simon was at full stretch to get a hand to the glancing Fullkrug header, but with 70 seconds left before a penalty shoot-out, Mikel Merino nodded into the top corner from a Dani Olmo cross, surprising Rudiger.

It still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Fullkrug steered his header wide from 12 yards and Dani Carvajal received a second yellow card for taking down Musiala and will be suspended if Spain reach the Final as well.

Spain 2-1 Germany (aet)

Olmo 52 (S), Wirtz 89 (G), Merino 119 (S)

Sent off: Dani Carvajal 120+5 (S)