SpainGermany

European Championship – Matchday 1 – 05/07/24 – 18:00

timeiconplayerhomeTimehomeIconhomePlayerscoreawayPlayerawayIconawayTime

51′

Dani Olmo

51′

Dani Olmo

1 – 0

89′

Florian Wirtz

1 – 1

Florian Wirtz

89′

119′

Mikel Merino

119′

Mikel Merino

2 – 1

No party on home soil for Germany. Spain knocked the host out of their own European Championship after a thrilling duel. At the end of regular time, Wirtz had initially avoided an exit, but a late Spanish goal plunged Germany into mourning. Substitute Mikel Merino crowned himself the unexpected hero at La Roja.

Highlights Spain – Germany

Spain – Germany in a nutshell

With such names and such matches in recent weeks, we expected some sparkling football. An advanced final, it was. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

It turned out to be a bit more tension than was good for the match. Toni Kroos had to win, and he already knocked Pedri over after a few minutes. Exit Pedri, in Dani.

Luis de la Fuente was grateful for that match against Albania, in which Dani Olmo had already shown what he could do. Before half-time, the lines were too closed and too strong to do much football and so we had to make do with pinpricks.

Both keepers were in action, but never had to produce the wonder saves. Neuer made his goal small for Nico Williams and pushed away an Olmo shot well, Unai Simon easily saved a header from Havertz.

Dani in Florian

So rest, Germany wanted to get more control of the match with substitutes Wirtz and Andrich.

The opposite happened, with the elusive Yamal in a leading role. With a first would-be assist, Morata still did too little, the second Olmo took over nicely in one go.

Nagelsmann felt the storm coming and made further substitutions. With more dominant play and many chances, it was only until the end that the liberating goal was achieved.

Füllkrug did his best to force the equalizer, but could not get past the post. His powers as a super sub are not that great.

Florian Wirtz had been there longer and did better after the Germans had started pumping. On a pass from Mittelstädt and Kimmich he hit the post, but on the right side. Extra time in Stuttgart.

During the tense extra time, the teams left gaps to attack, but without any major clear-cut chances.

There was some controversy about the penalty, with Cucurella unintentionally stopping a shot from Musiala with his hand. Anthony Taylor and the VAR did not award it, others would have done so. Food for discussion.

Füllkrug missed another big chance to become an even bigger hero and had to watch Mikel Merino finish on the other side. A good cross from Olmo, a powerful jump and header from Merino. Spain to the semi-finals, Toni Kroos and Germany to the exit.

Related:

Step by step

End

Kroos throws the very last chance in front of goal, but Simon plucks it and goes down. The signal for Anthony Taylor to blow the whistle! Spain goes through to the semi-finals and had to get past a very creditable and pleasant Germany. Mikel Merino is the savior of the fatherland, on a pass from Olmo.

Carvajal – who was already suspended – receives his second yellow card

Carvajal, who was already suspended for the semi-final, will happily hang on Musiala’s neck. The wonder boy was gone, vintage Carvajal.

Dani Olmo, the standout player for Spain, has cramps, but is in no hurry to get back on his feet. Of course.

There will be 3 minutes of added time.

No, it’s not going to be Niclas Füllkrug’s day. In a fantastically undulating final phase, he’s allowed to head alone, from close range. But somehow ‘die Lücke’ heads just wide.

Füllkrug misses last chance header!

Olapola, it’s a shooting gallery in the German box. Everyone gets a go, but the ball doesn’t even reach Simon.

So farewell to the Germans? They get three more minutes from Taylor.

Mikel Merino!

No, we’re not going to penalties! Dani Olmo throws the ball well in front of goal, from his left flank, and Mikel Merino heads the ball nicely into the net. Beautiful jump from the Real Sociedad man.

There isn’t really any football played anymore.

Eddy Demarez

2-1 to Spain! Merino heads in Olmo’s cross

Füllkrug extends Kimmich’s cross, Simon is alert

Füllkrug can’t get his head against it! Fantastic cross from Kimmich, who even without the touch of the German needs his save. It’s not meant to be for Füllkrug today.

Nacho writhes in pain, but is just a first-class seamstress. He actually lets Wirtz, who is already yellow, run into his back.

2024-07-05 19:21:55
#Spain #plunges #Germany #mourning #late #winner #extra #time #Merino #emerges #unexpected #hero

Related