SPAIN kept themselves on course to win a fourth European Championship as Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute goal sent them into the semi-finals and eliminated hosts Germany following a pulsating encounter at Stuttgart Arena.
This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far as it put together the resurgent home nation against arguably the best-performing side to date at Euro 2024 – and it certainly lived up to expectation.
Played with aggression, tension and drama the contest barely let those watching pause for breath from the moment Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half.
The substitute side-footed home a cross from 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal – his third assist of the Euros – and his strike opened up a game that had been played with caution until then.
Germany hit the post through their own substitute Niclas Fullkrug, but equalised in the final minute of normal time when Florian Wirtz sent a thunderous strike in off the post to send the home fans wild.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Wirtz then sent efforts agonisingly wide in extra time, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon superbly clawed away a Fullkrug header while Germany had penalty appeals dismissed after the ball struck Marc Cucurella’s hand in the box.
But with seconds remaining of a thrilling tie, Real Sociedad forward Merino – who spent the 2017-18 season at Newcastle United – thumped home a header to send Spain into the semi-finals, where they will face France in Munich on Tuesday, 9 July.
Full-back Dani Carvajal was sent off just before the end for a second yellow card, but it was not enough to spoil the Spanish celebrations as fans and players greeted the final whistle with joy and relief.
Meanwhile, France beat Portugal in a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals too after a tense showdown in Hamburg.
Theo Hernandez scored the winning penalty after substitute Joao Felix hit the outside of the post with his effort, the only miss.
Players sprinted over to the other end of the pitch to celebrate with fans afterwards, while Portugal, who had overcome Slovenia via a shootout five days ago, were left feeling deflated while they applauded their supporters.
It marks the end of an era for Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who confirmed this week it would be his final Euros.
Before the match, all eyes had been on a showdown between 39-year-old Ronaldo and France’s Kylian Mbappe but both failed to have an impact, though the Portugal striker did put away his spot-kick.
Mbappe had to be substituted in extra time after an earlier whack to his face, covered with a mask due to a broken nose, so he was unable to take part in the shootout.
It had been a cagey match with relatively few chances though Portugal had the best of them.
Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha were both denied by goalkeeper Mike Maignan before France’s Randal Kolo Muani had a shot deflected inches wide by Ruben Dias.
Moments later, Eduardo Camavinga should have put France ahead when he dragged an effort beyond the far post from close range.
But extra time was needed and when the moment came, Portugal’s talisman Ronaldo stabbed a cutback from Francisco Conceicao way over the bar, to the astonishment of fans behind the goal and their luck ran out after a second shootout in consecutive games.
It means France will now face Spain in the semi-finals in Munich on Tuesday (20:00 BST kick-off).
