Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Spain off to Euro 2024 semis with dramatic extra-time win over Germany
By Associated Press,
15 hours ago
STUTTGART, Germany — Spain and its fans celebrated as if they’d won the European Championship. After eliminating tournament host Germany in a thrilling quarterfinal, Spain has a great chance to lift the trophy in Berlin next week.
Spain snatched a 2-1 win in extra time on Friday thanks to substitute Mikel Merino’s header in the 119th minute.
Extra time only came after Florian Wirtz’s equalizer in the last minute of regulation.
MIKEL MERINO VICTORY GOAL!!! WHAT A HEADER!!!
FULL TIME SPANYOL 2-1 JERMAN
SPANYOL LOLOS SEMIFINAL JERMAN GAK PULANG KAMPUNG TAPI GAK MAIN LAGI!! JERMAN JADI TUAN RUMAH YANG BAIK. pic.twitter.com/hgUC8hixch
Dani Olmo, who set up Merino’s winner, netted the opener early in the second half.
“It was the game we expected,” Merino said, “because we were facing one of the best teams in the world. This could have been a final, and it sure played out that way. This was a game between elite teams, a constant back and forth, and we showed that we have a great team.”
Spain defender Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time for a second yellow card and will be suspended from Tuesday’s semifinal against Portugal or France.
Fellow defender Robin le Normand will also miss that match after picking up another booking.
Germany players walked over to their fans morosely as coach Julian Nagelsmann looked on with his hands on hips and his face etched with disappointment.
“We were so close, that’s what makes it so bitter,” Germany midfielder Toni Kroos said after the final match of his distinguished career. The 2014 World Cup winner earlier announced he was retiring when Germany’s campaign ended.
Spain’s midfielder Mikel Merino heads the ball to score his team’s second goal. AFP via Getty Images
“To be honest, right now the main feeling is that the tournament is over, because we all had a big goal that we wanted to achieve together,” he said. “And this dream we all had has been simply shattered now.”
From the resulting free kick, Lamine Yamal almost became the youngest ever goal-scorer at the tournament but the 16-year-old’s effort flashed past the right post.
Yamal did have a hand in the opener as he cut inside from the right and rolled the ball across for Olmo to hit it first time into the bottom left corner.
Mikel Merino of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany. Getty Images
It was Yamal’s third assist of the tournament, the most by a teenager at a Euros.
Substitute Nico Füllkrug hit the post in a late desperate onslaught by Germany, which was rewarded just in the nick of time.
Joshua Kimmich nodded Maximilian Mittelstädt’s cross back to Wirtz, whose effort went in off the far post.
The teams had more chances to win in extra time before Merino leapt high to head in Olmo’s cross and send the Spanish fans behind the goal into a frenzy.
“I am exhausted but so proud to see how we fought until the very end,” Olmo said. “We hope that Pedri only has a knock because he is so important for the team. This is for him and for the entire team.”
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0