Spain beat Germany in tight contest – ZimEye

After a thrilling match at the Stuttgart Arena, Michael Merino’s 119th-minute goal helped Spain advance to the semi-finals and eliminate hosts Germany, as Spain continues to move towards its goal of winning a fourth European Championship.

This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far, as it pitted the resurgent host nation against the best team at Euro 2024 so far – and the match certainly lived up to the hype.

The game was aggressive, tense and dramatic, with the crowd barely having time to catch their breath from the moment Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half.

The substitute sidled up to meet a cross from 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal and slotted the ball into the net – his third assist of the European Championship – with a goal that punctuated a previously cautious contest.

Germany substitute Niclas Fullkrug hit the post with a shot, but in the final minute of normal time, Florian Wirtz equalised with a thunderous shot that hit the post and into the net, sending the home fans into a frenzy.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Wirtz both missed with shots in extra time, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon did well to keep out a Fullkrug header, and Germany had a penalty appeal turned down after the ball hit Marc Cucurella’s hands in the box.

However, with just seconds remaining, Real Sociedad striker Merino (who played for Newcastle United in the 2017-18 season) headed home a winner, sending Spain through to the semi-finals, where they will face France in Munich on Tuesday, July 9.

BBC

related