Mikel Merino scored a thrilling goal in the final few minutes of extra time to secure a 2-1 victory and break German hearts. Dani Olmo’s second-half strike broke the deadlock between the two European giants, latching onto an excellent cross from 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and calmly slotting past Manuel Neuer.
Germany’s Florian Wirtz equalised in the 89th minute, forcing the game into extra time. With penalties approaching, Merino rose to head home a spectacular header, propelling his country into the final four. La Roja remains unbeaten in the competition, progressing to the semi-finals, where they will face the winners of France vs Portugal on Tuesday.
However, Germany’s bid to win a fourth European Championship at home has failed spectacularly, with the country becoming the first competition host to be eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Mikel Merino final minute goal secured France their Semi-Finals
It also marks the end of Toni Kroos’ magnificent career, as the German midfielder retires this summer. Following Olmo’s opener, Germany poured on the pressure in search of an equalizer.
With substitute Niclas Fullkrug stopped by the post after an instinctive shot from close range. Havertz, and every German tuning in, watched in agony as he scooped his effort over the bar. Wirtz, the Bundesliga player of the year, was on hand in the 90th minute to drill in the bottom corner after Joshua Kimmich’s header, which clipped the inside of the post before finding the back of the net. Germany pushed for a winner in extra time, but it was Spain who delivered the final magical moment.
