MAN OF THE MATCH: DANI OLMO (SPAIN)
Spain were rocked by the loss of Pedri to injury in the opening moments, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise as Olmo produced a match-winning display from the bench. A wonderful goal for the Spain opener and the RB Leipzig midfielder then acted as provider for Mera’s winning finale to send Spain into the last four.
PLAYER RATINGS
Germany: Neuer 6, Kimmich 7, Tach 6, Rudiger 7, Raum 6, Kroos 7, Kahn 6, Musiala 7, Gundogan 6, Sane 6, Havertz 6 Subs: Fulkrug 8, Müller 6, Anton 6, Wirtz 8, Mittelstat 6, Andrić 6
Spain: Simon 7, Carvajal 6, Le Normand 6, Laporte 6, Cucurella 6, Pedri 6, Rodri 7, Ruiz 6, Jamal 7, Morata 6, Williams 6 Subs: Nacho 6, Merino 8, Joselu 6, Olmo 8, Torres 6, Ojarzabal 7
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
52′ GOAL! GERMANY 0-1 SPAIN (OLMO) Finally we have a goal in Stuttgart. A great pass from Jamal to pick out a rush by Olm on the edge of the box and he side-swims the shot into the net behind Neuer’s desperate dive. Germany punished for exclusion. Game on!
78′ GERMANY GET AWAY FROM AN EQUALIZER Wirtz with a fine run and cross but Fulkrug’s finish goes off the post after holding Nacho. Simon was well beaten. It is very unfortunate for the German striker.
89′ GOAL! GERMANY 1-1 SPAIN (WIRTZ) Just when it looked everywhere, Wirtz popped up and volleyed a superb header back into Kimmich’s traffic via a Mittelstadt cross. Excellent finish. Huge relief in Stuttgart as the home team improves to 1-1. Are we going to overtime?
116′ SIMON REFUSES GERMANY’S WINNER Nice stop by the Spain keeper to keep out Fulkrug’s header as he got in front of Nacho. A brilliant effort but Spain survived.
119′ GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 GERMANY (MERINO) And it looks like a winner as substitute Mikel Merino heads home Olmo’s cross. A stunning finish. Surely it is a victory for Spain.