Merino nets dramatic header in extra-time as Spain dump hosts Germany out

Spain substitute Mikel Merino condemned host nation Germany to an agonising Euro 2024 quarter-final exit with the last-gasp winner in a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory in Stuttgart for the three-time European champions.

Merino popped up in the 119th minute to power a header into Germany’s net from a lovely cross from Dani Olmo, who had fired Spain ahead on 51 minutes when he slammed a superb Lamine Yamal pass into the net.

Germany dominated the second half and deservedly equalised on 89 minutes when Florian Wirtz tucked the ball in off the post from a Joshua Kimmich header.

The game seemed destined for penalties with chances at both ends, but it was left to Luis de La Fuente’s Spain – who had Dani Carvajal sent off in the closing seconds of extra-time for a second booking – to have the final say to secure a semi-final meeting with France or Portugal.

Meanwhile, Germany are left to reflect on what might have been as they become the first host nation to exit the European Championship at the quarter-final stage.

In a frantic quarter-final that could have gone either way, 14 players were booked and one sent off from an absorbing encounter that was never worthy of so many cautions.

With so many players receiving yellow cards, having strength in depth is vital and it was the Spanish substitutes who turned the match in their favour via outstanding cameo efforts by Merino and Olmo.

But Germany also deployed their bench to great effect with Niclas Fullkrug and Wirtz unfortunate to be on the losing side after energising their side off the bench.

If Spain are going to claim the European crown for a fourth time, it is certainly going to require a squad effort to get them over the winning line.

Spain were rocked by losing Pedri to injury in the opening moments, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise as Olmo produced a match-winning display coming off the bench. A lovely goal for Spain’s opener and the RB Leipzig midfielder then played provider for Merino’s winning finale to send Spain into the last four.

Germany: Neuer 6, Kimmich 7, Tah 6, Rudiger 7, Raum 6, Kroos 7, Can 6, Musiala 7, Gundogan 6, Sane 6, Havertz 6 Subs: Fullkrug 8, Muller 6, Anton 6, Wirtz 8, Mittelstadt 6, Andrich 6

Spain: Simon 7, Carvajal 6, Le Normand 6, Laporte 6, Cucurella 6, Pedri 6, Rodri 7, Ruiz 6, Yamal 7, Morata 6, Williams 6 Subs: Nacho 6, Merino 8, Joselu 6, Olmo 8, Torres 6, Oyarzabal 7

52′ GOAL! GERMANY 0-1 SPAIN (OLMO) Finally we have a goal in Stuttgart. Superb pass from Yamal to pick out the run of Olmo on edge of area and he sidefoots the shot into the net beyond the despairing dive of Neuer. Germany punished for switching off. Game on!

78′ GERMANY INCHES AWAY FROM THE EQUALISER Wirtz with a fine run and cross, but the finish from Fullkrug comes back off the post after he held off Nacho. Simon was well beaten. That is so unfortunate for the German forward.

89′ GOAL! GERMANY 1-1 SPAIN (WIRTZ) Just when it looked all over Wirtz pops up to thump a volley in off a post from an excellent header back into the traffic by Kimmich via the Mittelstadt cross. Superb finish. Huge relief in Stuttgart as the host nation levels it up at 1-1. Are we heading for extra-time?

116′ SIMON DENIES GERMANY WINNER Fine stop by the Spain keeper to keep out the header from Fullkrug as he got ahead of Nacho. Brilliant effort, but Spain survive.

119′ GOAL! SPAIN 2-1 GERMANY (MERINO) And that looks like the winner as substitute Mikel Merino powers the header into the net from the Olmo cross. A stunning headed finish. Surely that is the victory for Spain.