Spain secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over hosts Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-final in Stuttgart, with Mikel Merino scoring a late extra-time header to send his side into the last four. The match was a tense affair, with both teams creating chances and a total of 20 yellow cards and one red card shown by referee Anthony Taylor.
Germany had the first major chance in extra time when Niclas Füllkrug headed just wide from seven yards out. Spain then broke the deadlock in the 20th minute of extra time when Dani Olmo delivered an inch-perfect cross to the near post, and Merino leapt to steer the ball past Manuel Neuer into the top corner from about 10 yards.
Germany pushed for an equaliser and almost found it when Joshua Kimmich's cross found Füllkrug, whose header was brilliantly saved by Unai Simón. However, Spain held on despite being reduced to ten men in the final minutes when Dani Carvajal received a second yellow card for grabbing Jamal Musiala by the neck. Toni Kroos took his last kick as a professional footballer from the resulting free kick, but Germany could not find a goal.
Spain will be without Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Álvaro Morata for the semi-final due to suspension. Morata was booked after being substituted for his part in the celebrations of Merino's winner. Germany's players were devastated, having missed a good chance to score a late equaliser before the game ended.
The match saw several controversial moments, including a Germany penalty appeal when a Musiala shot hit Marco Cucurella's hand, but no penalty was given. Anthony Taylor also showed a yellow card to an unused German substitute Deniz Undav for dissent. Spain advance to face the winner of the other quarter-final.
