Mikel Merino scored with a stunning header late in extra time to send Spain through to the semi-finals at Germany’s expense
Germany’s second summer fairy tale is over but Spain’s goes on, Stuttgart stunned at the last. With 65 seconds of extra time remaining, with penalties inevitable and players pulling up all over the pitch, barely able to walk, Dani Olmo clipped in a glorious ball and there, deep in the penalty area, was Mikel Merino. A turn of the head, a twist of the neck and Spain were on their way.
Kroos had been fortunate to escape a booking then and a few minutes later he trod on Lamine Yamal. It was accidental but Julian Nagelsmann had hinted at this intensity, even if he had quickly added that his team were not planning to kick Lamine Yamal “out of his socks”. Germany worked chances of their own. Kai Havertz headed one into the arms of Simón from in front of the penalty spot. A long ball from Rüdiger made another. The control on the chest to bring it down was superb, the effort from the edge of the area was scuffed.
Germany stepped up, obliged now. They made two quick changes too. Max Mittelstädt came on and so did Füllkrug, gesturing for the fans to get to their feet as he did so. The noise rose, the style shifted. Wirtz soon bent just past the post. Spain were under pressure, forced to resist, and yet that also brought with it the chance to run, even with Lamine Yamal replaced by Ferran Torres.
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