Spain became the first nation to dump the hosts out of a European Championship at the quarter-final stage after Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute header snatched an epic 2-1 win over Germany in Stuttgart.
With 65 seconds of extra time remaining, Merino – who made 25 appearances for Newcastle in the 2017/18 season – rose to meet Dani Olmo’s cross to send Spain into a semi-final against either France or Portugal on Tuesday night in Munich.
Substitute Olmo’s strike lit the blue touch paper moments into the second half after not initially being selected from the start – replacing the injured Pedri after just eight minutes.
Spain have scored two goals via substitute players in a European Championships match for the second time, after the final against Italy at Euro 2012
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Julian Nagelsmann turned to Niclas Fullkrug, who immediately caused the Spanish defence problems and struck the near post when he outmuscled Nacho to meet Florian Wirtz’s cross.
There would be late drama as Germany refused to let the opportunity of a home Euros slip them by with Wirtz converting Joshua Kimmich’s header back across goal following Maximilian Mittelstadt’s deep cross (89).
Spain feared the prospect of a shoot-out against a nation who haven’t lost one since 1976 – but Merino’s dramatic winner ensured there would be no further heartache from 12 yards having gone out of the last three major Championships in such fashion.
Dani Carvajal was shown a second yellow card in the final seconds of the match but La Roja held on.
Meanwhile, Theo Hernandez struck the winning penalty for France after Portugal’s Joao Felix had missed in the shootout following a 0-0 draw in normal and Extra time to send Didier Deschamps’ side into a Euro 2024 semi-final with Spain.
There were no tears this time from Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been overcome by emotion during Portugal’s last-16 win over Slovenia, but, despite converting his own spot-kick, the 39-year-old’s final Euros campaign ended in defeat. He was left to console outstanding 41-year-old team-mate Pepe at the end of it all.
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Ronaldo was on the fringes for much of the cagey contest, although both sides will feel they could have won it in the second half of normal time. France’s Mike Maignan produced two sharp stops to keep out Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha before smothering Ronaldo’s follow-up backheel, while Randal Kolo Muani saw his shot blocked by Ruben Dias at the other end before Eduardo Camavinga scuffed beyond the far post from close range.
Impact sub Ousmane Dembele grazed a post in the final moments of the 90 but extra-time saw these two recent European champions err on the side of caution. A half-chance for Ronaldo was hacked over as Pepe and Dayot Upamecano celebrated blocks like goals.
