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.
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. Merino said: “It was me who scored the goal but this was just proof of the family we are. It was the whole team which was responsible for it – the effort we put in on the training field, the gym. The moments nobody but us can see.”
Source – Spain 2 – 1 Germany – Match Report & Highlights (skysports.com)
