Euro 2024: Spain eliminate hosts Germany after extra time

Germany are out of UEFA's Euro 2024 tournament, eliminated 2-1 at the end of extra time by Spain following a fierce battle in Stuttgart on Friday. 

Mikel Merino scored the decisive goal in the 119th minute, dashing the host nation's hopes of a run all the way to the final in Berlin.

Both sides had chances during extra time and were broadly even throughout the match.  

How did the German team react?

Toni Kroos, who is retiring from professional football, said the result was not the toughest defeat of his professional career, but that it was still "a game where we gave everything to avoid defeat."

"Given that we came so close, it's all the more bitter," Kroos said. "It goes without saying that it's a bit sad here tonight, because we would have liked to stick around a little longer." 

Joshua Kimmich also spoke of "great disappointment" to bow out of another major tournament. 

"But this time everything was different," Kimmich said, after three tournaments prior to Euro 2024 in which Germany had not won a single knockout game. "We put everything into it, from the first minute to the last."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented after the match on how close it was, and said he thought both sides could be proud of their performance and the attacking football they played. 

Advantage Spain thanks to substitute Olmo

First-half bookings for Antonio Rüdiger and David Raum in defense meant Germany had to tread on eggshells for much of the match, but the first period provided few real tests for either goalkeeper. 

Spain often threatened via the flanks and tricky wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, and the opening goal in the 51st minute was no exception. 

Yamal found space wide on the right and was picked out by Alvaro Morata, with David Raum slow to close the winger down. 

Yamal played a clever low cutback across the edge of the penalty area and Olmo took the shot in stride first time, stroking it low into the far corner out of Manuel Neuer's reach. 

Germany force extra time at the last

Germany threw caution to the wind after the goal, bringing on Niclas Füllkrug up front in addition to Kai Havertz. 

Havertz in particular had a pair of late chances to level the score. But a long-range lob drifted agonizingly over the crossbar and a close-range shot was denied by a sharp save from Unai Simon. 

Florian Wirtz finally netted an equalizer in the 89th minute that was somewhat reminiscent of Olmo's finish. 

Germany's cross came from Raum on the left, and Joshua Kimmich headed it down into Wirtz's path. He fired first time, in off the inside of the far post, leaving the keeper no real chance. 

End to end in extra time

Both sides frequently threatened in extra time and sought to keep pushing forward, as fatigue started to open up space. 

Germany players also appealed for handball as a Jamal Musiala shot was blocked in the area by Marc Cucurella, but VAR did not intervene, and replays showed his hand was low by his side when the ball made contact with it. 

Unai Simon was called into action to deny Füllkrug, just moments before the winning goal at the other end. 

Olmo transitioned from scorer to creator, floating a cross from the left invitingly for fellow substitute Mikel Merino to head home.

Full back Dani Carvajal later picked up a second yellow card and was sent off for a cynical last-second foul to halt a German attack in the build-up phase; he will miss the next round. 

Spain will face either Portugal or France in the semifinals next Tuesday, July 9.

Edited by: Alex Berry