Mikel Merino’s Dramatic Header Sends Spain to Euro 2024 Semi-Finals with Extra-Time Triumph Over Germany
In a thrilling UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final in Stuttgart, Spain edged out hosts Germany 2-1 after extra time, thanks to Mikel Merino’s dramatic late header. The victory secured Spain’s place in the semi-finals and left Germany as the first Euros hosts to be knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Germany had the best chances in extra time and became the first Euro hosts to lose in the quarter-finals when Merino brilliantly headed home Spain’s final goal of the competition in the 119th minute.
Niclas Fullkrug’s header came inches from rescuing Germany and setting up penalties, but Luis de la Fuente’s side, who had Dani Carvajal sent off late on, held on to face Portugal or France.
Pedri’s early injury saw Olmo come on and the substitute ignited a sluggish game in the 51st minute.
After seeing Alvaro Morata pounce from close range, Olmo made no mistake as he slotted home after cutting down Lamine Yamal.
Simon produced a fantastic save from Robert Andrich’s drive before the post came to Spain’s rescue as Niclase Fullkrug clipped his right hand effort.
Germany should have been level when Simon made a calamitous clearance soon after, only to beat Havertz with the goal at mercy.
But Havertz’s blushes were spared by Wirtz, who drilled wide of the post after latching on to Joshua Kimmich’s knockdown.
Wirtz had the best chance in the first half of extra time, sending a low effort just wide before chaos erupted.
Germany were denied a penalty appeal after Jamal Musiala hit the hand of Marco Cucurella and Simon saved Fullkrug’s fantastic header.
With the penalties mounting, Spain broke through and La Roja were ecstatic when Merino slotted in Olmo’s inch-perfect cross.
A poor finish by Ferran Torres moments later could have proved costly if Fullkrug’s effort was half a yard to the left, but it was not to be for Germany, even as Spain were reduced to 10 in the final minute after Carvajal picked up his second booking.
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Olmo is now the first Spanish player to score two goals as a substitute at a single edition of the Euros and the third at any major tournament, following Fernando Morientes at the 2002 World Cup and Morata at the 2022 edition of the competition.
The RB Leipzig striker is also the second player since Chuso Pereda in 1964 to score in two consecutive knockout stage appearances for Spain at the European Championships.
And Merino’s winner meant Spain had scored two substitute goals in a single Euro game for only the second time since the Euro 2012 final against Italy.
Yamal hasn’t been so lucky so far at Euro 2024, with the youngster having 13 shots without finding the back of the net (only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 20, has had more attempts and failed to score at this tournament).
However, he showed his creative flair again, creating three chances and taking his tally of assists to three in the tournament. He is the first ever teenager to record three assists at a single Euro or World Cup.
Spain player ratings
GK: Unai Simon – 6/10
RB: Dani Carvajal – 8/10
CB: Robin Le Normand – 5/10
CB: Aymeric Laporte – 7/10
LB: Marc Cucurella – 6/10
CM: Rodri – 7/10
CM: Fabian Ruiz – 7/10
CM: Pedri – N/A
RW: Lamine Yamal – 8/10
CF: Alvaro Morata – 7/10
LW: Nico Williams – 6/10
Substitutes
SUB: Dani Olmo – 9/10
SUB: Nacho Fernandez (46′ for Le Normand) – 6/10
SUB: Ferran Torres – 5/10
SUB: Mikel Oyarzabal – 6/10
SUB: Mikel Merino – 8/10
SUB: Joselu – 5/10
Germany player rating
GK: Manuel Neuer – 6/10
RB: Joshua Kimmich – 7/10
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 5/10
CB: Jonathan Tah – 5/10
LB: David Raum – 4/10
CM: Emre Can – 4/10
CM: Toni Kroos – 5/10
RW: Leroy Sane – 4/10
AM: Ilkay Gundogan – 5/10
LW: Jamal Musiala – 5/10
CF: Kai Havertz – 5/10
Substitutes
SUB: Robert Andrich – 6/10 – Injected Germany with the energy they required to compete.
SUB: Florian Wirtz – 8/10 – Gave Germany everything that Sane didn’t. Nearly the hero with his fine equaliser.
SUB: Maximilian Mittelstadt – 7/10
SUB: Niclas Fullkrug – 8/10
SUB: Thomas Muller- 5/10
SUB: Waldemar Anton – 5/10
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