Spain 2-1 Germany (AET): Merino's 119' header sends Spain into EURO semi-finals!

Spain kept themselves on course to win a fourth European Championship as Mikel Merino's extra-time goal sent them into the semi-finals and eliminated hosts Germany following a pulsating encounter at Stuttgart Arena.

This was the most anticipated match of the tournament so far as it put together the resurgent home nation against arguably the best-performing side to date at Euro 2024 - and it certainly lived up to expectation.

Played with aggression, tension and drama the contest barely let those watching pause for breath from the moment Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half.

The substitute side-footed home a cross from 16-year-old star Lamine Yamal - his third assist of the Euros - and his strike opened up a game that had been played with caution until then.

Germany hit the post through their own substitute Niclas Fullkrug but equalised in the final minute of normal time when Florian Wirtz sent a thunderous strike in off the post to send the home fans wild.

After that, Mikel Oyarzabal and Wirtz sent efforts agonisingly wide while Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon superbly clawed away a Fullkrug header as it looked like penalties would be needed to settle an exhilarating contest.

But with seconds remaining of a thrilling encounter, Merino thumped home a header to send Spain into the semi-finals, where they will face either France or Portugal.

Full-back Dani Carvajal was sent off just before the end for a second yellow card, but it was not enough to spoil the celebrations as the Spanish fans and players greeted the final whistle with joy and relief.

Match Events

1' Pedri's first-time effort from outside the box is saved by Manuel Neuer!

4' Toni Kroos catches Pedri with a high leg in a tackle and he looks in some pain

8' Pedri looks emotional as he hobbles off the pitch and Dani Olmo replaces him

10' Kai Havertz finds David Raum on the left but his cross is caught by Unai Simon!

12' Nico Williams catches Kimmich while trying to block the German's clearance!

13' Antonio Rudiger is booked for bringing down Dani Olmo just outside the box!

14' Lamine Yamal goes below the wall, but he doesn't get it on target!

17' Fabian Ruiz lifts a shot over the bar under a bit of pressure from a defender!

21' Havertz's header but it is easy one for Simon to deal with as a floated cross!

23' Laporte hammers in a shot from 25 yards which Manuel Neuer gets behind to save!

28' Yellow Card! Raum catches Carvajal and Spain have a free-kick on the right side!

29' Nico Williams puts the free-kick into the mixer for Spain but it's a free out!

29' Yellow Card! Robin Le Normand booked for clipping Gundogan in the centre circle!

35' Havertz chests down Rudiger's long ball and has a shot well stopped by Simon!

39' Olmo pops in a shot from 25 yards which Neuer parries and Morata misses chance!

45' Yamal carries it on a bit and shoots from outside box but it straight at Neuer!

45' Crunching tackle from Spain's Marc Cucurella leaves Ilkay Gundogan on the turf!

46' Nacho replaces Le Normand in defence, Wirtz and Andrich replace Can and San!

46' Florian Wirtz's first action is to catch Aymeric Laporte with a standing lunge!

47' Morata spins his defender but then shoots over the bar from seven yards out!

48' Pink-haired Germany sub Robert Andrich shoots over from just outside the box!

51' GOAL! Olmo sweeps ball into bottom corner with Yamal's pass! Spain 1-0 Germany

56' Yellow Card! Robert Andrich booked for catching Nico Williams!

57' Fullkrug and Mittelstadt on as Ilkay Gundogan and David Raum come off!

60' Wirtz working into positions to just put it into the mixer!

63' Spain bring off 16-year-old Yamal, who's replaced by Barcelona team-mate Ferran!

63' Fullkrug's movement is good but doesn't get enough on it!

67' Yellow Card! Kroos booked for fouling Dani Olmo!

69' Andrich's effort from 25 yards towards the bottom corner parried away by Simon!

72' Dani Carvajal throws himself in the way to block German's shot!

73' Yellow Card! M. Mittelstädt booked for bringing down Ferran Torres!

74' Yellow Card! Ferran Torres booked for pulling Jamal Musiala's back!

80' Legend Thomas Muller replaces defender Jonathan Tah!

82' Yellow Card! Unai Simón booked for time-wasting over a goal-kick!

83' Havertz tries to lob Simon but ball sails over his head but goes over the bar!

89' GOAL! Florian Wirtz hammers a shot into the bottom corner! Spain 1-1 Germany

90' Germany bring on defender Waldemar Anton for Kai Havertz!

92' Oyarzabal tries to run into the box but gets tackled!

94' Yellow Card! Florian Wirtz booked for a foul on Marc Cucurella!

98' Fabian Ruiz and Toni Kroos run into each other and go down!

100' Yellow Card! Carvajal booked for handling the ball to stop Jamal Musiala!

100' Musiala gets to the byeline and hammers a ball towards goal but parried away!

102' Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz has picked up a knock, on comes Joselu!

104' Oyarzabal drifts in from the right and hits a fine strike from outside the box!

105' Wirtz's first-time effort from the D rolls agonisingly wide of right-hand post!

106' Jamal Musiala's shot hits the hand of Marc Cucurella but no penalty!

108' Spain win a corner now as Rudiger stops Joselu having a free chance 6 yards out!

119' GOAL! Mikel Merino heads Olmo's cross into the top corner! Spain 2-1 Germany

Line-ups

Spain XI: Morata, Carvajal, Laporte, Robin Le Normand, Unai Simón, Marc Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal

Subs: J. Navas, Joselu, Nacho, Alejandro Grimaldo, Ayoze Perez, Álex Remiro, David Raya, Merino, Oyarzabal, Olmo, Ferran Torres, Martín Zubimendi, Dani Vivian, Álex Baena, Fermín López

Germany XI: Neuer, Kroos, Gundogan, Emre Can, Rudiger, Kimmich, Tah, Sane, David Raum, Havertz, Jamal Musiala

Subs: Muller, Oliver Baumann, Gross, Ter Stegen, Füllkrug, Robert Andrich, Henrichs, Anton, Koch, M. Mittelstädt, Deniz Undav, Chris Führich, Nico Schlotterbeck, Maximilian Beier, Florian Wirtz