Euro 2024: Spain Dumb Host Germany Out of Tournament to Qualify for Semifinals

Germany, the host country, was eliminated from Euro 2024 as Spain secured the first spot in the semi-finals in dramatic fashion. Mikel Merino scored his first goal in the tournament in the last minute of extra time, giving Spain a dramatic 2-1 win over Germany in an enthralling Euro 2024 quarter-final clash on Friday. 

Spain was the dominant team for the first half, and they missed several chances before Dani Olmo scored his second goal of the tournament six minutes into the second half, slotting home a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made five substitutions in a desperate attempt to find the equalizer. This paid off in the 89th minute as substitute Florian Wirtz, the Bundesliga's player of the year for champions Bayer Leverkusen, scored with a powerful shot from Joshua Kimmich's header, forcing the game into extra time.

In the 119th minute of the game, it seemed like the match was heading for a penalty shootout, but substitute Merino scored the winning goal with a header from Olmo's cross. In the final seconds of the match, Dani Carvajal received a second yellow card for tackling Jamal Musiala to prevent a counterattack.Spain progressed to the semifinals and will face the winner of the Portugal vs. France match on Friday.