That’s it, it’s over for the Mannschaft. Germany was eliminated from its Euro against Spain this Friday evening. How the regrets will be keen for Nagelsmann’s team, which rivaled the Roja and lost to a headed goal from Merino in the last minute of extra time (2-1, 119th). It was written that Spain would survive the evening. Otherwise, Füllkrug’s final header would have found the target…
But once the sadness has passed, the Germans will realize how deserving they were, and ultimately could hardly have done better against the Spanish scarecrow, whom they almost overcame. After a first period that was bumpy and generally balanced, it took a tight pass from Yamal, on the right side without even getting past Raum, and an uncontrolled shot from Olmo for the Iberians to find the gap in the German defense (1-0, 51st).
After that, the Germans confiscated the ball, tried everything to get back into the game, and they succeeded, but only at the very last minute. Mittelstädt crossed from the left. Kimmich headed Wirtz, who equalized with a half-volley from the right (1-1, 89th).
It all started with a blow for Spain. After seven minutes, their midfielder Pedri was forced off the pitch with an injury to his left knee, following a brutal intervention by Kroos moments earlier, which could easily have earned the German a yellow card. Initially, fouls on both sides took precedence over the rest, with around fifteen free-kicks whistled in the first half hour and three cards distributed by Mr Oliver.
After a quarter of an hour, Rüdiger was cautioned for a foul on Olmo near the German penalty area. He would be inhibited in his defense for the rest of the game. Raum, the left back, suffered the same fate in the 28th minute. On the Spanish side, Le Normand was also cautioned (29th). At half-time, coach De la Fuente chose to replace him with Nacho. The Franco-Spaniard will also be suspended for the semi-final in Munich on Tuesday.
Germany had the chances
Only a few banderillas were placed in the first half on each side: a free kick and a strike from Yamal, an attempt from Ruiz for the Roja; a header and a shot from Havertz on the Mannschaft side. But the only serious opportunity before the break was this 25m strike released by Olmo and deflected by Neuer (38th). After the break, Morata, delicately served by Yamal in the German area, pivoted to get away from Tah, but shot over (47th).
After launching Wirtz in place of Sané at half-time, German coach Nagelsmann launched Füllkrug (57th) after the opening goal and the Mannschaft began their time trial with a view to equalising. Germany set off to attack Simon’s goal and multiplied their attempts. With their backs to the goal, Füllkrug was set back for a shot from Andrich that the Spanish goalkeeper deflected as best he could (70th).
Even clearer, this ball tackled on the post by Füllkrug, on receiving a service from Wirtz (77th). Then, Havertz tries a long-distance lob, but above the Spanish bar (82nd).
The Germans were rewarded for their efforts with Wirtz’s goal and extra time snatched at the last minute. In the 117th minute, Füllkrug’s deflection could have hit the target, but Simon saved with his fingertips. Two minutes later, Merino sealed the fate of a semi-final that will go down in history.
