Spain will face France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after knocking out hosts Germany.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain triumphed 2-1 in an engrossing match between the two best-performing teams at the tournament, thanks to Mikel Merino heading home Dani Olmo’s cross just as the match looked destined for a penalty shoot-out.
“This is a winning horse… I’m proud to coach players like this, players that are insatiable,” said De la Fuente.
It was a tough end to the tournament for Germany, who pushed Spain all the way and took the match to extra time with Florian Wirtz’s 89th-minute strike which levelled Olmo’s opener for La Roja.
“We played a good tournament but when you’re so close, to be eliminated like that, it’s bitter,” said Toni Kroos after his final Germany match.
Spain now will be favourites to claim a record-breaking fourth European crown after their seventh straight win inspired by Olmo, who replaced injured Pedri after just eight minutes following a clash between the Barcelona midfielder and Kroos.
They came through a huge test against the Germans in Stuttgart and will pose a completely different kind of problem to France, who beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties after a drab match finished goalless after extra time.
Theo Hernandez coolly struck home the winning spot-kick as France went through to the last four despite their only goals from open play in the tournament being scored by opposition players.
Joao Felix was the only player to miss in the shoot-out, striking the base of post, meaning that Portugal go home and ageing icon Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score a goal at a major tournament for the first time in his career.
France have reached the semis in four of the last five tournaments and coach Didier Deschamps said: “We mustn’t take that for granted, that’s what I always say. It’s what all the players in the team deserve.”
-Macau Business-
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