Substitute Mikel Merino headed Spain into the European Championship semifinals as they snatched a 2-1 win over Germany in extra time in Stuttgart.
Florian Wirtz’s equaliser in the last minute of regulation time sent the gripping quarter-final to extra time after Dani Olmo, who set up Merino’s 119th-minute winner, had netted the opener early in the second half.
“It was the game we expected,” Merino said, “because we were facing one of the best teams in the world. This could have been a final, and it sure played out that way. This was a game between elite teams, a constant back and forth, and we showed that we have a great team.”
Spain defender Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time for a second yellow card and will be suspended from Tuesday’s semifinal against France. Fellow defender Robin le Normand will also miss that match after picking up another booking.
The result ended the career of Germany’s Toni Kroos, who announced he would retire at the end of the tournament.