Germany’s hopes of progressing in UEFA’s Euro 2024 tournament were dashed as they were eliminated by Spain in a thrilling 2-1 match in Stuttgart. The decisive goal came in the 119th minute from Mikel Merino, ending Germany’s dreams of reaching the final in Berlin.
Both teams had their opportunities during the match, with neither side clearly dominating. Despite the loss, retiring player Toni Kroos expressed pride in the team’s efforts to avoid defeat and expressed disappointment at falling short.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz commended both sides for their performance, highlighting the attacking football displayed throughout the match.
Advantage Spain thanks to substitute Olmo
Spain took the lead through Dani Olmo in the 51st minute, showcasing their attacking prowess. Despite Germany’s efforts to equalize, Spain’s defense held firm, and the match was forced into extra time.
Germany force extra time at the last
Florian Wirtz’s late equalizer sent the game to extra time, where both teams continued to push forward in search of a winner. Ultimately, it was Spain who prevailed, with Mikel Merino heading home the winning goal.
End to end in extra time
Despite Germany’s efforts, Spain emerged victorious and secured their spot in the semifinals of the tournament. They will now face either Portugal or France in the next stage.
Edited by: Alex Berry