Goal in the 120th minute! Spain defeats Germany 2-1, Yamal assists, Merino scores the last-second winner.

The 2024 European Cup quarter-finals began, featuring the clash between host Germany and Spain as the opening match. In the earlier round of 16, Spain overturned Georgia 4-1 for a powerful advancement. Germany beat Denmark 2-0, Havertz opened the scoring with a penalty kick, but subsequently squandered multiple opportunities. Historically, the two sides have met three times in the European Cup, Spain slightly leads with two victories and one defeat.

After kick-off, both teams played cautiously, not committing too many players to press high up the field. During transitions to defense, they fouled decisively to immediately disrupt the opponent's rhythm, resulting in a high number of fouls for both sides throughout the half. Spain's technical superiority created more shooting chances, but Germany also produced several threatening attacks.

In the 1st minute, Spain created a shooting opportunity: Nico Williams received the ball on the left and passed to Morata in the central area of the box, who laid it back, Pedri followed up with a low shot, but it was too central and saved by Neuer; In the 4th minute, Spain intercepted in their own half and launched a counterattack, Kroos tripped Pedri who was advancing with the ball, this foul also forced the latter to leave the pitch unable to continue. In the 8th minute, Olmo came on to replace Pedri, Spain had to change formation.

In the 10th minute, Germany also mounted a counterattack, but Raum's cross from the left side of the box went straight to Unai Simon; In the 14th minute, Yamal took a direct shot from a free-kick, the ball went slightly wide; In the 17th minute, Fabian Ruiz attempted a long-range shot from outside the box, the ball flew over the crossbar; In the 21st minute, Kimmich crossed from the right, Havertz headed from the center of the box, but lacked power and was too central, easily caught by the keeper; In the 23rd minute, Laporte carried the ball forward to outside the box and unleashed a sudden shot, Neuer spilled it but quickly recovered.

In the 35th minute, Rudiger delivered a precise long pass from the back to Havertz, who chested it down, turned and shot, Unai Simon collected the ball; In the 39th minute, Spain intercepted in the attacking half, Olmo's long shot was saved by Neuer; At halftime, the score was 0-0; After the break, both teams made substitutions: Wirtz and Andrich came on for Sane and Emre Can; Spain replaced Le Normand with Nacho; In the 47th minute, Spain executed a coordinated attack in the front, Yamal crossed from the right to Morata in front of goal, who received it back-to-goal and shot immediately, but missed!

In the 52nd minute, the balance was broken: Yamal passed from the right flank in the attacking half, Olmo followed up centrally and struck a low shot into the net, 1-0, Spain leads! Afterwards, the pace and rhythm noticeably increased, Germany began to intensify their attack; In the 63rd minute, Ferran Torres replaced Yamal, the latter visibly unhappy; In the 67th minute, Kroos committed a tactical foul by pulling down Olmo and received a yellow card; In the 69th minute, Füllkrug set up the ball in the box, Andrich followed up with a shot that was saved, but slow replay suggested Füllkrug might have been offside; Thereafter, it was largely Germany attacking with possession while Spain countered.

In the 71st minute, Havertz fired a strong shot in the box, Carvajal made a crucial block on the ground! In the 77th minute, Germany launched a counterattack, Wirtz crossed from the right, Füllkrug shot while falling in the box and hit the post! In the 79th minute, Morata and Nico Williams were both substituted, Spain began defending全力, while Germany replaced Tah with Muller, continuing to stack tall attackers upfront.

In the 83rd minute, Havertz missed a great chance with a lob over the empty goal; In the 89th minute, Kimmich headed to the back post, Wirtz volleyed to equalize at the last moment, 1-1! Spain still couldn't withstand the final minutes; After 4 minutes of added time, the teams drew 1-1 and entered extra time; Both sides had opportunities in extra time, Germany's attacks were more threatening. In the 120th minute, Merino scored, Spain clinched victory over Germany, ultimately advancing to the European Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 score, the host nation exited黯然!