Spain 2-1 Germany: Player Ratings and Match Highlights

A titanic clash between the two best countries in Euros history went away from tournament hosts Germany, as an action-packed game full of drama saw Mikel Merino score a dramatic winner with 70 seconds left on the clock to secure a 2-1 victory for Spain.

Neither side seemed able to break away from one another in the first 45 minutes, with a succession of yellow cards coming each teams way after a mutltitude of fouls. Kai Havertz saw a decent chance saved well by Unai Simon after getting the better of Le Normand, but otherwise there was nothing to decipher a favourite between the two sides going in at half-time.

The second half did find an opener, and in quick fashion. A quick break from Spain saw Alvaro Morata release Lemine Yamal down the right-hand side, before the youngster slid a pass beyond Raum onto the very edge of the area for substitute Dani Olmo to wrap an effort home.

The game continued to eb and flow in the same way, with Max Mittelstadt, on as a sub, finding his way into the book as well. Unai Simon pulled off a great stop to deny Robert Andrich from distance, whereas Germany continued to try and break quickly to recover the game.

As the game entered it’s dying moments, Germany pushed and pushed, and they got their leveller through Wirtz, who smashed an equaliser home following a Mittelstadt cross that was headed his way brilliantly by Joshua Kimmich. The goal sparked pandemonium amongst the German faithful, and the host’s game was not done yet.

As penalties appeared to be the foregone conclusion, it became Spain’s turn to hit back with a dramatic late winner as Olmo turned provider, placing a wonderful ball into the centre to find the head of Mikel Merino, a fellow substitute, to wrap up a dramatic win in a game that did not disappoint.

Spain Player Ratings

Germany Player Ratings

Man of the Match – Dani Olmo

This very well could have gone the way of Joshua Kimmich, who was exceptional on the day, but the RB Leipzig man was the hero of Spain’s story on the day, with his finish at the start of the second half opening the scoring for the game, and his sumptuous cross at the game’s last breath found the assist to secure progression for Spain.

It was a truly box office game, and Dani Olmo provided the theatrics to get Spain through. Spanish fans might have been concerned when Pedri was withdrawn because of an injury, but his replacement was more than up to the task of guiding his team through the game.