Spain v Germany LIVE: Result and reaction as Merino snatches 120th-minute winner

There’s no second summer fairytale for Germany, as it’s instead Spain who have the happy ending. For now. Mikel Merino ensured they rose above it all, with a brilliant header in the 119th minute. The big question as to whether they go and actually win Euro 2024 is what the cost of this 2-1 victory over the hosts will be. Toni Kroos didn’t get his grand farewell, either, as he instead contributed to a match that often turned ugly.

That meant that it didn’t quite become the game of the tournament in the manner anticipated but it was thoroughly absorbing, right until the death. And that was very, very late. It is easy to see why games like this can prevent teams from becoming champions, because of the gruelling physical and psychological cost. Spain now have Alvaro Morata and the red-carded Dani Carvajal suspended for the semi-final, with Pedri looking like he might be out injured – maybe for the summer. He was the victim of an abrasive challenge from Kroos in the opening minute, that very much set a tone.

And just like that, the light goes out, the curtain comes down, the show is over. Not just of Germany on home soil at Euro 2024, but of one of their greatest stars in modern history and one of the defining midfielders of a generation.

Toni Kroos bowed out of the club game with a Champions League winner’s medal and a performance to match the prestige of the occasion; his very last appearance came at international level though, where even he, the great pass-master of die Mannschaft, was unable to match the poise, the possession and most importantly the penetration of Spain.

There has been some surprise as the tournament has progressed over Kroos’ decision, of course. He starred in the group stage, head and shoulders above the rest on more than one occasion.

The Spaniard fought from a set down to defeat Frances Tiafoe on Centre Court:

Reaction from Michael Ballack: “It was a great game that had it all: excitement, class, fight, emotion and players that went beyond their limits.”

The last time the home nation won the Euros was France in 1984. Germany are knocked out in the last-eight.

Dani Olmo has been named Player of the Match with Uefa’s Technical Observer panel saying: “He came on as a substitute to fill the big shoes of Pedri.

“He was very dangerous, very involved in the game, scored a goal, provided an assist, and also did well out wide. Defensively did a good job as well.”

Spain have now won each of their last four European Championship quarter-final ties after losing each of the previous two.

There’s going to be a bit more reaction from Spain’s victory over Germany but right now, Portugal are taking on France in the second quarter-final of the night with all the latest updates right here:

This was only the fourth match in Euros history to see three different players score as a substitute – after Russia v Czech Republic in 1996 and Italy v Austria and Croatia v Spain both at Euro 2020.