European Football Championship - Last stop quarter-finals: Spain shock stops the European Championship party
For a drama, for an energy output, for a bitter disappointment. The EM-Party is over after 120 minutes of passion and football madness. Spain's overpowering performance brutally ended the golden summer fun for Germany. The dream of a fourth EM title is two steps away from the finale for the DFB-team after three weeks of torch celebrations and cheerful performances.
Berlin remains after the painful goals of Leipzig's Dani Olmo (51. minute) and Mikel Merino just a few seconds before the end (119.) in a prolonged state of longing for Julian Nagelsmann and the German National Team. The equalizer by the outstanding Florian Wirtz (89.) and a phase full of courage and winning willpower did not help.
After the bitter defeat in Stuttgart against the unbeatable rival, not only the home EM for the DFB-team is over after the quarterfinals. The painfully injured Toni Kroos, after 114 international appearances, leaves the football stage with a painful defeat. It remains to be seen how it goes for the other Rio World Champions Manuel Neuer and Thomas Mueller in the National Team.
In an intense game with many tactical maneuvers and initially little party football, the Spaniards were once again cooler and more composed. The big build-up with fan favorite Niclas Füllkrug and the best tournament performance after the goal were not rewarded – this time the German super joker could not force luck. In the 77th minute, the Dortmund player hit the post. In the end, even Muller joined in, Wirtz at least ensured the prolongation.
While the Furia Roja, with Daniel Carvajal receiving a yellow-red card (120+5), plays for their fourth EM star, it's too early for trainer Nagelsmann to go on vacation, he wanted to celebrate his 37th birthday with the EM cup two weeks later.
The DFB professionals, led by captain Ilkay Gündogan, leave the EM stage defeated but not subdued. The mood in the sold-out Stuttgart stadium with 54,000 spectators and the rowdy fan zones in the country was relaxed and euphoric – at least until the headbutt just before the end. From the German football depression in the autumn of 2023, a spirit of renewal has actually emerged. Completely detached – as in the recycled fan hit – we're heading towards the WM 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Many fouls and interruptions
"Don't hide!", Nagelsmann had demanded for the quarterfinals – and surprisingly Emre Can instead of Robert Andrich was nominated for the starting lineup. The tension was noticeable in the national team in the early stages. After Pedri's shot just 52 seconds in, a stir, with which Neuer had no problems, the German team had great difficulty getting into the game.
Due to many fouls and petty fouls, there was hardly any rhythm in the game, Kroos was lucky that neither of his two fouls in the first five minutes resulted in a direct yellow card. Kroos fouled Pedri, causing him to be substituted early (8.). For the 21-year-old leader and thinker of the Spaniards, Olmo came into the game.
Setting signs, the Spaniards intimidated - the German starting lineup in the All-or-Nothing game was evident. However, the firm resistance of the German national team selection did not contribute to their playing security. Notably, after an error from Gundogan, Olmo charged towards Neuer's goal, Rudiger committed a foul to prevent him, and received his second yellow card of the tournament - the semifinal would proceed without him.
Little room for Musiala
When things went on offensively, they were on the right side. Joshua Kimmich supplied in the middle to Kai Havertz, but Havertz's header came too centrally towards the Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon (21.). The two offensive wings, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané, initially found no room for their technique and speed. The Danes in the quarterfinals (2:0) seemed to have identified Musiala as the German to be taken out of the game. The left full-back David Raum could only hinder Musiala's backward movement with fouls.
Spain did not always play at world-class level. Even the team with the most points in the group stage failed to deliver all passes and had trouble with the early pressing of the national team. English referee Anthony Taylor could have shown more than the three yellow cards in the first half. "A game on a high tactical level," said former national player Michael Ballack with extensive Spain experience at MagentaTV about the first half. It was clear early on: Who fell behind would have big problems.
Newer had to intervene in Laporte's (23) and Olmo's (39) finishes. The Spanish team's quick ball win against the passive Havertz preceded the chance for the substitute player. With a 0:0 at halftime, the German national players could be more satisfied than the Spaniards.
Nagelsmann corrects - Olmo scores
Nagelsmann corrected his personnel decisions in the second half: For Can, Robert Andrich came in, and Wirtz replaced Sané. The next really good chance belonged to the Spaniards: Morata pushed through in the penalty area against Tah and scored, but the goal went over Neuer's goal line (47.). The next Spanish shot missed the target.
Room was too passive against Spain's talent Lamine Yamal, in the middle Kroos gave Olmo too much space. The 26-year-old finished flat and accurately - and the Spaniards celebrated. It became very difficult for the German national team.
The fans in the stands chanted "Super Germany!" but the deficit held back the national players. Andrich saw a yellow card for a foul on Nico Williams (56.), like Rudiger, his second of the tournament. Then Nagelsmann brought on Gundogan as a substitute, who ran onto the field under loud cheers from the fans (57%).
The time ran out for the German team. Repeatedly, Germany got stuck at the Spanish penalty area or had bad luck, like Füllkrug's post hit. For the final phase, Mueller came in for Tah in the game (80%), it only counted to make an equalizer. Then came Wirtz and converted from Kimmich's pass. The decision had to fall in extra time, where Wirtz just missed (105+1%). Then came the bitter blow just before the penalty shootout.
After the disappointing loss, Berlin serves as a reminder of the unfulfilled dreams for Julian Nagelsmann and the German National Team. The failure to secure an equalizer despite Florian Wirtz's courage and Toni Kroos' valiant performance in his last international appearance was a bitter pill to swallow. The DFB selection's journey in the European Football Championship ended at the quarterfinals, leaving Spain to aim for their fourth EM star.
In the intense match, Niclas Füllkrug delivered his best tournament performance, but even his efforts couldn't produce luck for Germany. The resulting 1-2 scoreline saw Antonio Rüdiger sent off for a second yellow card, putting the semifinal out of reach. Despite the defeat, the German team left the field unsubdued, signaling renewed spirit for the 2026 World Cup.
Even Emre Can's surprise inclusion in the starting lineup couldn't shield Germany from the many fouls and interruptions that marred the game's rhythm. Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer, both Rio World Champions, remain with the German National Team, seeking to regain their former glory. Germany's offensives relied on Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sané, yet they struggled to break through Spain's defensive lines.
The German team's caution against Spain's talent Lamine Yamal and Olmo made space open for the opponents, ultimately allowing the latter to score the decisive goal. The game featured some close calls, as DFB professionals had to rely on last-ditch efforts from the likes of Toni Kroos and David Raum to prevent any additional damage. Spain's winning run was not without errors, as their ball control and early pressing by the German team often disrupted their play.
Former national player Michael Ballack commended both teams' high tactical level, noting how a single misstep could lead to significant consequences. Spain's last-minute goal prior to the penalty shootout dashed Germany's hopes of an unexpected comeback, making their journey to the World Cup 2026 even more challenging.
