Billed as the final before the final, Germany and Spain came into the game on the back of solid displays so far in the competition. And following a goalless first half, Spain took the lead five minutes into the second half when Dani Olmo swept home a strike when he latched on to Lamine Yamal’s ball.
The goal brought the Germans to life, as chance after chance came and went without any headway for the 2014 world champions. Substitute Niclas Füllkrug came closest to an equaliser but saw his effort come off the post midway through the second half.
Just when it was looking like Spain had done enough to secure a spot in the last four, another substitute Florian Wirtz maintained his composure to strike home from inside the penalty area in the 89th minute, forcing the game to extra time.
Both teams continued to search for a winner in extra time, with Germany’s penalty appeals when a Jamal Musiala shot struck Marc Cucurella getting waved off and Spain substitute Mikel Oyarzabal forcing a save out of Manuel Neuer.
Füllkrug came close again but Unai Simon saved his goal-bound effort superbly, a save that proved crucial as Merino headed Spain ahead in the 119th minute off a cross from Olmo. Füllkrug will come close yet again to scoring but saw his header go narrowly wide while Carvajal saw red in the closing stages after a foul on Musiala.
Despite going down to 10 men, Spain’s joy burst forth at the full-time whistle to confirm their place in the last four of Euro 2024 where they await the winner of another blockbuster encounter between France and Portugal.