Programme: UEFA Euro 2024, Quarter-finals
Competition Day: Friday, July 5, 2024
Stadium: MHP Arena, Stuttgart
Results: 90 min 1-1 draw, extra time Spain beat Germany 2-1.
Really exciting, and worth watching. The biggest match between the final eight teams. Euro 2024 Especially in the second half, Spain took the lead through Dani Olmo, before the match ended 1-0, Germany managed to come back through Florian Wiertz, before the duel was won from the decisive penalty kick Miguel Merino played the role of the hero of the Spanish nation. He scored the winning goal 2-1, to eliminate the host Germany from the road and Spain qualified for the qualifiers.
Unai Simon – 7 – You don't have to do much to save the door. He had to be a strong striker before he was allowed to score. Before he made another important save in the 116th minute, defending against a header from Niclas Füllkrug.
Mark Jojoria – 6 – It's not a unique game or one with many roles. Especially the attacking game that hardly increases. Before I was lucky to touch a handball but he didn't miss a penalty when Jamal Musiala hit his arm in the second half of extra time.
Aymeric Laporte – 7 – In addition to controlling the defensive play well, not giving the host a chance to provoke. He is still looking for opportunities to help the attacking game, as happened in the 23rd minute when he advanced forward to climb completely into the hands of Manuel Neuer, but in the end he was unable to resist the intensity of Spain.
Robin Le Nordmand – 7 – Played calmly and shone well with the big Laporte, but got a yellow card in the first half hour. Which led to his quick removal at the start of the second half. To avoid getting a red card
Dani Carvajal 6 Run up and down like a robot. Always play hard to fight without fear. Even had to sacrifice myself. Take your opponent down before he can reach the edge of the line. Until you get yellow and red and banned from playing in the playoffs
Fabian Ruiz – 8 – He put in a shot just outside the box in the 19th minute that should have really been sent to a friend. Then he showed his technique admirably. They often win midfield games by playing superior. Opponents didn't get it right.
Rodry – 7 – Play hard There are moments of winning and snatching the ball. The moment of losing is clear but even in the end, it's not a very great game. There's no chance to add more information. The winner still goes to the playoffs
Pedri – 6 – I saw the chance to add a strike from just over a minute in. Although it was still light in Neuer's hands, it was still an important signal. However, he was unfortunately injured in the seventh minute after being trampled on by Toni Kroos and had to leave the game early.
Nico Williams – 7 – The first chance to end the game was a long-sighted effort, not exactly inside the frame, and it had to wait until the 36th minute for another chance. The moment Rudiger went past to look for the first post but Neuer did not pass equals a good overall picture. In fact, it is still unlikely to take off in the last half hour.
Alvaro Morata – 6 – The first half was quiet, with no chance of ending, but the second half managed to find a golden opportunity in the 47th minute only, when he turned and shot from just 7 yards out, but unfortunately it went over the bar. However, the overall picture is that this game is a bit quiet.
Lamine Yamal – 7 – He tried to use trick shots. He took a low free-kick from dangerous distance in the 15th minute but it went wide and there was no chance. He then had the difficult task of battling with David Raum and several of the home side’s best players. Make it a game where dancing and doing anything is uncomfortable. He did, however, provide an assist, making it 1-0 early in the second half before being substituted.
Spare
Dani Olmo (Instead of Pedri, 8th place) – 9 – He came on as a striker in place of the unfortunately injured Pedri. There were few moments of action on the ball in the first half. But a great chance to shine in the 39th minute forced Neuer into a tackle and save. At the start of the second half he came from the second row and shot without holding, opening the score at 1-0, which made him play with confidence. His tactical skills were on full display, even adding one assist for Miguel Merino to head home the winner.
Nacho Fernandez (Replaced Robin Le Nordmand, 46) – 7 – Do your best to prevent the home team's offensive play. Most of them did a good job.
Ferran Torres (Tan Lmin Yamal p. 62) – 5 – Going down and asking your opponent for a yellow card. But after giving him just a glance, he loses his yellow card. And all the time he spends on the field is not as useful as it was when Lamine Yamal was in the game.
Miguel Merino (Replaced Nico Williams, 79) – 8 – It's almost like a reserve who just comes down to save everyone. There's no point in playing the game. But then he became a superhero. Heading in Olmo's opener into the back of the net, Spain won an incredible game.
Miguel Oyarzabal (Instead of Alvaro Morata, 79) – 6 – Didn't do much when Germany had the ball at the end. There will be some chances to shine in extra time. But not dangerous enough.
Joselu (Second Fabian Ruiz, 103) – 5 – He came on to add to the attacking play at the end of the first half for 30 minutes of extra time but barely touched the ball. Even at the end there will be a big celebration.
Manuel Neuer – 7 – In the first half, 2-3 shots were saved that helped the team, which were not considered beyond their strength. But it was not possible to help Spain achieve the winning goal 1-0, which Olmo shot into the right corner. Including the decisive ball game nothing could be done either with an excellent header by Miguel Merino.
David Raum – 7 – The explosive kid Yamal was a great match. He shows more power in many rhythms and adds to the attacking game well. Surprisingly he was substituted in the second half. Although the session should have been spent more on the attacking game.
Jonathan Tah – 6 – Very useful in defensive plays. Especially after Alvaro Morata as a shadow. Has reliable rhythm when playing the ball in the air
Antonio Rudiger – 7 – I got a yellow card very quickly in the 13th minute, which made me be very careful every moment after that. But overall not a bad game. Just closing Spain's training and not being there.
Joshua Kimmich – 8 – Play with great quality both offensively and defensively. Added a special touch to the game all the way. Kai Havertz's header, for example, opened the scoring in the 21st minute and just as the team was about to slip. He pushed the game to the limit, heading in Florian Wirtz to pull the trigger and equalise before the end of the 90 minutes.
Toni Kroos – 6 – Played a bit wrong at the start, especially the shot that went on Pedri's foot until the latter was injured and had to be substituted immediately. Then the timing of the ball was beautiful. There are quite a few to see. Including having to try to help the defensive play. He got a yellow card after several minor fouls.
Emre Can – 6 – Surprisingly included in the real thing though he was called up for science as a boxer instead although the first half didn't have much of a role in playing with the ball. But they managed to face the Spain midfield without being inferior. With more experience than the opponents
Leroy Sane – 6 – He continued to play in place of Florian Wirtz, but showed almost no style in the first half. On the contrary, he had to drop back and help out Neco Williams several times. He did not continue in the second half.
Ilkay Gundogan – 5 – Besides the last game that was not played well. I came to this game even though I tried to run a lot. But they hardly found the opportunity to penetrate the Spanish defense. And also not creating any benefit in the defensive game. Until he was substituted again in the 57th minute
Jamal Masila – 6 – Run up and down, find the ball, help the team a lot in attack and defense. But at the same time, the offensive game was so blocked that he couldn't do anything properly. Not as bright as previous games
Kai Havertz – 4 – He had a chance to head over Kimmich's opener in the 21st minute, but his header was too light for Unai Simon to get through without difficulty, as in the 35th minute when he pressed from dangerous distance. He is as light as ever. The second half is almost no different. That is, even if he finds a good area he can create chances but the finish is too straightforward. Especially at the end of the match, where a clear ball from outside the penalty area went over the bar, it was disappointing. Connected with a heavy header. Did not get past the goalkeeper's safety.
Spare
Florian Wirtz (Replaced Leroy Sane in position 46) – 8 – He clearly had more flashes of attacking play than Sane, and had a chance to shine in the 60th minute but was fouled and only won a corner. Although there was a lack of accuracy at times. But at the end of the match, in the 89th minute, he became the team's hero. His shot hit the far post to level the score at 1-1.
Robert Andrich (Replaced Emre Can, 46th place) – 5 – Coming down to add freshness and aggression in midfield. But it couldn't have helped them to go 1-0 down early in the second half when Olmo pounced and shot past him. Then there was the unnecessary yellow card loss. But they almost got an equaliser too in the 69th minute through a super save from Unai Simon.
Niklas Füllkrug (Tan Ilkay Gundogan (57) – 7 – He used his power to create havoc in the Spanish defence well and should have scored in the 77th minute when his charged ball unfortunately hit the post. Like a 120+ header that went inches wide of the post.
Maximilian Mittelstadt (David Raum p. 57) – 6 – Dropping down to add freshness to the defensive game along the left sideline. But in reality, it might be better to save the replacement share for use elsewhere.
Thomas Muller (Instead of Jonathan Tah, 80) – 7 – It created a flash of threat very well. Unfortunately, the chance to finish it myself never came.
Waldemar Anton (Tan Kai Havertz 91) – 6 – Session number 6 of the substitutes to add extra time to the game which was not a bad performance. It only opened the way for Miguel Merino to head the winning goal.
