Merino Breaks Germany as Spain Shows Hosts the Exit Door In a stunning upset, Spain eliminated tournament favorites Germany from the UEFA Nations League in a thrilling 1-0 victory at the Allianz Arena on Thursday. Juventus midfielder Mikel Merino emerged as the unlikely hero for Spain, scoring the only goal of the game in the 89th minute. The 25-year-old pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the area and unleashed a powerful shot that flew past German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Germany, heavily favored to win the match, dominated possession for much of the game but failed to break down a resolute Spanish defense. Timo Werner had a golden opportunity to give the hosts the lead in the second half, but his shot rattled the crossbar. With time running out, Spain began to press forward with renewed vigor. Dani Olmo had a shot blocked by Neuer, but the ball fell to Merino, who made no mistake with his finish. The goal sent the Spanish players into raptures and silenced the home crowd. Germany, who had won all their previous matches in the Nations League, were left shell-shocked and saw their hopes of reaching the final four extinguished. Spain, on the other hand, celebrated a famous victory that not only eliminated Germany but also ensured their place in the semi-finals of the competition. The win was a statement of intent from a team that has been rebuilding under coach Luis Enrique. Merino’s goal will go down in Spanish football history as one of the most famous moments in recent memory. It was a moment that not only broke German hearts but also showed that Spain are a force to be reckoned with once again.Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a thrilling extra-time victory over Germany.Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after a thrilling extra-time victory over Germany. Dani Olmo opened the scoring for Spain early in the second half, but Florian Wirtz equalized for Germany in the final minute of regulation time. Mikel Merino headed in the winning goal in the 119th minute. Spain defender Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time for a second yellow card and will be suspended from Tuesday’s semi-final against Portugal or France. Fellow defender Robin le Normand will also miss that match after picking up another booking. The win ended the career of Germany’s Toni Kroos, who announced he would retire at the end of the tournament. The quarter-final was a highly entertaining match, with both teams playing attacking football. Spain had the better chances in extra time, and Merino’s goal was a deserved winner. Spain will now face Portugal or France in the semi-finals, while Germany will head home after a disappointing tournament.Merino breaks Germany as Spain shows hosts the exit door Spain eliminated Germany from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 with an 88-55 victory on Wednesday in Valencia. Astou Ndour led the way for Spain with 20 points, while Alba Torrens added 19 puntos. For Germany, Satou Sabally scored 14 puntos. Spain took control of the game from the start, outscoring Germany 27-13 in the first quarter. They continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, taking a 51-24 advantage into halftime. Germany never recovered, as Spain continued to dominate in the second half. The hosts were held to just 13 points in the third quarter, as Spain increased their lead to 76-37. In the fourth quarter, Spain cruised to victory, with Ndour and Torrens leading the way. The win sends Spain to the semifinals, where they will face France on Friday. Germany will play for fifth place on Saturday. Spain’s victory was a major upset, as Germany was the top-seeded team in the tournament. However, Spain played with great intensity and passion, and they were able to overcome Germany’s size and athleticism. Ndour was a force in the paint for Spain, scoring 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting. She also grabbed 8 rebounds. Torrens was also efficient, scoring 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Spain’s defense was also impressive, holding Germany to just 32.8% shooting from the field. The hosts were also outrebounded by Spain 43-28. Germany was led by Sabally, who scored 14 points. However, she was the only German player to score in double figures. The loss was a disappointing end to a successful tournament for Germany. However, they can still take pride in their performance, and they will be back in contention for a medal in 2025.