Real Sociedad player Mikel Merino silenced Stuttgart’s MHP Arena and millions of Germans with a stunning header in the 119th minute that kept Spain’s dream alive in this EurocupAnd a curse was broken: ‘La Roja’ had never beaten a host in an official tournament.
Dani Olmo, MVP, was everything in Spain
Merino was the hero but Dani Olmo held the pride of Spain for 120 minutes, lacking the continuity that Luis de la Fuente did not want to give to the duo of cracks: Nico and Lamine left the field in the 80th and 63rd minutes respectively. The Riojan coach wanted to bring freshness in the final meters and the change, in Nico’s case, could not have gone better. He came on Merino in the 80th minute and few, practically no one, could have predicted that he would be the one in charge of taking Spain to the penultimate step of the European championship.
Fate also smiled on Olmo and Spain. The Leipzig striker came on in the 8th minute. after Pedri’s injury The Basque midfielder was beaten by a tough challenge from Kroos and was, without a doubt, the player of the match. He scored the opening goal in the 51st minute and his right foot produced a measured pass that the Basque midfielder finished with great precision and power in the last moments of extra time. Dani Olmo – one of those players who make the difference for his national team – touched by a magic wand when he puts on his country’s shirt and completely decisive when his team needs him most. A key player for Leipzig and who is beginning to write his legend in the history of Spain.
Morata, his ‘false’ sanction and some tears that say it all
The other side of the coin, if we can put it that way, was Álvaro Morata, one of the most prolific forwards in the history of the national team, who completed 80 discreet minutes with little involvement in the game and hardly any contribution in the offensive game. He left without scoring and with a yellow card in the 120th minute that would have prevented him from being in the starting line-up in the semi-finals. It could be because in the end it was not so, the referee’s report detailed that he did not see the card -which Fabián did- and if de la Fuente so wishes he could field him in the next round. The Atlético forward, always so questioned, starred in a striking image when he burst into tears seconds before the match. Taylor will blow the final whistle of the match.
Merino ‘removed’ Kroos
On the other hand, Joselu’s legendary phrase before the match: “let’s hope Kroos is removed”, or something very similar to that, became a reality, fortunately for Spain and unfortunately for the Germans and for Toni himself. Although the one who retired the legend German was the least expected: Mikel Merino.
The 34-year-old midfielder said goodbye with a cruel ending, very cruel. Discordant with the club season that ended just over a month ago and which ended with a treble for Real Madrid: League, Champions and Super Cup, spiced up with a historic farewell to one of the club’s great legends. After Merino’s header, the realization went directly to the face of the German, distraught, sad but always firm, in the pure German style in which the procession always goes inside. Merino and Spain ‘retired’ Kroos.
They will not be in the semi-finals
However, the battle against the host country also claimed several victims for Spain in the form of absences ahead of the semi-finals of the Euro Cup: Normand and Carvajal by sanction and Pedri due to injury.
Spain faces a possible record
In addition, Germany’s elimination against Spain opens up the opportunity for ‘La Roja’ to continue having a chance to break the tie with the Teutons and become the country with the most Euro Cups in history: 4.
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