A Mikel Merino goal in the last moments of extra time gave Spain a dramatic 2-1 win over hosts Germany in an enthralling Euro 2024 quarter-final clash on Friday between the tournament’s two most successful nations.

The eagerly anticipated match hit fever pitch as the teams slugged it out at a raucous Stuttgart Arena filled by a majority of German fans who were left heartbroken after the hosts’ gritty display fell short by the narrowest of margins.

Spain were the better side for the first hour and wasted several opportunities before Dani Olmo gave them a deserved lead six minutes after the break, drilling home a first-time shot into the bottom corner.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann made five substitutions in a desperate attempt to find the equaliser. It worked as, in the 89th minute, substitute Florian Wirtz, the Bundesliga’s player of the year for champions Bayer Leverkusen, hammered home a shot from Joshua Kimmich’s header to force extra time.

The first period of extra time was finely poised. Both teams went close to taking the lead. Mikel Oyarzabal’s venomous long-range effort was tantalisingly close before Wirtz narrowly missed the target at the other end. Unai Simon was equal to Niclas Füllkrug’s well-placed header.

The game was into the 119th minute and looked set for a penalty shootout when substitute Merino rose to head home the winning goal from Olmo’s cross.

Germany pushed hard for a late leveller and Spain fullback Dani Carvajal was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for tackling Jamal Musiala to avoid a counterattack.

He and centre-back Robin Le Normand will miss the semi-final, as Spain held out to advance to the last four.

The result also meant that Germany’s Toni Kroos’ decorated international career ended on a disappointing note.

Billed by most as a clash of the competition’s two strongest sides, the tournament’s first quarter-final started at a ferocious pace.

Pedri stung Germany keeper Manuel Neuer’s palms with a low shot inside the opening minute, only to be replaced by Olmo minutes later after suffering an injury.

Lamine Yamal dragged a low free-kick wide of Neuer’s left-hand post and Olmo sent a left-footed drive over the crossbar as Spain sought to assert control. Kai Havertz headed Joshua Kimmich’s looping cross straight at Simon in Germany’s first clear-cut opening of the contest. The lively Nico Williams then had a close-range attempt repelled by Neuer.