Germany beats Italy to advance to semifinals

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said he had never been in a penalty shooutout as wild as the one that saw Germany through to the Euro 2016 semifinals, 6-5 at Italy’s expense on Saturday.

Die Mannschaft will now play the victor of hosts France and Iceland, who lock horns on Sunday, in the last four.

The Bayern Munich ‘keeper admitted he had been annoyed when Bonucci’s 78th-minute penalty had cancelled out Mesut Ozil’s opening goal in regular time.

But Italy clawed themselves back into the game when Leonardo Bonucci levelled from the penalty spot 12 minutes from the end of normal time after a Jerome Boateng handball.

Though the game started predictably on a cautious note for both teams, the dramatic quarter-final clash sparked to life right from the first half when Germany had a goal disallowed and Italy failed to take a double chance on the stroke of half-time.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer gave his side another sight of victory by saving Matteo Darmian’s penalty, and Hector held his nerve. I don’t think we could have done any more.

The deadlock was broken just after the hour mark as Florenzi lost track of the ball and Mario Gomez played in Hector, whose cross sat up perfectly for Ozil to sweep home. They recovered thanks to their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and some truly bad efforts from Italy.

Supporters in Rome celebrate after Italy scored as they watch the live broadcast of the soccer Euro 2016 Soccer Championship quarterfinal match between Italy and Germany played in Bordeaux, Saturday July 2, 2016. Die Mannschaft are yet to concede a goal during the tournament, although Italy will offer the biggest attacking threat of all the teams they have faced so far.

With something to defend, the earlier pattern of the match returned with Italy happy to cede possession and Germany lacking the guile to make further inroads.

Toni Kroos kept his cool to level and Italy substitute Simone Zaza, brought on with the final kick in extra-time, fired his penalty wildly over the bar with his first kick of the game.

“I knew I had to take one at some point and I had my heart in my mouth”, said Hector.

In the end, for Antonio Conte’s entreprising Italy, it was not to be.

Italy joins France, Mexico, England (twice) and Argentina as victims of German efficiency from the spot.

Few countries can claim to be as successful from the penalty spot as Germany. That only served to wake Italy from their slumber, with Bonucci sending Giaccherini clear with a magnificent long ball, and he crossed for Sturaro in the box, whose shot with the goal at his mercy was deflected off Boateng and went wide.

The victory was Germany’s first over Italy in a major tournament, following four previous knockout-stage defeats and four group-stage defeats.

Daniele De Rossi was Italy’s most prolific passer from midfield before this match, attempting 115 passes and completing 98 of them.

Didier Deschamps’ men had to fight back from one nil down against Ireland to reach the quarters.