Germany progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA under-17 European Championship in dramatic circumstances. A 0-0 draw was followed by a penalty shoot-out, as the Germans prevailed 4-2.
The game began as a slow burner. Neither side were able to get any meaningful possession in their opponents half, with Spain's diagonals towards Dani Olmo could only be described as 'hopeful at best'. Alex Martín had the only real chance at goal in that period, flashing his header over from a corner.
Mats Köhlert also picked up a needless booking for a rash challenge on Cucu, ruling him out of the semi-final match-up. Constantin Frommann very nearly cost his team the opening goal when he was closed down by Fran Villalba, though Kuki's attempt was tame and allowed the goalkeeper to recover.
Spain were continuing to look the more likely to open the scoring and it took an excellent stop from Frommann to deny Kuki. Some quick passing sent the forward through on goal, who saw his stinging drive pushed behind. Germany had another problem to cope with soon after, as a heavy clash involving Joel Abu Hanna ended up with the Bayer Leverkusen man having to be replaced by Salih Özcan.
While Christian Wück's men were being dominated for large parts, they had two great opportunities to go ahead at the end of the half. Niklas Schmidt and Köhlert combined, though the latter had his chip brilliantly saved by Iñaki. The resulting corner brought another chance, this time Johannes Eggestein nodded just over.
Janni-Luca Serra replaced Schmidt at half-time, while Dani Morer was quick to pick up a booking that would rule him out of their next game. Star-ma Felix Passlack had been largely subdued by Morer and was struggling to make the impact he'd had in the group stages.
Both teams were struggling to create anything of substance and their respective defences didn't look like giving up too many chances. The introduction of Dzenis Burnic for Eggestein allowed Passlack to push inside and a twenty-yard effort narrowly swerved wide almost immediately after the change.
Eventually the 80 minutes of normal time ended goalless, meaning penalties would be the cruel mistress to decide the outcome of the game. Pepelu, Gökhan Gül, Olmo and Vitaly Janelt all confidently dispatched their penalties, in what was an exemplary first four spot-kicks.
Captain Carles Aleñá stepped up for the fifth kick and saw it easily saved by Frommann. Passlack then squeezed it under Iñaki, before Fromann produced the goods to halt Óscar. Özcan was the man in charge of sealing the win for Germany and he did just that, sending the 'keeper the wrong way.
That resulted in Germany progressing to the semi-finals and securing a place in the 2015 FIFA under-17 World Cup. As for Spain, they now face the loser of England-Russia for a place in Chile this autumn.