Fabian Ruiz shines as Spain stuns Germany in Euro 2024
By Manuel Meza
After a two-day break, Euro 2024 resumes this Friday with the start of the quarter-finals. The first match is worth the wait with an exciting Spain vs. Germany clash. The competition host faced the Roja team which has undoubtedly played the best football since the beginning of the tournament. In this entertaining encounter, it was the Spaniards who advanced.
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Fabian Ruiz shines as Spain stuns Germany in Euro 2024
This match featured PSG player Fabian Ruiz. Performing well since the start of the competition (two goals and two assists in three games), the Parisian midfielder was once again a starter in the Roja midfield alongside Rodri.
From the start of the match, Spain faced a setback. After a harsh foul by Toni Kroos, who didn't receive a yellow card, Pedri held his knee. After getting up, he eventually had to leave the field and was replaced by Dani Olmo (7th minute).
Later, the Spanish team announced that the FC Barcelona player suffered an internal lateral ligament sprain in his left knee and would miss the rest of the Euro. On the field, Spain kept possession and created a few chances without breaking through Manuel Neuer's vigilance. The Germans also tried to be dangerous but without success. Both teams went into the locker rooms with a score of 0-0.
Right after the break, the Spaniards, still in control of the ball, managed to break the German defense. Found in the German box by Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo sent the ball into the net (1-0, 51st minute)—a deserved lead given Spain's dominance in the game.
With their backs against the wall, the Germans gradually pushed harder on the Iberian defense and created several good chances. But the Germans faced a strong Unai Simon and were denied by the post on a Fullkrug attempt (77th minute). As the match seemed headed for a Spanish victory, Florian Wirtz, who came on at halftime, struck the ball into the net with a half-volley that hit the post before going in (1-1, 89th minute). The two teams will have to be separated in extra time.