Germany will now face either hosts France or Iceland in the Marseille semi-final next Wednesday.
Advertisement
Bonucci gave Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer no chance 13 minutes later with a well-placed penalty as Italy, who eliminated holders Spain in the last 16, refused to buckle and sent the game into extra-time and a penalty shootout. Both the teams failed to score the penalties 3 times each in the initial 5, one of which was Mesut Ozil’s penalty that came off the goal-post.
Germany’s Joshua Kimmich scores in the penalty shootout.
Leonardo Bonucci converted a penalty in the 78th minute to bring Italy level after Jerome Boateng handled a flicked header by Giorgio Chiellini in the area.
The pain of Italy’s Euro 2016 exit has only increased with time as outgoing boss Antonio Conte admitted when speaking for the final time as Azzurri coach.
Paul Pogba has spoken of his delight at reaching the Euro 2016 semi-final with France, but admits he was upset by Italy’s penalty defeat to Germany in their quarter-final.
Speaking to Mediaset as Italy were greeted by supporters at Malpensa airport in Milan, Zaza said: “I missed the most important penalty of my career and it will be with me for the rest of my life”.
“I feel so sorry for the players”.
“We will take the good from this tournament into the next two years”.
While containing Italy in for most of the 90 minutes, a fine showing, for the most part, was put forth by Germany’s defense. “As a goalkeeper it is something I will always remember”. I have experienced something similar in 2006 in the World Cup against Argentina.
Extra time passed without significant incident, meaning penalties for the second time in the quarterfinals – after Portugal beat Poland on Thursday.
That’s when the Germans proved why they are Kings of the Penalty Kick, winning in a dramatic, nine-round penalty shootout to advance to the semis.
“Obviously I’m happy about this”, said relieved Germany coach Joachim Loew.
“After the World Cup, I realised we had to change a little bit”.
“But I believe we were the better side and are deservedly through to the semifinals”.
Advertisement
Those three make up the muscular spine of the team, three players who have been Germany regulars for years, and they will certainly be a lesser side without them.
