Die Mannschaft progressed into the final four of Euro 2016 after a nervy penalty shooutout triumph over Italy earlier this morning.
A fierce knockout battle between two giants of the tournament was always going to be a tight result. With neither side wanting to give up an inch, the deadlock was not broken until an hour into the match – when Jonas Hector provided Mesut Ozil the opportunity for an easy tap-in.
Jerome Boateng’s handball inside the box would allow the Azzurri a way back though, with Leonardo Bonucci’s calm attempt sending the proceedings into extra-time and eventually a shootout. The top class abilities of both Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon were on display – but the German custodian’s save against Matteo Darmian was enough for Loew’s men.
Germany
Manuel Neuer – 7.5: Was not called into action too much over the 90 minutes, but performed expertly in the shootout with two denied spot-kicks.
Benedikt Howedes – 5.5: Battled for the ball around the 18-yard box and passed forward with solid accuracy.
Jerome Boateng – 5.5: Recorded three interceptions and two clearances, also generating a chance to score for teammates. Was called for handball late in the sceond-half to give the Azzurri a penalty.
Mats Hummels – 6: A couple of nervy moments saw the Italian attack break in-behind, but Hummels continued composure kept the Germans on the front-foot. Calmly slotted home in the shootout as well.
Joshua Kimmich – 6.5: Sent seven crosses into the box and created three chances on goal.
Sami Khedira – 5: A groin injury saw Khedira substituted within the first 15 minutes, yet his experience at Juventus no doubt proved invaluable.
Toni Kroos – 6: Fought with the usual dedication among a clustered midfield, passing with a pinpoint eye and also sending a high number of crosses into the box.
Jonas Hector – 6: A more physical presence on the wing for this game, Hector kept the opposition momentum to a minimum while also sparking a couple of moves forward. Provided the assist for Ozil’s opener.
Thomas Muller – 6: Deployed more centrally here and had a better effect than his previous games f the tournament. Had a goal-bound shot cleared basically off the line just after halftime.
Mesut Ozil – 7.5: Put Germany ahead with a simple tap-in on the hour-mark, however, missed another penalty attempt in the shootout.
Mario Gomez – 6: Did not really do enough to get himself involved and was replaced just after his side took the lead.
Substitutes
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6.5: Was able to play most of the game and made no notable errors, yet missed his attempt from the spot against Buffon.
Julian Draxler – 5.5: The youngster was kept under wraps by the opposition back three.
Italy
Gianluigi Buffon – 6: The Italian icon always puts in a brave performance and was called into action three times before the shootout, where he also stopped the attempt of Muller.
Giorgio Chiellini – 5.5: Was a dominant presence in the air and made six clearances. Substituted at the end of extra-time.
Leonardo Bonucci – 7.5: Dispatched the second-half penalty which brought Italy back on level terms and was a master at the back with four interceptions.
Andrea Barzagli – 6.5: Distributed the ball with 93% accuracy and kept Ozil from running wild in the box.
Marco Parolo – 6: Protected the backline well and created a chance to score.
Mattia De Sciglio – 7.5: Worked hard at both ends of the field, sending two crosses into the box while also recording three interceptions and five clearances.
Emanuele Giaccherini – 6: Could not find space to get off a decent shot on goal, but did well to disrupt Germany’s possession.
Stefano Sturaro – 5.5: Had a decent effort on goal from distance and passed with 85% accuracy.
Alessandro Florenzi – 5: Struggled again to impose himself on the wing and was substituted just before extra-time began.
Eder – 6: Did not see any individual shots, but generated three other chances.
Graziano Pelle – 5.5: Put a shot wide of the post in the 74th minute and missed his spot-kick against Neuer.
Substitutes
Matteo Darmian – 5.5: Saw the game through to the penalty shootout, but did little of note after his introduction.
Lorenzo Insigne – 6: Forced an extra-time save from Manuel Neuer.
Simone Zaza – N/A: Came on just before the shootout and missed his attempt.
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