Sports
EURO 2024: Spain Defeats Germany To Qualify For Semi-Final
Spain has eliminated the host, Germany from the ongoing EURO 2024 competition.
Mikel Merino goal in the final minute of extra time took Spain to a 2-1 win over Germany and into the Euro 2024 semis.
After a fiery yet goalless first half, Spain’s Dani Olmo latched onto an inch-perfect pass from Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal to give La Roja the lead on 51 minutes.
Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post with 14 minutes remaining but with the hosts staring at an early exit, Florian Wirtz slammed in a Joshua Kimmich knock-down in the 89th minute to take the game to extra time.
With a minute remaining extra time and the game looking set for penalties, Olmo lofted a cross for Merino, who headed Spain into the semi-finals and on course for a record-breaking fourth Euros crown.
Germany’s exit ends the hosts’ hope of a summer fairytale Euros victory after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, while also lowering the curtain on Toni Kroos’ stellar career.
The battle between the two most successful Euros nations, with three titles, was billed as a final come early, with the in-form Spaniards against Nagelsmann’s reborn hosts.
Spain nominated Kroos as Germany’s most dangerous pre-match but the midfielder had a huge, even if unintended impact early, colliding with Pedri, who was then subbed off with a leg injury for Olmo.
Germany, with the oldest squad at Euro 2024, struggled with Spain’s speed during the first half, frequently coming into duels a fraction too late, but the two best chances of the opening half fell to the hosts — and both to Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal forward leaped highest to head a cross directly at Unai Simon early and then scuffed a tame shot at the goalie later in the half with just the ‘keeper to beat.
After a goalless first half, Nagelsmann took off surprise starter Emre Can for the pink-haired Robert Andrich, while the ineffective Leroy Sane was hooked in place of Wirtz.
The substitution who would make his mark, however, was Olmo, who gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half, slicing through the sleepy German defence to perfectly place a Yamal pass past Manuel Neuer in the bottom left corner.
The goal kicked Germany into gear with Wirtz particularly dangerous.
The Bayer Leverkusen starlet linked with Fuellkrug on the counter with a quarter of an hour remaining but the striker, under heavy attention from the Spanish defence, could only hit the post.
With 10 minutes remaining, Nagelsmann made his final substitution, bringing veteran Thomas Mueller from the bench.
But it was Wirtz — 13 years his junior – who made the difference, skimming a Joshua Kimmich header across the grass and in at the far post in the final minute, sending the game to extra time.
Mikel Oyarzabal, on for Williams, curled a 104th-minute shot just wide of the post and Wirtz did the same a minute later with the goal beckoning.
Germany appealed strongly for a penalty in the second period of extra time, after a goal-bound Jamal Musiala shot connected with Marc Cucurella’s outstretched hand.
After the penalty drama, Olmo curled in a cross for Merino, who leapt high to head the ball past Neuer and put Spain into the Euros semi-finals.
AFP
Today we dive into some of the clubs that have already qualified for the 2025-26 Champions League group stage based on the current standings in some of the top European leagues and teams that have mathematically secured a top finish as of today, April 22, 2025:
Liverpool: They have mathematically secured a top-five finish in the Premier League, guaranteeing their Champions League spot due to England’s strong UEFA coefficient ranking.
Arsenal: They are highly likely to qualify, holding a significant point advantage over sixth place.
Bayer Leverkusen: They have secured a top-four finish in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich: They have also secured a top-four finish in the Bundesliga.
Barcelona: They are currently in a position to qualify through their league standing.
Real Madrid: They are also in a strong position to qualify through their league standing.
Paris Saint-Germain: They are in a qualifying position in Ligue 1.
Now, those are the usual suspects. There are several other teams that have qualified as league champions in their respective countries, though their entry point, i.e., group stage or qualifying rounds, depends on their league’s UEFA coefficient ranking. Some are familiar; others, not so familiar. They are:
Qarabag (Azerbaijan)
Differdange 03 (Luxembourg)
Crvena Zvezda (Serbia)
Malmö FF (Sweden)
Kairat (Kazakhstan)
KuPS (Finland)
Shelbourne (Ireland)
RFS (Latvia)
Víkingur (Faroe Islands)
Breiðablik (Iceland)
Linfield (Northern Ireland)
The New Saints (Wales)
Virtus (San Marino)
Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
Galatasaray (Türkiye)
Ajax (Netherlands)
Sporting CP (Portugal)
Genk (Belgium)
As the current season winds down, the number of qualified teams will increase. Follow the league standings in the major European leagues and the results of the current Champions League and Europa League to stay updated.
Burnley beat Sheffield United 2-1 to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League on Saturday, with the result also sending Championship leaders Leeds United up alongside them.
Leeds had earlier thrashed Stoke City 6-0 to go top of the Championship on 94 points with two matches remaining and needed Burnley to then not lose to third-placed Sheffield United to make sure they would finish in the top two.
Burnley duly obliged with Josh Brownhill scoring twice at Turf Moor, either side of Tom Cannon’s equaliser.
Scott Parker’s side, who were relegated last season, joined Leeds on 94 points to leave Sheffield United on 86, and now face the prospect of trying to join them via the playoffs.
Joel Piroe scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes for Leeds at a raucous Elland Road and added another before halftime as the hosts stormed 5-0 ahead by the interval.
Leeds are heading back to the top flight after being relegated in 2023 after three seasons in the Premier League.
Fourth-placed Sunderland are guaranteed a playoff place despite a 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers, who kept alive their slim hopes of a top-six finish.
Fifth-placed Bristol City went down 3-1 at relegation battlers Luton Town, but remained above Coventry City who also lost 3-1 to bottom club Plymouth Argyle.
Seventh-placed Middlesbrough will be kicking themselves as they failed to capitalise on the defeats for Bristol and Coventry as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday despite taking an early lead.
With two games remaining, Bristol City have 67 points, Coventry have 66, and Middlesbrough have 63.
Millwall and Blackburn, with 63 and 62 points respectively, are also still involved in the playoff picture.
AFP
The English Premier League matchday 33 delivered high drama and significant movements in the table as Chelsea pulled off a last-gasp comeback, Wolves completed a historic double over Manchester United, and Arsenal cruised to a dominant away victory.
Over at Craven Cottage, Fulham suffered a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side clawed back from a goal down to snatch all three points dramatically.
Chelsea claimed a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon to strengthen their push for UEFA Champions League qualification. Goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto in the final 15 minutes turned the tide after Alex Iwobi’s first-half strike had given the hosts the lead.
Chelsea struggled to create clear chances despite dominating possession for large stretches. The Blues lacked composure in the final third, with Pedro Neto seeing a powerful effort blocked by Bernd Leno and Cole Palmer dragging a promising opportunity wide after a clever run into the area.
Alex Iwobi had put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute, but Chelsea responded late. Tyrique George equalized in the 83rd minute before Pedro Neto fired home a stoppage-time winner (90’+3). The victory lifts Chelsea back to fifth, now just two points behind third-placed Newcastle.
At Portman Road, Ipswich Town suffered a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The Gunners dismantled the Premier League newcomers with a clinical performance.
Leandro Trossard netted twice (14’, 69’), while Gabriel Martinelli (28’) and teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri (88’) also got on the scoresheet. The win keeps Arsenal firmly in the title race and adds to Ipswich’s struggles near the bottom of the table.
At Old Trafford, Manchester United suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves in the Premier League matchday 33. Pablo Sarabia stunned the home crowd with a sublime free-kick in the 77th minute, sealing a second win of the season over United for Wolves.
Note that this is the first time the Midlands club has done the league double over United since the 1979-1980 season. The win puts Wolves level on points with the Red Devils, tightening the race for European spots.
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