Germany 1 Italy 1 (6-5 on pens): Jonas Hector scores winning penalty in a tense Euro 2016 quarter-final shoot-out
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Matteo Darmian missed as Thomas Muller's men eventually prevailed
Jonas Hector scored the winning penalty as Germany finally ended their Italy hoodoo in a tense penalty shoot-out.
The Germans had never beaten the Azzurri in eight meeting at major tournaments but were finally able to set the record straight tonight.
A total of FIVE spot-kicks were missed as players from both of these European giants were guilty of some wild efforts.
Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian was the first to wilt in Sudden Death after his tame effort was saved by Manuel Neuer.
And Koln left-back, Hector’s penalty squirmed under Gianluigi Buffon to send Germany through the semi-finals.
The game was billed as a meeting of Europe’s biggest teams — with each having been crowned world champions on four occasions — and the two most impressive teams at Euro 2016.
But it was a stinker of a first-half as both took a cautious approach.
Germany suffered an early blow as Sami Khedira was forced off with an injury after fifteen minutes and replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The two sides showed a bit more adventure after the interval and only a superb Alessandro Florenzi clearance off the line stopped Italy from going a goal behind.
Thomas Muller’s shot appeared to be creeping inside the post with Buffon beaten — only for the Roma man, who was running in the opposite direction, to readjust his body and flick the ball wide with his heel in mid-air.
Germany then began to take control of proceedings and were rewarded on 65 minutes through Mesut Ozil’s opener.
Neuer’s long punt upfield was headed on by Mario Gomez to the overlapping Hector, whose cutback was deflected straight to the Arsenal man.
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And Ozil swept past Buffon from eight yards.
The goal galvanised Germany even more and it only seemed a matter of time before they got a second.
Gomez was denied by a wonder save three minutes later when his improvised backheel forced Buffon into a sensational reaction stop.
But a moment of madness from Jerome Boateng offered Italy a way back in.
The Bayern Munich man clearly stuck out an arm and handled Florenzi’s corner.
Leonardo Bonucci was coolness personified as he swept the ball past Neuer.
Neither side could find the winner as Italy pressed.
Mats Hummels picked up a needless booking to rule himself out of the semi-final.
The game went to Extra Time with both sides tiring.
Germany’s hero against Slovakia, Julian Draxler, had a moment to forget in the second period.
He led a superb counterattack and had Muller in acres of space to his right but overhit a pass when trying to send the Bayern Munich striker through on goal.
It went to penalties with Germany attempting to extend an exceptional record of never having missed in a shoot-out since 1982.
Lorenzo Insigne and Toni Kroos showed nerves of steel before Simone Zaza — who had only been brought on to take a penalty — blazed over after a bizarre run up.
However, he was given a reprieve as Muller’s tame effort was saved.
Andrea Barazgli scored before Ozil struck a post to put Italy in the driving seat.
However, Graziano Pelle’s awful effort was worse still has he missed the target.
Draxler’s and Bonucci’s miss gave Schweinsteiger the chance to clinch it but the United man skied his effort.
It improved in Sudden Death as Emanuele Giaccherini, Hummels, Marco Parolo, Joshua Kimmich, Mattia De Sciglio and Jerome Boateng scored.
But Darmian’s missed effort allowed Hector to score the winning spot-kick.
Germany will now face either hosts France of England’s conquerors, Iceland, for a place in the Euro 2016 final.
DREAM TEAM RATINGS:
GERMANY: Neuer 6, Howedes 7, Boateng 8, Hummels 7, Kimmich 7, Khedira 6, Kroos 7, Hector 7, Muller 7, Ozil 7, Gomez 6.
SUBS: Schweinsteiger 7, Draxler 6
BOOKED: Hummels, Schweinsteiger
ITALY: Buffon 6, Barzagli 7, Bonucci 8, Chiellini 7, Florenzi 6, Sturaro , Parolo 6, Giaccherini 6, De Sciglio 7, Pelle 6, Eder 7
SUBS: Darmian 6, Insigne 5, Zaza 5
BOOKED: Sturaro, Parolo, Giaccherini, De Sciglio, Pelle