Germany win epic shootout

Jonas Hector was Germany’s hero when he fired home the winning penalty, after Matteo Darmian missed for Italy, and they will now face either hosts France or Iceland in the last four. The shootout featured seven misses with some near-farcical spot kicks and was a complete contrast to the tense, tactical and highly-disciplined 120 minutes of football that preceded it.

The usually clinical Germans, who had not missed in a shootout since the 1982 World Cup, failed to convert three times but still progressed thanks to even more wayward shooting by Italy who sent two kicks wide and had two saved by Manuel Neuer.

Germany have now won their last six shootouts at major tournaments since losing to Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final. 

“It’s difficult to find the words. I’m overjoyed that the ball went in. I can’t describe the feeling. I took my heart in my hands and just wanted to knock it in.” Germany coach Joachim Loew added: “I congratulated him (Hector). It was a very special situation. I had a good feeling when he was taking his (penalty) shot.” 

Mesut Ozil had given Germany the lead midway through the second half before Leonardo Bonucci replied with a penalty following a bizarre handball by Jerome Boateng. 

Germany, who reached their sixth successive semi-final in a major tournament, had never previously beaten Italy at a major finals -- a run stretching back to the 1962 World Cup. 

Italy’s four wins included a World Cup final and two semis and the Euro 2012 semi-final. For Italy, the defeat was the end of the road in a campaign which has already taken them further than expected, with impressive wins over Belgium and holders Spain. Coach Antonio Conte has been credited with overcoming the lack of natural talent in his squad through tactical discipline and hard work but, with key midfielder Daniele De Rossi joining the injured list, Germany proved to be a bridge too far.