Germany needed a positive result against tournament favourites Spain tonight, or their European Under-21 Championship campaign would go no further than the group stages.
Spain came into the clash fresh from a win over Russia and started brightly, with Thiago Alcantara striking the post before the break.
A frustrating encounter looked to be drifting towards a goalless draw, but substitute Alvaro Morata struck three minutes from time to earn Spain a hard-fought victory.
Here, look back at a match that secured Spain's semi-final spot with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Evening European football fans. Tonight's latest offering from the Under-21 championships in Israel features two sides packed full of talented prospects, with tournament favourites Spain taking on Germany in Netanya.
A Spain side featuring the likes of Isco and Iker Muniain just about got the job done in their opening match, edging Russia by a single goal. Germany should provide another stern test of their credentials this evening, with a young team captained by Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lewis Holtby.
Three points are essential for both teams tonight, but particularly Germany after defeat in their opening match to a strong Dutch side. A Spanish victory tonight would see Rainer Adrion's youngsters eliminated from the competition after two matches, so a positive result is an absolute necessity.
Earlier this evening Holland brushed Russia aside 5-1, all but confirming their qualification from Group B. Spain are in pole position to join the Dutch by reaching the last four, but a German success tonight would throw the group wide open with one match left to play.
Germany's hopes of taking any positives from their second-half showing against the Dutch were dealt a further blow yesterday, with two strikes ruled out of the squad to face Spain by injury. Peniel Mlapa is out of the competition altogether with a hamstring problem, while Christoph Moritz misses tonight's match with the flu.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Both sides have opted to freshen things up tonight, with Muniain the most notable omission. Coach Julen Lopetegui has also resisted the temptation to include Morata from the start, despite his impact from the bench against Russia. A full look at both sides will follow in just a few moments.
SPAIN: De Gea, Montoya, Bartra, Inigo Martínez, Moreno, Illarramendi, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Isco, Rodrigo, Tello
GERMANY: Leno, Jantschke, Thesker, Ginter, Sorg, Rudy, Rode, Holtby, Herrmann, Clemens, Volland
With a lack of options available Germany have chosen to start Christian Clemens in attack, with support coming from Kevin Volland in a wide role. Much of the creative influence will come from Holtby, who was quite outstanding during that spirited fightback against the Dutch three days ago.
Spain possess an embarrassment of riches in midfield and have opted to start both Isco and Thiago Alcantara in advanced positions tonight. Benfica forward Rodrigo continues in a lone front role, but with a fluid system expect support to come from a variety of outlets. Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea also keeps his place in between the sticks.
PREDICTION! Both sides are just leaving the tunnel in Netanya, which just about gives me time to hazard a guess at tonight's scoreline. Germany must defend better than their first-half showing against the Dutch to stand a chance, but I expect this clash to be highly competitive. With Thiago Alcantara pulling the strings I think Spain will just prove too strong, earning a narrow 2-1 victory.
Pre-match formalities are just about complete, with both sides belting out hearty versions of their national anthems. This match also looks to be just about a sell-out in Netanya, lets hope these two talent-laden sides can give us a match to savour this evening!
We are underway in this Group B showdown, with Germany quickly attacking as Holtby drives out wide. The playmaker's early cross is flashed into the penalty area with menace, but De Gea is off his line quickly to claim under little pressure.
Spain captain Thiago shows the first glimpse of his undoubted talent, gliding between two players to keep possession inside the centre-circle. Germany are pressing high up the pitch in a move which bodes well for a match full of attacking intent.
A neat interchange between Rodrigo and Thiago sets up Koke just outside the penalty area, but his low strike lacks power and trickles through for Leno to make a routine save. Quick movement was evident there in a slick move, which has become synonymous with Spain sides at all levels in recent years.
SHOT! Koke controls quickly to meet a clearance and from 20 yards volleys towards goal. This time his strike has venom but forgets placement, with a swerving effort flying well over the crossbar. That chance came from Spain's first corner kick of the night, which came courtesy of a strong overlap out wide from Alberto Moreno.
A direct burst forward from Holby helps Germany ease early pressure, with the midfielder eventually winning a free kick around 20 yards from goal. The playmaker elects to take himself, with a low effort bent round the wall attempting to deceive De Gea. The Manchester United goalkeeper reads Holtby's intentions, diving quickly to catch with relative ease at his far post.
This match is really starting to take shape, with both sides committing numbers forward in attack. Montoya screwed a shot wide for Spain, but within 20 seconds Germany had broke forward in space through Volland. The forward had time to make a decision inside the penalty, but wasted the opportunity as his kick at fresh air saw him tumble to the floor!
Unsurprisingly Spain are starting to dictate possession from midfield, but a poor attempt to switch play from Illarramendi slows down a promising passage of play. Montoya is then unable to chase down a long diagonal pass as Germany get the chance to regroup.
Tello gets involved for the first time with menace inside the final third, teasing Jantschke with trickery before selling the full-back a clever dummy. After driving into the penalty area the forward's shot on goal is quickly blocked, with Germany breaking to win a free kick at the other end after Koke brought down Volland.
Clemens flashes a powerful free kick past De Gea's far post with a credible effort, but the goalkeeper did not look troubled by the strike at any stage. Germany's defence then stands up to a testing cross from Isco on the break, with Ginter smashing clear under pressure.
OFF THE POST! Spain go within inches of breaking the deadlock, with Thiago robbing Sorg of possession inside the penalty area. The playmaker is quick to strike at goal, but his curling effort from an acute comes crashing back off the post and away to safety. Desperate unlucky there for Spain, with Germany not punished for a moment of madness inside their own box!
MISS! Germany are being forced to defend deep inside their own half, with Tello and Moreno stretching the game by staying wide towards the touchline. Isco then gets involved to deadly effect, teasing two defenders before finding Rodrigo's clever run behind the back four. The forward is quickly closed by Leno, eventually shooting inches beyond the near post after being forced wide.
Isco shows more impressive close control, shielding the ball with precision before being bundled over by Volland for his troubles. Rudy then quickly has Germany breaking forward, helping find Herrmannn inside the penalty area. His well-timed run meets a clever cutback, but a powerful strike is blocked clear by Bartra.
Another fine forward burst by Herrmann wins Germany a corner kick, with Rudy's drilled cross smashed to safety with relative ease. After a shaky start Germany appear to be growing in confidence, particularly when their high pressing wins back possession in advanced positions.
SHOT! A terrific curling effort from distance threatens to give Germany the lead. Clemens had little on and decided to strike from range, flashing a fierce effort just beyond the far post. De Gea was taking no chances and flung low to make a save, but luckily for Spain the low strike was just off target.
A swift Spanish break reminds Germany to be vigilant at the back, with Ginter at full stretch to block a flick towards goal by Rodrigo. Montoya is then penalised for a foul on Jantschke as a promising attack breaks down with the game still goalless.
De Gea is called into action, making a routine save to catch Herrmann's drive from range. Thiago then breaks at the other end with pace, but his positive run is halted by the assistant's flag for offside.
Ginter shows composure in defence to stop Isco meeting a clever cross from Montoya. The full-back is quickly involved again out wide, but this time a looping delivery towards Rodrigo is headed to safety by Thesker. Under pressure the two German central defenders are working hard and just about stopping the Spanish attack in its tracks.
YELLOW CARD! Rode is cautioned for a cynical challenge on Isco, clipping the playmaker to prevent Spain breaking forward in numbers.
HALF-TIME Germany 0-0 Spain
Well an entertaining but tight first period comes to an end with both sides still searching for the opening goal. Spain have just about shaded a hard-fought contest, but Germany have grown in confidence and continue to look a threat on the break.
Spain have come the closest to the breaking the deadlock so far this evening, thanks to a rare lapse in concentration from Germany full-back Sorg. His mistake allowed Thiago a strike at goal, but the midfielder's curling effort came back off the woodwork.
Thiago and Isco have shown flashes of their promise early on, but remain frustrated by a stubborn German backline. Spain have looked most threatening when stretching the game through width, most notably when Tello combines with Montoya.
Germany have worked diligently without possession tonight, pressing all over the pitch. Through Holtby, Volland and Herrmann they also carry a threat on the counter, and could have taken the lead if a shot from Clemens had drifted just inside the far corner.
A reminder that in the context of qualification a draw does Germany very little favours tonight. While mathematically they will still be alive in Group B a point will leave Spain as heavy favourites to join Holland in the quarter-finals. The pressure will be on to find a winning goal late on, which should mean this match opens up as the second half progresses.
Spain get the second half underway, immediately settling into possession after a clever switch across the pitch from Koke.
A patient approach with possession is maintained by Spain early in this second period, with Tello eventually losing the ball after a swift block tackle from Rode. Koke is sitting very deep in midfield, acting as a playmaker in a withdrawn position just ahead of the back four.
Moreno roams forward from full-back and is encouraged to shoot after controlling a headed clearance, around 30 yards from goal. With time to pick his spot the eventual strike is a disappointment as a powerful effort flies past Leno's near post.
Isco glides beautifully between two defenders, driving into the final third with pace and purpose. The Malaga playmaker then attempts to find Rodrigo with a deft through ball, but his execution lacks power and allows Sorg to smash clear inside the penalty area.
Frustration is starting to show a touch for Spain, with Isco's poor first touch costing his side the chance to shoot with numbers free inside the penalty area. Thiago recycles possession to shoot from 30 yards, but a swirling strike lacks accuracy flies high and wide.
A break in play as Moreno is forced to seek treatment after blocking Herrmann's cross, with the ball striking his groin. A painful one there for the full-back, who eventually returns to help Spain scramble clear a corner kick from Rudy.
SHOT! A strike full of bend and whip from Illarramendi comes very close to breaking the deadlock. After meeting Koke's pass the midfielder curled his effort towards goal from 25 yards, but despite promise a bending shot eventually drifted just beyond the near post.
YELLOW CARD! Herrmann becomes the second player cautioned for a cynical shirt-pull out wide. Tello then drives wide from a tight angle as Spain continue to send shots off-target, with Germany now struggling to leave their own half with any consistency.
SUBSTITUTION: Volland hacks clear a cross from Isco, with Spain winning a corner kick in the process. Just before the cross can be delivered Germany opt to make a change, swapping Herrmann for powerful striker Lasogga.
SAVES! A fantastic double-stop from Leno denies Rodrigo twice form close range, with the forward reacting quickly to pounce on Martinez's blocked shot. Germany just about managed to scramble clear with some superb last-ditch defending, with Spain denied a penalty kick as they claimed in vain that Ginter had pushed Rodrigo in helping to stop the forward. Germany then break quickly at the other through Volland, who is halted by a superb interception from Barta.
Rode is definitely fortunate to stay on the pitch after clattering into Thiago with a poor challenge, with the midfielder already on a yellow card. Lopetegui is furious on the touchline but fierce protests do not change the referee's mind, with a free kick deemed punishment enough for the offence.
SUBSTITUTION: Germany decide not to take any chances on Rode, swapping the holding midfielder for Bayern Munich youngster Emre Can. Spain are yet to make a change and will surely look to introduce either Morata or Muniain in the next five minutes.
SUBSTITUTION: And as if by magic Spain finally swap Rodrigo for Morata with just over 15 minutes left to play. The Real Madrid youngster came off the bench to score against Russia on Thursday, can he have a similarly decisive impact tonight?
YELLOW CARD! A robust and illegal challenge from Lasogga gets the burly forward booked in his first involvement since coming off the bench. He will now be suspended for their final group match against Russia, after being cautioned in successive games.
The impressive Illarramendi strides forward at pace, evading two challenges before sizing up a strike at goal. The midfielder's shot from 20 yards has power but lacks composure, flying just beyond Leno's near post despite swerving dangerously close to the bottom corner.
Tello loses his footing inside the penalty area to sum up a frustrating night for the Barcelona winger. Just before that attack Moreno became the first Spanish player to be booked for a late barge in the back, moments after being caught offside on the overlap.
SUBSTITUTION: One final change for Germany and it looks a relatively conservative one. Stuttgart defender Rudiger has come on to replace Rudy, with Ginter moved into central midfield as cover. A risky move there to change a central defensive partnership that has proved effective late in the match.
YELLOW CARD! Koke puts Spain under pressure after conceding a needless free kick, charging into a sliding challenge on Volland in the final third. He is cautioned for the tackle, with De Gea eventually punching clear the resulting set piece at the second time of asking.
GOAL! Spain 1-0 Germany (Morata)
Super-sub Morata strikes for Spain with just a few minutes remaining, scoring what must surely be the winning goal. The forward darted inside a tame challenge from Rudiger, driving inside the box before catching out Leno with a low strike at his near post. A defensive horror show from Germany has probably ended their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals, securing safe passage for Spain in the process.
SUBSTITUTION: Spain make a final change as he head into stoppage time, with Isco swapped for Camacho in an effort to shore things up in the closing stages. Germany have three added minutes to find a response, with Volland winning a throw inside the final third after chasing down a lose cause.
Morata looks destined to burst the net again, darting beyond a static German defence before bearing down on goal. The forward's finish is precise but celebrations are halted instantly by an offside flag, which looks to have been the correct decision.
FULL-TIME Germany 0-1 Spain
Well they were made to sweat but in the end a last-gasp winner has earned Spain three precious points tonight. Germany defended bravely for long periods but were eventually undone by substitute Morata, who squeezed home a shot with just three minutes left.
That result means Spain and the Netherlands have qualified for the semi-finals after two group matches, with Germany and Russia both eliminated after successive defeats. On this evidence each of Group B's star sides will take some beating in this tournament.
With that out coverage from Israel this evening is just about at a close. Thanks for your time tonight and be sure to join Sports Mole again for European Under-21 Championship action later this week. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
Spain U21s
