GERMANY 1- 1 ITALY (6-5 PENS)
Germany vs Italy: Result, match report, minute by minute
Drama in Bordeaux as Germany secured their passage to the Euro 2016 semi final after eliminating Italy on a penalty shoot-out.
First things first, this was far from a classic, indeed there were times tonight when the football served up between two of the finest footballing international nations with a collective haul of eight Wold Cup's a piece was turgid.
After the feast of football that Friday's quarter final between Wales and Belgium served up in Lille, threw up, expectation was a high for another entertaining Euro 2016 knock out game between two of European's football heavyweights.
The game developed into a familiar pattern as Germany moved the ball around but failed to ignite the spark that would dispose of the solid blue wall, Conte's Italy side happy to strike on rare counters. Germany opened the scoring after the hour mark with Ozil firing home and the game seemed to be heading the way for Low's side when inexplicably Boateng raised his arms handling the ball which left the Hungarian referee with little option but to point to the spot which Bonucci disposed of with a calm finish.
Extra time failed to produce anything resembling a clear cut goal-scoring chance and the penalty shoot out produced a mixture of the sublime and ridiculous as Schweinsteiger for Germany and Zaza and Pelle (Italy) dispatched some of the poorest penalties a major competition has witnessed. The final and decisive kick was administered by FC Koln defender who secures a semi final place for Germany next Thursday in Marseille.
How it happened:
FT: Germany 1-1 Italy (6-5 on pens)
Italy miss and Germany have advantage. Hector can win it ..... and scores ... Germany win and play in the semi final on Thursday. What drama in Bordeaux !
Italy no. 2 lashes it in off the bar and pressure back on Germany as Boateng steps up. The Dortmund defender makes no mistake (5-5)
Italy score and pressure on Germany again as Kimmich scores (4-4)
Italy scores via Giaccherini, pressure on Germany as Hummels to take. The No. 5 scores. (3-3)
Bonucci for Italy saved by Neuer. Germany can win if Schweinsteiger scores .... and he misses (2-2)
Pelee misses for Italy with another dreadful spot kick. Draxler draws Germany level 2-2
Barzagli scores for Italy as Ozil misses for Germany (1-2
Zaza blazes over for Italy, terrible pen. Muller misses for Germany as Buffon saves (1-1)
Kroos for Germany and scores 1-1
First up Italy , Insigne to take ....the Napoli player scores
Penalty kicks:
FT - Germany 1-1 Italy
120 minutes and 47 seconds have failed to decide a winner in Bordeaux tonight. Penalty kick's it will be.
Min 120 | Zaza on for Italy as Chiellini makes way
Min 119 | It hasn't been fun folks and far from easy on they eye but credit to Italian defensive system who have managed to keep the German attack at bay this evening. We're into the last minute.
Min 115 | German fans try and rally their side as we head into the final five minutes. That head to head between two of the finest goalkeeper's in the modern game looms closer.
Min 111 | A familiar pattern...German build up play with a lack of creativity being able to unlock the blue wall of Italian defenders. Schweinsteiger booked for Germany as Insigne gets a shot on target but straight at Neuer.
Min 109 | Draxler breaks for Germany but a poor final ball from the Wolfsburg player as he overhits his pass as the move loses momentum.
Min 106 | Draxler tries his luck from close range but his overhead kick sails high and over. Change for Italy as Insigne comes on for Eder.
2nd period of extra time starts with Germany 1-1 Italy in Bordeaux.
Min 105 | Fear and Respect in Bordeaux would be the title for a novel based on tonight's quarter final action as Kassai blows up. We're 15 minutes away from penalty kicks.
Min 102 | Boateng tries his luck from long range but fails to secure accuracy with his right foot drive which fails to trouble Buffon. Giaccherini latest name into the Hungarian referee's book.
Min 102 | German pressure as they win a series of corners.
Min 100 | What price a penalty shoot out ? Neuer vs. Buffon could be interesting !
Min 99 | Tiredness playing a major role in this first period of halt time with no chances on goal being mustered by either side as the game is punctuated with fouls and stoppages.
Min 95 | Conte still a live-wire on the touch line for the Italians. Italy still have 2 changes with Low still afforded one change for the German side.
Min 92 | Card for Graziano Pelle (who will also miss the semi final) after a late challenge on Boateng.
Min 91 | Off we go in extra time
The 2006 World Cup game between both sides ended up 0-0 after normal time with Italy running out 0-2 winners aet.
It's been a highly tactical 90 minutes and far from a classic. Germany will feel hard-done as they were clearly the better side during the contest. Another defensive masterclass however from the Italian rear-guard.
Full Time: Germany 1-1 Italy
FT - That's it, all level in Bordeaux as we head to a further 30 minutes of football.
Min 92 | Tired legs as passes go astray. Extra time it will be in Bordeaux.
Min 90 | Hummels carded and will miss the hypothetical semi final after already holding a card.
We'll have 3 minutes of added time.
Min 89 | De Sciglio almost finds the net with a right footed effort that nearly creeps inside Neuer's post.
Min 88 | Germany playing keep ball as both sides seem resigned to extra time.
Min 85 | Italy make a change as Florenzi is replaced by Darmian.
Min 83 | It's the Italian fans making the noise now in the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux after equalizing against the run of play. A clear sense of belief sweeping through the Italian side after the goal.
Min 80 | Hector slips and allows Italy to launch a counter which ends in a corner for the Azzuri.
Germany 1-1 Italy
Min 78 | Perfect spot kick from the Juve defender firing into the corner out of Neurer's reach. A poor decision from Boateng to raise his hands in the box.
Min 77 | Boateng the offender with a hand as Bonucci fires home to equalize.
Min 76 | Italian subs warming up as Italy win a corner and pènalty !
Min 74 | Pele latches on to a cross from the left wing and lashes wide. Better from the Italians as we head into the final 15. Far more urgency from Italy now.
Min 72 | Julian Draxler on as Gomez retires via injury. Second forced change for the German side this evening. Still no move on the Italian bench.
Min 70 | Germany bossing things now as Italy appear to have no immediate reply to the Ozil goal. Time for Conte to shuffle his pack and look for plan B. Mario Gomez appears to be injured and may not be able to carry on.
Min 68 | If ever a game needed a goal !
Conte needs to amend his game-plan for Italy as his side face a Euro 2016 exit with just 20 minutes remaining in Bordeaux.
Min 66 | Germany 1-0 Italy
Ozil latches on to a rebound and slots home after a fine ball from Hector.
Min 65 | Goal Goal ..... Tor Tor Tor....Ozil breaks the deadlock
Min 64 | German fans making all the noise behind Buffon's goal in Bordeaux as one or two whistles ring out from neutral fans about.
Min 63 | Parolo tries his luck from outside the area but fails to get purchase on his left footed effort.
Min 61 | Possession after an hour: Germany 52% vs. 48% Italy
Min 60 | Parolo also booked after a foul on Ozil. Hat-trick of cards for Italy in the space of 5 minutes.
Min 57 | De Sciglo also into the book after a rash challenge on the German right-side. The Milan player would miss Thursday's semi final.
Min 55 | Yellow card for Sturano after a late challenge. The Juve player was not on a card.
Min 54 | Best chance of the night falls to Muller as he fires just wide after decent build up play from Mario Gomez. Boateng replies with a long range strike that drifts inches over. Better!
Min 52 | Good build up play ends up in a corner for the men in white. Sensation is that one goal will be enough for either side in Bordeaux tonight.
Min 51 | Just one goal conceded between both teams at Euro 2016 to date and that was with an Italy "B" team vs. Rep. of Ireland in Lille.
Min 48 | Italy finding more space in the early stage of the half.
Min 45 | Thursday in Marseille awaits the winner of tonight's game and the victor of tomorrow's France v Iceland game
Second half:
Teams back on the pitch for the second period and Italy to start..
Fine HT stat from Opta Joe: 83% - 15 of the 18 goals between #GER and #ITA at major tournaments have come after half-time (83%).
HT view: Not the classic we had expected from two of the favorites to lift the European Championship trophy. Germany have had the better of the half without Gigi Buffon in the Italy goal really being called into action. Italy are lacking creativity in the central area and it would be no surprise to see Roma's Danielle De Rossi introduced to the fray at some part during the evening. As early 90's electro-pop combo D-Ream claimed "Things Can Only Get Better"!
Stay with us for the second half....
Half-time score: Germany 0-0 Italy
HT | Just as the game was threatening to come to life, Hungarian Kassai calls time on proceedings.
Min 44 | Danger from Italy as the Azzuri break the German offside trap and the ball eventually falls to Sturano who strikes fiercely and his goal-bound drive is deflected wide for a corner. Best chance of the half for Conte's side.
Min 42 | Muller gets a shot off after a series of ricochets sees the ball fall to the Bayern striker. His shot is struck rather tamely and no problem for Buffon.
Min 40 | Mario Gomez gets on the end of a Kimmich cross but heads over. Decent half chance for the Besiktas striker.
Min 38 | "Cagey" is the word that comes to mind to describe what what we're seeing in Bordeaux this evening. The game needs a goal !
The possession statistic is a fair reflection on whats we've seen in Bordeaux so far this evening, but despite their domination the German side yet to carve out a clear cut goal scoring occasion (bar the disallowed goal) . 0 shots on goal from Low's side tonight so far.
Min 30 | Possession: Germany 61% v 39% Italy
Min 29 | Shades of Cholo Simeone from Italy coach Antonio Conte as he gestures wildly on the touchline to the fans, his players, the bench, the referee ...anyone!
Min 27 |The ball is in the net as Schweinsteiger heads in but the United player was adjudged to have fouled an Italian defender in his attempt. No goal !
Min 26 | Match official Kassai has a word with Sturano as he up-ends a German rival. "No more" claims the Hungarian ref.
Min 21 | It's been the German fans so far generating the bulk of the noise in Bordeaux this evening as the blue wall of Azzuri supporters behind Buffon's goal rally their men with chants of "Italia, Italia"...
Min 19 | Italy's creativity that De Rossi provides clearly absent from the Italian game so far this evening as Germany start to press.
Min 17 | Plenty of midfield tussle but little else as a clear mutual respect from both teams is apparent.
Min 16 | Manchester United's Bastian Schweinsteiger is the man elected to replace the injured Khedira. A blow for the Juve player.
Min 15 | Bad news for Germany as it looks that Khedira cannot continue. Appears to have sustained a muscular problem after the collision with the Italian no. 3.
Min 13 | Khedira receiving treatment from the German medical staff after an accidental collision with Chiellini.
Ozil, Khedira, Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng are the German players already on a card. Another yellow tonight and they would have to sit out Thursday's semi in Marseille should Germany progress.
Min 9 | Germany win their first corner in a cagey opening period from both sides.
The Italy defensive BBC trio (Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini) are all one card away from missing the semi-final should The Azzuri progress.
Min 5 | Italy win for first corner of the game but it's a poor delivery from Florenzi,
Min 2 | Early continued possession from Germany in the early stage of the game. Low opting for a 4-4-2 formation this evening (according to the pre match Uefa team-sheet).
Min 1 | Germany get us under way.
Hungarian Mister Viktor Kassai is our match official tonight and we'll have a one minute applause as a tribute for the victims of the Bangladesh attack prior to the game.
The Wales anthem and La Marseillaise (France) are the others should you wonder !
National anthem time. We do like the Italian one...On our Top 3 Euro 2016 podium!
Teams about to take to the pitch.
Germany: White shirts, black shorts. Italy: Blue shirts, white shorts .... classic football kits !
Perfect evening for a game of football in the Gironde region of France with a temperature of 21C and a gentle westerly wind.
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Germany v Italy from the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux. Germany have never beaten Italy in eight past tournament meetings. Can they stem the tide this evening at Euro 2016?
Team News
Germany XI 1 Neuer (C) 3 Hector 4 Höwedes 5 Hummels 6 Khedira 8 Özil 13 Müller 17 Boateng 18 Kroos 21 Kimmich 23 Gomez
Italy XI 1 Buffon (C) 2 De Sciglio 3 Chiellini 8 Florenzi 9 Pellè 14 Sturaro 15 Barzagli 17 Éder 18 Parolo 19 Bonucci 23 Giaccherini
Hello and welcome along to tonight's coverage of the third Euro 2016 quarter final as Germany and Italy scrap it out to join Portugal and Wales in next week's semi-finals. Follow the build-up, team news, media reaction and blow by blow action live online with us from Bordeaux's magnificent Stade Mamut Atlantique.
Preview: Germany vs Italy
No one would argue that this isn't one of the classic duels of European football. The Azzurri are Germany's bogey team: the two nations have met eight times in major tournaments with Germany having never beaten the Italians. There additional intrigue going into this meeting after Germany accused Italy of covetly spying on their training sessions.
Germany
Joachim Löw, who has the luxury of a full squad tio select his XI, was giving nothing away in yesterday's press conference and will be attempting to surprise Antonio Conte. Julian Draxler, who was sensational against Slovakia is certain to start, as is Mario Gómez. Pulling the levers and making it all happen from the centre of the park will be madridista Toni Kroos.
Italy
Conversely, Antonio Conte has a number of key players out for the game. He is without midfield workhorse Thiago Motta who is suspended, Antonio Candreva is still experiencing muscle pains and is ruled out while Daniele De Rossi hasn't recovered from his fitness problems. But despite all of that, you can never rule Italy out - especially from what we have seen from them so far at Euro 2016 where they have been rock solid in defence and up front, Graziano Pellè and Éder have been outstanding...