Germany through to the semi-finals after shoot-out win over Italy

Both teams took their time to impose themselves in the pitch with no chances on goal being created in the early stages of the match. The Germans controlled possession, but were unable to go through the Italian defence.

It was after eighteen minutes of play that the first chance on goal was created by Germany. Hummels sent a long pass towards Gomez that went behind Bonucci and Chiellini, but the Besiktas player could not control the ball and the chance went begging.

On the 27th minute, the Germans had a goal disallowed. Sweinsteiger got ahead of De Sciglio to head Hummels cross past Buffon into the far corner of the net. However, the Manchester United player pulled down De Sciglio and the goal was justly ruled out.

Germany were definitely the best side throughout the first half, and were close again on the 40th minute. Kimmich threw a ball into the box that was met by Gomez. The German striker made good contact with the ball, but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Two minutes later, Loew’s side were close again. Kroos slashed out a shot that fell to Schweinsteiger who sent the ball back across goal towards Muller. The striker fired a weak shot that Buffon found no difficulty to save.

The only chance for the Italians came on brink of half time when a wonderful lofted pass from Chiellini flew over the German defence into the path of Giaccherini. The midfielder went past Kimmich before sending a cross into the penalty area that was tipped by Neuer. The ball fell to Sturaro on the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected and went narrowly wide of the far post.

Muller missed an excellent chance for Germany on the 53rd minute. Gomez laid the ball off to Muller, who went past Chiellini before firing a powerful shot towards the far corner. The ball seemed to be heading towards the back of the net, but Florenzi was on the goal line to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

Germany deservedly went ahead on the 65th minute. Gomez charged down the left wing and did well to hold up the ball before finding Hector. The wing back sent a cross over towards Ozil that was deflected into the path of the Arsenal midfielder who slotted the ball behind Buffon to make it 1-0.

Three minutes later, Gomez nearly made it 2-0 for Germany. Ozil lifted a beautiful ball over the defence into the path of Gomez, whose flicked shot was pushed over the crossbar by a wonderful stop from the Italian goalkeeper.

The Azzurri tried to push for an equaliser and managed on the 77th minute when they were awarded a penalty. In his attempt to clear the ball, Boateng touched the ball with his arm, leaving the referee with no choice but to point for the spot. Bonucci stepped up and fired a shot past the outstretched arms of Neuer into the bottom right-hand corner to put Italy back into the game.

The Italian players, kept gaining confidence and had a good opportunity to go in front on the 82nd minute. Eder twisted and turned on the edge of the German penalty area before sending a pass over to Pelle. The Southampton striker first-time shot took a deflection of Howedes and went out for a corner.

De Sciglio was close on the 88th minute. Eder held up the well before finding De Scicglio. The Milan player went inside past Kimmich, and unleashed a thumping low-shot that ended up flying into the side-netting to send the game into extra time.

During the extra thirty minutes, neither team managed to produce a goal that would have sent them in the semi-finals of Euro 2016. The only chance of goal came to Draxler on the 106th minute when he sent his overhead volley over the cross bar.

The match went all the way to an exciting penalty shootout that was won 6-5 by Germany after nineteen penalties were taken. Zaza, Pelle, Bonucci and Darmain missed their penalties for Italy, while Ozil ,Schweinsteiger and Muller missed their kicks for Germany.

Following this result, the world champions will play either or Iceland in the semi-final of Euro 2016.

Italy starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Florenzi, Parolo, Sturaro, Giaccherini, De Sciglio; Pelle, Eder.

Germany starting line-up (3-4-1-2): Neuer; Howedes, Hummels, Boateng; Kimmich, Khedira, Kroos, Hector; Ozil; Gomez, Muller.

Yellow cards

Sturaro (Italy), De Sciglio (Italy), Parolo (Italy), Hummels (Germany), Pelle (Italy), Giaccherini (Italy), Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Referee

Viktor Kassai (Hungary)