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Europe

Germany beats Italy 6-5 in shootout, into Euro 2016 semis

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Germany's Jonas Hector scores the winning penalty past Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon during the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and Italy, at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, July 2, 2016. Germany defeated Italy 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the game ended tied 1-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (The Associated Press)

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    Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer makes a safe during the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and Italy, at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, July 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

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    Italy's Leonardo Bonucci celebrates after scoring during the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Germany and Italy, at the Nouveau Stade in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, July 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) (The Associated Press)

BORDEAUX, France – Jonas Hector scored the winning penalty as Germany beat Italy 6-5 in a wild shootout to reach the European Championship semifinals on Saturday.

After the quarterfinal finished 1-1 after extra time, Matteo Darmian had his penalty saved with the 17th attempt of the shootout to give Hector the chance to earn Germany a first competitive win over Italy in nine tries.

The left back slotted his kick beyond Gianluigi Buffon and the world champions were in their sixth straight semifinal at a major tournament.

Germany has won six of its last seven spot kicks since losing the final of Euro 1976 to Czechoslovakia.

Mesut Ozil gave Germany the lead in the 65th minute, breaking open a tactical stalemate in Bordeaux by racing onto Hector's deflected cross to steer in a finish from eight meters.

Leonardo Bonucci equalized by converting a penalty in the 78th, after Jerome Boateng handled Giorgio Chiellini's flicked header. But Bonucci was one of the players to fail in the penalty shootout.

First-half substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger missed the opportunity to clinch victory for Germany in the shootout by blazing over his attempt. Hector made no mistake minutes later.

It was a fixture worthy of the final itself — Italy and Germany are Europe's most successful football nations — but the game didn't live up to its promise.

Dropping deep when not in possession, Italy's defensive set-up stifled the Germans and made for a highly tactical contest of few clear-cut chances until Ozil's goal.

Hector ran onto Mario Gomez's inside pass and sent over a cross that deflected right into the path of the inrushing Ozil. The Arsenal playmaker calmly steered the ball home.

It was the first time the Germans had breached Italy's famed back line all game, but they couldn't hold on and finally conceded a goal at the tournament to Bonucci.

Extra time passed without significant incident, meaning penalties for the second time in the quarterfinals — after Portugal beat Poland.

As Germany, as normal, came out on top.