“I've never witnessed a thing like this,” Manuel Neuer commented on Saturday's shootout thriller. The Bayern netminder saved two penalties, playing a key role in Germany's last eight victory over Italy, which earned him UEFA's Man of the Match award. “The penalty shootout was a drama, but I think the better team made it to the semi-finals,” added the World's Best Goalkeeper, who surpassed an old record on Saturday night. Leonardo Bonucci's equaliser was the first goal Neuer conceded in 557 minutes in major tournaments. Neuer topped Sepp Maier's previous best mark of 481 minutes.
18 penalty takers, Euro record equalled
Germany and Italy have equalled a record in the Bordeaux penalty drama. 18 players took shots from 12 yards. Never has a European championship match seen more penalty takers. The only time 18 players stepped up to take a penalty before was the Euro 1980 third-place play-off, when Czechoslovakia won 9-8 against Italy.
Germany strong from the spot
What is a nightmare for England is a success story for the world champions. Germany contested their seventh penalty shootout in a major tournament on Saturday and prevailed for the sixth time. The only duel from the spot Germany lost was the Euro 1976 final, when Germany lost 5-3 to Czechoslovakia after Uli Hoeneß missed his penalty.
Against France on Thursday?
Joachim Löw's troops have to take one more hurdle en route to the Euro final. Will they take on hosts France with Bayern starlet Kingsley Coman or will Iceland's sensational success story go on? Sunday night will provide the footballing world with an answer. The only thing Neuer and Co know is that they contest their semi-final in Marseille on Thursday at 21.00 CET.
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