Germany reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals after winning a thrilling penalty shootout against Italy in Bordeaux.Joachim Low's World Cup holders looked on course for victory in normal time - against a country they had never beaten at a major tournament - when Mesut Ozil rounded off a slick build-up with Mario Gomez and Jonas Hector to score at the near post in the 65th minute.Italy did not flinch but were grateful for a moment of madness from Germany defender Jerome Boateng when he needlessly handled, allowing Leonardo Bonucci to score the first penalty of his career with 12 minutes left.Germany missed more penalties in one shootout than in their history - three - but were once again the winners on penalties.They have still never lost a shootout since the 1976 final of this competition when they lost to Czechoslovakia - some 40 years and 13 days ago.It was settled when Hector drove low under Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon after Manchester United's Matteo Darmian saw his side's ninth penalty saved by Manuel Neuer.Germany will now play either hosts France or England's conquerors Iceland in the last four.This was a meeting between two of European football's superpowers - a last-eight match-up that would have graced the final itself in Paris next weekend.Instead it was a fight for a place in the last four and Low's Germany did what they do best. Had it been on target Neuer would have saved it anyway. Buffon went the right way, to his right, but it was too precise.Calmly sidefooted to the right. Germany cruised to a 3–0 win over Slovakia in the round of 16 on goals from … We should have known it was going to be like this. Thomas Müller (Germany) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.Penalty missed! Germany 1(6), Italy 1(5). Germany 1(5), Italy 1(5). Still Germany 1(1), Italy 1(2).
Bad penalty by Simone Zaza (Italy) left footed shot is too high. Germany missed three penalties yet still triumphed over Italy in an often shambolic shoot-out at the end of a draining matchHere’s an Observer exclusive on the friction between Roy Hodgson and Gary Neville that undermined England’s It hit the underside of the bar, and that drum and bass song you can hear is De Sciglio’s heartbeat.A brilliant penalty, especially from a 21-year-old.Italy have started smacking them all down the middle.Excellent penalty from Hummels. Bad penalty by Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany) right footed shot is too high.
In the first half Uwe Seeler hit the bar, Albert Brülls and Omar Sívori also had their chances. Bastian Schweinsteiger should be disappointed.Penalty saved!
Germany 1(3), Italy 1(3). The experienced players missed and the young players scored."Goal! Germany 1(4), Italy 1(4).
Madon!Another terrific penalty. Germany and Italy face off in the Euro 2016 quarterfinals on Saturday.
Toni Kroos (Germany) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.Goal! Official UEFA EURO history. "We made the fans proud of us.