Nagelsmann's Germany bowed but not broken after Euro exit to Spain

STUTTGART, Germany : Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann feels his team had a positive Euro 2024 and believes they were the better side against Spain as they exited the tournament in a dramatic extra time defeat in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Spain's Mikel Merino scored the winner in the 119th minute with the game set for a penalty shootout, and it was heartbreaking for Germany who had forced extra time with a late goal of their own through Florian Wirtz in the 89th minute.

Nagelsmann congratulated Spain on their victory, but was bitterly disappointed for his players after the huge effort they put in.

"The whole game was too open and then in the second half we reacted with our personnel in a good way and we came better into the game," Nagelsmann told reporters, with one of his changes after the break netting the equaliser following Dani Olmo's opener for Spain.

"And after the 60th minute we were clearly the better team with many clear chances and towards the end I think that we scored was well deserved.

"With the exception of the first five minutes of the second half of extra time I think it was almost only us who wanted to win."

Germany had chances to score both before the Wirtz equaliser and after, with Niclas Fuellkrug hitting the post, before they were hit by Spain's sucker punch.

"We had the chances, we missed the goal only by two centimetres so I think we were really into the game and then with the last chance we conceded," Nagelsmann said.

"I don't know if we opened up too much, if we risked too much, if someone wants to ask me that question I would say no.

"But unfortunately in that situation we didn't have enough pressure on the wing and Dani Olmo was able to play this super nice cross."

Germany's defeat and exit will