Germany needed penalties to book their spot in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016 on Saturday, as their match against Italy ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.The two teams served up a tremendous tactical battle that led to few chances in the first half. The pattern continued in the second half, but MesutOzil gave Die Mannschaft the lead after 65 minutes.Leonardo Bonucci equalised from the penalty spot after Jerome Boateng handled the ball inside the box, however, setting up extra time and, eventually, a wild penalty shootout.Simone Zaza missed Italy's second penalty, but Gianluigi Buffon saved Thomas Muller's subsequent effort. Ozil fired his effort off the post, but Graziano Pelle also missed the target, and after Manuel Neuer saved Bonucci's second effort, Bastian Schweinsteiger skied his effort that would have sent Germany through.Italy's Matteo Darmian was the last man to miss, and Jonas Hector ended Germany's winless streak in a major tournament against the Azzurri.As shared by the tournament's official Twitter account, the Germans made one major tactical change, as Julian Draxler started from the bench and Benedikt Howedes came into the side:As expected, Die Mannschaft took control of the ball early, and the Azzurri seemed a little confused by their use of the 3-5-2 formation, mirroring Italy's approach.Stefano Sturaro fired the first shot toward goal after a short corner, but he scuffed his effort and didn't trouble the German defence. Chances were few in the opening stages as both teams seemed nervous, and the passing was sloppy.Juventus star Sami Khedira had a strong start to the match, but he lasted just a little over 14 minutes before he had to leave the pitch with an injury. The veteran Schweinsteiger made his way onto the pitch and immediately took over the captain's armband from Neuer.Per Squawka Football, he made some history in the process:Germany pushed further up the pitch as the half wore on, but the Italian defence did a wonderful job of keeping Mario Gomez in check. The one timeBonucci did lose sight of him, the striker just couldn't reach a cross.While chances were rare, Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe loved the tactical battle that unfolded:Schweinsteiger thought he had broken the deadlock after 26 minutes as he powered a header past Buffon, but the official deemed the veteran had pulled Mattia De Sciglio down to find the space for the header, and replays confirmed just that.De Sciglio almost picked out EmanueleGiaccherini in front of goal after a smart counter, but Boateng returned in the nick of time to cut out the pass and eliminate the danger.As the half wore on, Italy started seeing more of the ball, and the Germans appeared to grow frustrated.Per Squawka Football, it's easy to see why:Alessandro Florenzi took a massive risk by taking a touch on a looping ball into his own box, electing to bring the ball under control instead of just booting it out of danger. Other than that, there were few noteworthy incidents.Gomez tried his luck with a header from long range, missing the target, and a mad scramble saw the ball fall into the feet of Muller, who lofted a shot into the arms of Buffon.Just before half-time, the game opened up for Italy. Bonucci picked up Giaccherini with a great long ball, and after his squared pass just missed all forwards, Boateng eventually made a crucial block to deny Sturaro.Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano couldn't help himself:Italy started the second half on the front foot, working the ball out wide and into dangerous areas. Germany continued to prod their way into the Italian half, where space was limited.Die Mannschaft had their first chance of the half when Florenzi lost possession in midfield, but the Roma man made up for his mistake by returning to the goalmouth in time and making a spectacular block.Romano was in awe:Boateng fired wide from the resulting corner kick.De Sciglio was the second man to get booked, after team-mate Sturaro, and the booking meant he would have been suspended for Italy's next match had they beaten Germany.With half an hour left to play, Germany once again dominated possession, while the Azzurri aimed for the counter. Marco Parolo fired a volley well wide of the target, before Ozil finally broke the deadlock after a brilliant moment from Gomez.The striker picked outHector, whose deflected pass reached the Arsenal man just in front of goal. From such a close distance, Buffon had no chance.Italian fans were furious, however, as replays showed Gomez was offside when he first challenged for the ball. Bleacher Report UK was just happy someone scored:The goal liberated Die Mannschaft and ruined Italy's tactical plan, and Gomez came close to doubling his team's lead after a fantastic pass from Ozil. With his back toward goal, Gomez tried to backheel the ball past Buffon, who produced a miraculous reflex save to keep his team in the match.KICK kept its reaction simple:Draxler replaced the veteran shortly after, as Germany went in for the kill. But Italy came close to an equaliser moments later, as De Sciglio picked outPelle, who just missed the target with a volley.Italy pushed forward, and they were rewarded when Boateng carelessly went up for a headed duel with his arms raised and gave away a silly penalty.Transfer News illustrated what had happened:Bonucci kept his composure and fired a perfect low strike past Neuer, tying things up with 15 minutes left. There was an air of controversy around this goal as well, however, as Bonucci stuttered during his run-up.Italy now took control of proceedings, and Pelle fired a low shot wide of Neuer's goal, with Giaccherini in a much better position to strike. De Sciglio tried his luck after a smart cut inside, but his shot flew just wide of the post.Mats Hummels joined the group of players suspended for a potential semi-final with a late booking, the final major incident of regulation.Extra time started with another incident, as Pelle was lucky not to get sent off after he stepped on the heel of Boateng. The centre-back was visibly in a lot of pain but able to continue.Muller had a shot blocked after a breakdown in the Italian defence, and Boateng fired a low shot well wide of the post.Another miscue allowed Draxler to try an odd volley early in the second half of extra time, missing the goal from close range, before Italy manager Antonio Conte introduced the speedy Lorenzo Insigne.Draxler couldn't pick out Muller after a promising counter, wasting a great chance, and Insigne produced a clever turn before firing straight at Neuer. Ozil fired a tame effort at Buffon with a minute left on the clock, and a late dribble from Insigne led to nothing, as penalties had to decide a winner.Insigne put Italy ahead, and Kroos converted Germany's first kick as well. Substitute Zaza missed the target with his first kick of the match, but Muller fired a tame effort in reach of Buffon. Andrea Barzagli scored, before Ozil and Pelle both missed.Draxler pulled Germany level, and Neuer stopped Bonucci's low effort into the corner. Schweinsteiger missed the decider, allowing Giaccherini to once again put his team ahead. Buffon came agonisingly close to saving Hummels' effort, and Parolo fired his penalty straight down the middle.Joshua Kimmich was the next man to convert, and De Sciglio's strike hit the crossbar on the way in. Boateng made no mistake, before Neuer saved Darmian's effort. Hector took his responsibility, sending his team through to the semi-finals.Germany will play the winner of Sunday's clash between France and Iceland in the semi-finals on Thursday, July 7.Post-Match ReactionSpeaking to Rai Sport (h/t Football Italia), Conte expressed his pride at what his team showed in a losing effort:The lads gave everything they had against a very strong side.Being beaten by Germany on penalties is no shame, as we couldve gone forward too. I am proud of what these lads did.Regrets' Only for the penalties, not for the effort and love they showed for the jersey. These players really proved everything and gave all they had.I dont like to make evaluations, I prefer to leave that to others. What interests me is that I had an incredible experience with these lads, making Italy respected and feared by everyone."The world champions changed their system for us and that's a reason to be proud," Conte later told reporters.Conte also called it an "incredible feeling" to manage the Italian side and said he hoped he could come back to the bench one day.Buffon told reporters his team were "compact and hard to beat but destiny wasn't with us this time.""Regrets can arrive when you feel you didn't give everything but that's not the case," Buffon added. "We were a step away from a great feat."Neuer thought Germany deserved the qualification, per UEFA.com (via Football Italia):I have never experienced a shoot-out like this.I think most of the Italians just aimed into the middle. The 1-1 score we conceded during regular time was a bit unlucky. But I believe we were the better side and are deservedly through to the semi-finals.Their first-ever competitive win over Italy will provide the world champions with a massive boost heading into the semi-finals, but the absence of Hummels and possible injuries for Gomez and Khedira are big blows.A likely meeting with hosts France awaits, unless Iceland can continue their Cinderella run.
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