Germany’s European Championships ended with a defeat in the quarterfinals. At the same time, Toni Kroos, who returned to the national team, ended his career emotionally at home.
5.7. 22:44•Updated 0:23
European Football Championships on channels 14.6.–14.7. Go to the competition website from this link.
Toni Kroos said goodbye to the football fields on Friday, when Germany’s time in the European football tournament ended with a 1-2 loss to Spain in the quarter-finals.
Germany equalized at the end of regular time, but Spain’s substitute Mikel Merino scored the winning goal in the follow-up match in the 119th minute of the game. Kroos, like many other Germans, was following the header from close range.
Kroos had already announced well in advance that he would end his career this summer. He played his last game for the club at the beginning of June when Real Madrid won the Champions League final.
– We gave everything in this match. We were really close. That makes this all even more bitter, Kroos said according to German media.
He had already finished with the national team after the previous European Championships, but he still agreed to return as Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann on application.
Kroos received heavy criticism from his last match in Spain, where his hard grips on the field were condemned. A total of 16 yellow cards were given in the match.
Kroos, better known for his passing skills, tackled Spain Peter, who was injured and had to leave the match. Kroos’ tackle and the referee were criticized both on social media and in the Spanish media Anthony Taylorwho did not give Kroos a card about the situation.
According to the Spanish Football Federation, Pedri is suffering from a knee cruciate ligament injury and his tournament may be over. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said after the match that the situation was worth a red card.
Moments after the Pedri situation, Kroos pedaled Lamine Yamalin onto the leg, but again avoided a yellow card. Finally the card came when he stopped Spain’s counter attack with his rip.
Kroos, 34, played in all five of Germany’s matches at the tournament. The midfield quarterback has had more assists than any other player in the EC tournament. Kroos has 523 assists after Germany’s quarter-final, 125 more than the number two player. The input success rate is still a strong 95.
At the same time, Kroos’ last kick was Germany’s last chance to score an equalizing goal, with which the decision would have been extended to a penalty shootout.
However, the concentration from the free kick in the sixth minute of the three-minute added time did not reach their own, and soon the final whistle of the match blew.
– At the moment, it only means falling out of the tournament. We had a common, big goal. That dream is now somewhat crushed, Kroos said.
The loss was Kroos’ only since returning to the national team in March. Kroos and Germany played eight matches this year, six of which ended in victory, one in a draw and the last in defeat.
– We can all be proud. I am glad that I could help a little to ensure that we have this level of demand again in German football.
Kroos, who debuted in the national team in 2010, played 114 international matches. He was part of Germany’s 2014 world champion team.
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