Bordeaux: Germany defeated arch rival Italy 6-5 in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to reach the semifinals of the European Championship.
Chances were predictably scarce in the powerhouse clash in Bordeaux featuring two of the meanest defenses in world football.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had saved Matteo Darmian's spot kick moments before.
Neither side could score in extra time after drawing 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes of their quarterfinal match in Bordeaux.
Leonardo Bonucci converted a penalty in the 78th minute to bring Italy level after Jerome Boateng handled a flicked header by Giorgio Chiellini in the area.
Jonas Hector was the unlikely winner who converted the winning penalty and put the world champions through to face France or Iceland in the semifinals.
Mesut Ozil had given Germany the lead in the 65th, racing onto a deflected cross to steer in from eight meters.
The match had been a tactical stalemate until Ozil's goal, with defenses on top and neither goalkeeper seriously tested.
Germany advances to a semifinal against France or Iceland in Marseille on Thursday.
It was Germany's first ever competitive win over Italy.
(AP inputs)
