Toni Kroos is now officially retired following Germany's Euro 2024 defeat (Image: Getty)
Toni Kroos bowed out with class and dignity following Germany's last-gasp defeat to Spain at Euro 2024. The midfielder's career ended in quarter-final disappointment but he showed his true colours by emphasising his happiness at playing a role in the improvement of his national team.
The jury was out on Germany heading into their home tournament. But a thumping win over Scotland to kick things off whipped up belief and optimism, which was repaid by Julian Nagelsmann's side winning the group stages and battling past Denmark in the last 16.
Friday night's clash with Spain was always going to be tough, and a 119th-minute header from Mikel Merino not only ended Germany's tournament, but also Kroos' career with a 2-1 win for La Roja after extra-time.
"We can all be proud," said the former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder. "I'm happy if I could help a little to ensure that we have this standard again in German football.
"At the moment, the tournament exit is a bigger concern than my retirement. We all had a big goal together. That dream has now been shattered to some extent, even though we will realise that we played a good tournament. It was a game where we all gave it our all. We were very close. That makes it all the more bitter."
Mikel Merino was Spain's extra-time hero in Stuttgart (Image: Getty)
Germany fell behind when 16-year-old Lamine Yamal notched his third assist of the tournament, rolling a tempting ball across the edge of the box for Dani Olmo to fire home. The hosts waited until the 89th minute to respond, when Florian Wirtz's effort went in off the post to force extra-time.
The contest looked set to go to a penalty shootout until Merino's fantastic header, which sparked euphoric celebrations from the greatly-outnumbered Spanish supporters in Stuttgart.
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Germany substitute Niclas Fullkrug, who hit the post in regulation time, fought back tears during a post-match interview in which he looked directly down the TV cameras. "Thank you for this great feeling that you gave us," he told supporters on television station ARD.
"It was incredibly nice to fight for you on the pitch. It's a shame that we only made it to the quarter-finals, but you were outstanding."
