Manchester City had the most players of any club at the tournament ahead of the curtain raiser with 14 members of Pep Guardiola’s side jetting across Europe with their respective nations.
Every player was called upon during the group stage before 12 progressed into the last-16 and nine into the quarter-finals.
Now, after the conclusion of the last-eight, City still have five representatives at the European Championships ahead of the semi-finals which take place on Tuesday 9 July and Wednesday 10 July.
In the first quarter-final tie, Rodrigo’s Spain dramatically secured passage into the next round with a goal in the last minute of extra-time to beat hosts Germany 2-1.
La Roja looked likely to win in regulation time after breaking the deadlock early in the second half before Julian Nagelsmann’s men equalised on the cusp of full-time to force the additional 30 minutes.
In a somewhat cagey period, a fantastic, athletic Mikel Merino header on 119 minutes booked a semi-final spot for City’s midfield metronome.
Rodrigo’s nation will face France in the last four after the 2018 World Cup winners eliminated Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Joao Cancelo’s Portugal on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time.
Following a closely contested encounter where chances were at a premium, Didier Deschamps’ men triumphed 5-3 in the shootout although Bernardo dispatched from 12 yards.
Spain will play France on Tuesday 9 July at Munich Football Arena with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 (UK).
The second semi-final clash between England and the Netherlands will certainly have a City-centric feel with four members of our squad potentially being involved.
After scoring a stoppage time equaliser in their eventual 2-1 win over Slovakia, Gareth Southgate’s side left it late once again to force extra-time against Manuel Akanji’s Switzerland.
Breel Embolo opened the scoring for Murat Yakin’s side against a Three Lions team that featured Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden.
But Bukayo Saka levelled in the 80th minute to send the game to 30 additional minutes – however – neither side could find the goal they craved as penalties would decide another last-eight tie.
England then secured passage with a 5-3 win in the shootout, but it was heartbreak for Akanji who was the unfortunate player to miss from the spot.
The quarter-final stage then concluded with a breathless encounter between Nathan Ake’s Netherlands and Turkey.
Ronald Koeman’s side trailed at half-time before a second-half header from Stefan De Vrij and a Mert Mulder own goal flipped the tie on its head.
It was the fifth straight game at Euro 2024 where Ake featured for his nation as they recorded their third win at the tournament.
The Dutch will play England for a place in the final on Wednesday 10 July at 20:00 (UK).
As ever, there will be City-centric reports on all Euro 2024 matches involving members of Pep Guardiola’s squad published on mancity.com and our official app.
SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES
Spain v France | Tuesday 9 July | 20:00 (UK) kick-off | Munich Football Arena
Netherlands v England | Wednesday 10 July | 20:00 (UK) kick-off | BVB Stadion Dortmund
