Germany 1-1 Italy (AET, 6-5 pens): Jonas Hector's sudden death spot-kick sends Joachim Low's side through to Euro 2016 semi-finals after Matteo Darmian sees his effort saved by Manuel Neuer
Mesut Ozil fired Germany ahead on 65 minutes with a close-range finish past Gianluigi Buffon
Leonardo Bonucci equalised from the penalty spot 13 minutes later after Jerome Boateng had handled in the area
Germany missed three spot-kicks during Saturday night's shootout - their first slip-ups since 1982 - and still won on penalties.
This was hardly a classic in the Wales-Belgium mould, but it was at least a lesson in tactical nous, the two best tournament teams cancelling each other out, with Joachim Low choosing to mimic Italy's back three, resulting in a cagey, affair punctuated only with the odd period of excitement.
The anticipation was feverish. Two heavyweights head-to-head with the Italian curse weighing on the world champions - the German had not beaten the Italians in tournament football - meant that it should have been one of the games to demonstrate the superior class of the latter stages of Euro 2016. And certainly Wales against Belgium had set a high standard in terms of entertainment on Friday night.
GERMANY 1-1 ITALY (AET, 6-5 ON PENS) - ROB DRAPER AT THE NOUVEAU STADE DE BORDEAUX: Germany's bid to win a fourth European Championship lives for another day following a dramatic quarter-final win over Italy. It took penalties for Joachim Low's side to prevail in Bordeaux on Saturday night as they triumphed 6-5. Germany will face either Euro 2016 tournament hosts France or Iceland in Thursday's semi-final.
MATCH FACTS
Germany: Neuer, Howedes, Boateng, Hummels, Hector, Kimmich, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gomez.
Subs: Leno, Mustafi, Schweinsteiger, Schurrle, Podolski, Draxler, Can, Weigl, Tah, Gotze, Sane, ter Stegen.
Goal: Ozil 65
Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Florenzi, Sturaro, Parolo, Giaccherini, De Sciglio, Pelle, Eder.
Subs: Sirigu, Darmian, Ogbonna, Candreva, Zaza, Immobile, De Rossi, Insigne, Bernardeschi, El Shaarawy, Marchetti.
Goal: Bonucci 78
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
The fans sensed it, the Germans having an elaborate display of flag waving and banners depicting the Henri Delaunay trophy and helpfully listing the years they have won it: 1972, 1980 and 1996.
Imagine the shame of not having won the European Championships for a full 20 years?
But the first half had the feel of one those close-matched heavyweight boxing contests, in which you have to endure several tedious rounds of sparring before the fight erupts. No quarter was given, no space conceded. Low did what few managers dare do in the midst of a major tournament, especially when you coach the world champions; he changed his formation to match Italy.
Playing three at the back has been Antonio Conte's trump tactical card for some time in a world that has largely forgotten that system (outside Italy, that is). But if you had Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, you would probably put your faith in those three to see the match through. They did their job in the first half, as did Stefano Sturaro, replacing the hugely influential but injured Daniele De Rossi in midfield.
But Germany's system, with Julian Draxler dropped and with Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels operating as a three, though superior in possession, got dragged into Italy's stalemate. It only took until the 40th minute when the sizeable German contingent of fans started whistling vehemently as Italy shuffled across to take a throw-in. It felt like the time wasting had started very early.
Ironically though this was the moment when the game almost sprung into life. Other than a disallowed Bastian Schweinsteiger goal in the 26th minute - he was on for the injured Sami Khedira and pushed Mattia De Sciglio to find room for his header - the early sections of the game had little to commend them other than tactical astuteness. But in the 41st minute, Joshua Kimmich broke down the right and gave Mario Gomez the chance to head wide. Two minutes later, a series of mis-shots by Germany presented Thomas Muller with a wonderful opportunity but he struck tamely at Gianluigi Buffon.
Almost immediately Leonardo Bonucci lofted one of his elegant long balls over the German defence; Emanuele Giaccherini raced to keep it in and pulled it back, Manuel Neuer uncharacteristically failed to stop the cross and Sturaro's shot was deflected just wide.
After half-time, it was Germany who seemed most encouraged by the brief outbreak of genuine hostilities. They continued to probe, Mario Gomez bursting through in the 54th minute and laying the ball back to Muller. His shot was headed in but for an acrobatic goal-line clearance, diving through the air, foot outstretched to clear for a corner.
Still, it began to feel like this might have all the hallmarks of a classic Italian international victory.
They were keeping the superior Germans largely were they wanted them and when necessary they applied the boot. Three Italians were booked in four minutes between 55th and 59th minutes for over physical tackles on their opponents, including De Sciglio, who went through Kimmel and earned a suspension from the next game.
No breakthrough appeared imminent but Germany are a team that can be relied upon to stick to the game plan no matter how little it seems to be producing. They only needed one chance to seize the initiative and it came in the 64th minute. Gomez found a burst of burst and cut a ball inside for Jonas Hector, the wing back sprinting down the left, who crossed.
Arriving from deep, his timing exquisite, was Arsenal's Ozil. His finish was as good, clinical and beautifully struck. Germany had the lead. Now Conte would have to change. Yet he was fortunate his team were not further behind in the 69th minute. Ozil, full of confidence now, lifted a ball over the defence on to the chest of Gomez. He controlled the ball but attempted to back heel it in, Chiellini appeared from seemingly nowhere to clear.
Yet Italy are Germany's equal when it comes to tournament know-how. It was premature to think that they would let the game pass without a fight back. They were fortunate to be presented their chance, however.
Jerome Boateng jumped wildly inside his penalty area, arms flapping, to cut out a cross to Chiellini. His indiscretion cost him, his windmill-like arms handling the ball and conceding the penalty in the 77th minute.
Bonucci stepped up, Neuer waggled his arms, Bonucci dummied his run, Neuer dived the right way anyway but Bonucci's penalty was so clean, so clinical and precise that it nestled in the net beyond the outstretched arm of the German.
And in the end it was a shootout that had to decide this encounter, with no further goals in the 90 minutes or in extra-time. And Germany have now won six of seven major-tournament shootouts, with Jonas Hector scoring the decisive kick in sudden-death. Never bet against the Germans.
