Euro 2016 - Germany clinch semi-final spot after shoot-out win over Italy

Germany are in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 after beating Italy 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out.

The world champions will meet France or Iceland in the semi-final in Marseille on Thursday, after winning their sixth consecutive shoot-out at a major tournament following a 1-1 draw after 90 and 120 minutes.

Germany had taken the lead just before the midway point of the second half, as Mesut Ozil netted his 20th international goal from a Jonas Hector cutback.

But the Azzurri levelled on 78 minutes when Leonardo Bonucci beat Manuel Neuer from the penalty spot, following Jerome Boateng's handball in the area.

Neither side looked like netting a winner in extra-time, so to penalties it went.

Neuer stopped two penalties in the shoot-out, from Bonucci and Matteo Darmian, and Graziano Pelle and Simone Zaza also missed as tired minds affected even more tired legs.

But Die Mannschaft's reputation as spot-kick kings also took a beating, with Thomas Muller, Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger all missing from 12 yards.

Before tonight, Germany last missed a penalty in a shoot-out in 1982, when Uli Stielike failed to score from the spot in the World Cup semi-final against France.

In sudden death the quality improved, but when Darmian had his shot saved by Neuer, Hector kept his cool to slot home the winning kick and clinch it 6-5.

Giaccherini is very much an Antonio Conte protege, having signed for him at Juventus in 2011 with his career drifting at lower league Cesena. He spent last season on loan at Bologna from Sunderland, where he worked his way back into Conte's plans ahead of the European Championship. Man of the match against Belgium, he also impressed tonight against Germany in a central midfield role in a 3-5-2 formation. He is under contract at Sunderland until next summer – can he work his way back into Sam Allardyce's plans at the Stadium of Light next season? Or is he destined to be sold before the four-year deal he signed in July 2013 runs out?

Joachim Low opted to ape Italy's 3-5-2 formation, with Jonas Hector and Kimmich playing as wing-backs. It was a bold move by the Germany boss, but Kimmich in particular rose to the challenge. The Bayern Munich midfielder was a constant threat with his crosses from the right flank, and his willingness to attack nullified the threat of Mattia De Sciglio into the bargain. The 21-year-old also showed courage to net a crucial penalty in the penalty shoot-out.

Germany: Neuer 7, Howedes 7, Boateng 7, Hummels 7, Hector 7, Kroos 6, Khedira 6, Muller 6, Ozil 6, Kimmich 8 Gomez 6. Subs: Schweinsteiger 7, Draxler 6.

Italy: Buffon 6, Barzagli 7, Bonucci 7, Chiellini 7, Florenzi 7, Sturaro 6, Parolo 6, Giaccherini 7, De Sciglio 6, Eder 6, Pelle 6. Subs: Darmian 6, Insigne 7, Zaza 5.

20' – CHANCE! Gomez gets between the two Italy defenders but at full stretch is unable to control Hummels' long ball down the centre.

41' – CHANCE! Gomez heads well over from a Kimmich cross from the right - another good teasing ball from the right wing-back.

42' – SAVE! Buffon saves from Muller, following a spot of pinball in the Italy area.

54' – BLOCK! Florenzi makes a brilliant dive to deny Muller a first ever goal at the Euros, from Gomez's lay off.

65' – GOAL! Germany 1-0 Italy. . Ozil sweeps home from near the penalty spot from Hector's cutback from the touchline following a Gomez break down the left flank.

68' – SAVE! Buffon blocks from Gomez's improvised backheel from Ozil's sweet chip into the box.

74' – CHANCE! Pelle shoots wide at the near post from De Sciglio's low cross, having got to the ball ahead of Boateng.

76' – PENALTY! Schweinsteiger heads clear from Florenzi's corner, then Boateng has his arms in the air and is penalised.

78 - GOAL! Germany 1-1 Italy. Bonucci stutters in his run up, then stabs his spot-kick wide to Neuer's left. That is his first penalty in professional football - Eder has a 10 in 10 record, incidentally.

118'- SAVE! Buffon easily stops Ozil's snapshot form the left hand edge of the area.

PENALTY SHOOT OUT: Germany 6-5 Italy. Hector blasts the ball through Buffon to send Germany through to a semi-final against France or Iceland.

Bastian Schweinsteiger made his 37th appearance in World Cup and European Championships in Bordeaux, equalling the major tournament record of Miroslav Klose.

Leonardo Bonucci's penalty is the first time Manuel Neuer has been beaten in a major tournament for 558 minutes. The last before that was Oscar's goal in the 2014 World Cup semi-final against Brazil.

Germany have reached at least the semi-finals in their last six major tournaments. They last time they failed to do so was at Euro 2004 (they were eliminated in the group stage).

Thomas Muller hasn't scored a goal in ten games at the Euros. He has 10 goals in 13 World Cup games.