Rafael Nadal and Paula Badosa ecstatic as Spain edge past host Germany in Euro 2024 thriller to reach semifinal

Rafael Nadal and Paula Badosa expressed their joy and pride for their national soccer team as Spain advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Euro 2024. On Friday, Spain clinched a dramatic 2-1 win over host Germany in extra time in the quarterfinal at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart.

Spain, who had won the Euro title in 1964, 2008, and 2012, took the lead in the 51st minute when Dani Olmo scored with a low shot from outside the box. Germany fought back and equalized in the 89th minute, when substitute Florian Wirtz fired a stunning volley from the edge of the area.

The game went into extra time, and Spain found the winner in the 119th minute, when another substitute, Mikel Merino, headed into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations from Spanish players and fans.

Two of Spain’s most prominent tennis players, Rafael Nadal and Paula Badosa, took to social media to express their joy and pride for their country’s performance. Nadal posted a graphic of the Spanish team on his Instagram account, with the caption:

"Vamosssssss" (Let’s go).

Badosa, who has reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, shared a picture on her Instagram story, where she can be seen watching the match on TV during her physiotherapy session.

"Siiiiiiii vamos espana!" (Yes, let’s go Spain).

Rafael Nadal (@rafaelnadal) and Paula Badosa's (@paulabadosa) Instagram stories

Spain will now face France in the semifinal on July 9 at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. France beat Portugal 5-3 on penalties in another thrilling quarterfinal.

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Paula Badosa shared that being from the same country as Rafael Nadal was a great inspiration

The Spaniard at the 2024 Brisbane International

Paula Badosa shared that having Rafael Nadal hail from her country has been a source of inspiration for her.

Speaking on the Tennis Channel's 'Inside-In' podcast in March 2024, Badosa opened up on the demanding nature of tennis and the daily challenges it presents.

“I completely agree. I think it’s [tennis] very, very tough, and it challenges you every day. It’s a very tough sport, and I think it’s also the fact that it is like an individual sport that makes it even tougher,” Badosa said (at 8:42).

Paula Badosa credited the 22-time Grand Slam champion with instilling in her a "warrior" mentality, inspiring her to approach each match with determination, regardless of her physical or mental state.

"Well, that came after I promised myself I was going to fight and be a warrior on court. I think a little bit also having Rafa in our country inspired me a lot, and I started that year [2021] and I said no matter how I feel, no matter how I feel that day—mentally, physically, or how I feel my tennis—I'm going to be there; I’m going to fight, she added (at 9:09).

The 38-year-old skipped the entire grass season, including the prestigious Wimbledon Championships, in favor of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris (July 27-August 4). The Olympics will be played on the clay courts of the Roland Garros, where the Spaniard won a record 14 titles.

But before that, Rafael Nadal will make a stoppage in Bastaad, Sweden, for the Nordea Open (July 15-21), where he will be participating in singles as well as doubles (w/ Casper Ruud).