Dani Olmo did not start Euro 2024 as part of Spain coach Luis de la Fuente's first-choice side but how the three-time champions finish will depend in no small part on him.
The 26-year-old RB Leipzig attacking midfielder replaced the injured Pedri against Germany early on in the quarter-final and contributed to both of Spain's goals in a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory.
Olmo slotted home the first and created the second for Mikel Merino in a superb display in Stuttgart, and is set to start against France in the semi-final on Tuesday.
At the beginning of the group phase, with Barcelona playmaker Pedri fit and in form, De la Fuente opted for him as the team's central creator over Olmo.
In the past, the technically gifted Olmo has also operated on the left for Spain but electric Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has proven undroppable this summer.
Instead Olmo waited patiently for his chances to come and made sure he took them, firstly in Spain's third group-stage match against Albania.
They won 1-0 and Olmo impressed, setting up Ferran Torres for the only goal of the game.
"Dani Olmo is a superb player, a fantastic footballer, I really value him," said De la Fuente.
"He thinks about the team more than himself as an individual."
The versatile playmaker tucked away Spain's fourth in the last-16 romp over Georgia as a substitute and when he stepped in for Pedri against Germany after just eight minutes, he needed no time to acclimatise to the pace of the game.
Olmo forced a good save from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish after 51 minutes.
The midfielder then curled in a dangerous ball for Merino to head home when the game seemed set for the lottery of penalties.
"I'm exhausted but I'm so proud of the fantastic team we have, how we fought to the end, it's incredible, I'm so happy," said Olmo after he was named player of the match.
Spain v Germany player ratings
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SPAIN RATINGS. Saved a Kimmich header on 20 mins and comfortable saving Havertz’s chances in the first half. More comfortable saves in the second. Booked for time-wasting as Spain tried to see the game out. Poor ball out almost saw him chipped by Havertz. Finally beaten on 88 minutes. Great save from Fullkrug late on. Getty Images -
Fouled in a yellow card challenge on 27 mins. Got back to get his foot in and disrupt German attacks. Blocked Havertz as Germany pushed for an equaliser. Became the 11th player to be booked (from 16) in the game on 100 minutes, then sent off after taking one for the team. PA -
Shot low and on target after 22 mins. Floored 10 seconds into the second half by Wirtz. Ball went over his head for Germany’s goal, but played well. EPA -
Got his foot in to block a fifth minute German attack. Booked after 29 mins and taken off as a caution at half time. AFP -
Fired a splendid ball down the line after five minutes. Beaten in the air before Germany’s equaliser. Ball hit his hand after 106 minutes but no penalty – correctly – was given. AFP -
His muscle was needed in a scrappy game. Tough against Musiala and he should have been booked for one challenge. Stopped the ball getting to Gundogan in the box on 54 mins. Booked. AFP -
Had a shot on target in the first minute, then flipped over in a tackle by Kroos three minutes later. Left the pitch after eight minutes and his leg was heavily bandaged thereafter. AFP -
Shot over the bar after going for the top corner in an open game after 16 minutes. Lovely touch and skill to take three players out of the game with a 79th minute move. Booked. AFP -
Set up Morata at the start of the second half and Olmo with a perfectly weighted pass after 51 mins for the opener. Getty Images -
Poor movement in the first half, shot over at the start of the second when he was much improved. Involved in the first goal. Brought off as Spain sought, unsuccessfully, to protect their lead. Booked in the celebrations for the winner and will miss the semi-final. Reuters -
Quick feet allowed him to shoot on target on 35 mins, but he was offside. Closely followed by Rudiger and not as effective as in other games. AP -
SPAIN SUBS. (On for Pedri, 8'): Put his side ahead after 51 mins with a beautifully timed run and finish. Pulled back by Kroos when he was clear on goal. Germany struggled to deal with the Spaniard who plays his club football for Leipzig. AFP -
(On for Le Normand, 46'): The Saudi-bound player had a tough time against the powerful Fullkrug. Reuters -
(On for Yamal, 63'): Booked for pulling back Musiala. Prodded a breakaway attack wide after 120 minutes. AP -
(On for Morata, 80'): Curled a shot from outside the area wide of the far post. EPA -
(On for Williams, 80'): Will be remembered for one thing, the winning goal, a perfectly executed header on 118 minutes from the Real Sociedad midfielder. PA -
(On for Ruiz, 102'): The Stuttgart-born striker was a late substitute. PA -
GERMANY RATINGS: Couple of solid if routine stops from Pedri and then his replacement Olmo in the first half. Could do little about either goal. AFP -
Didn't know whether to stick or twist at times as he wanted to get forward but wary of the dangerous Williams. Super knock down for equaliser. Getty Images -
Battled bravely but looked distraught after he lost Merino and was caught under the ball for the winner. Reuters -
Took a while to settle down on return from suspension but solid enough afterwards. AFP -
Should have done more to stop Lamal crossing for the opener. Withdrawn on 57 minutes. AFP -
Put himself about in physical start from Germans but off the pace and subbed at the break. AFP -
Glittering career ended in crushing disappointment in his final game before retirement. Getty Images -
Couple of searching passes but struggled to make an impact and taken off in reshuffle on 57 minutes. AFP -
Flickered in and out of the game. Some lively runs but not quite the cutting edge of previous games. AFP -
Some clever link-up play but blew big moment as he lofted over the bar as his side sought an equaliser. AFP -
On the fringes of the game before half-time withdrawal. AFP -
GERMANY SUBS. (On for Sane, 45'): Super finish for vital late leveller and almost had a second in extra time. Getty Images -
(On for Can, 45'): Added some bite to German midfield. Reuters -
(On for Gundogan, 57'): Gave side a focal point and proved a real handful for Spanish defence. Struck post and drew big save from Simon late in extra time. Then missed late headed chance. Reuters -
(On for Raum, 57'): Rash defensively but cross led to Wirtz's goal. AP -
(On for Tah, 80'): Made little impact. Reuters -
(On for Havertz, 90'): Shored things up. Getty Images
"It's everyone's tournament, that's what matters the most ... this win is for (Pedri) and everyone, and bring on the semi-finals."
Pedri suffered a knee sprain after a robust tackle by veteran Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and will be out for the remainder of the tournament.
De la Fuente has kept all his squad on-side and ready to contribute, and Olmo is the best example of how that has paid off.
Pedri is not the only regular starter De la Fuente is missing for the semi-final clash against Les Bleus in Munich.
Right-back Dani Carvajal was sent off late in extra time against Germany and Robin Le Normand is also suspended.
Nacho Fernandez and Jesus Navas are the most likely candidates to fill in and the coach said he has full belief in his squad.
"I have 26 top players who are competitive for these matches, if one is absent, another will play," he explained.
"This group has exceptional human and footballing qualities. I know they won't let me down."
Olmo certainly did not against Germany, although his Berlin-born partner might have a different opinion.
Didier Deschamps' dull but durable France have proven hard to break down thus far, conceding just one goal in five matches, the best record out of the four semi-finalists.
Spain, by contrast, are the leading scorers and Olmo's job is to help them unpick the blue wall and take La Roja to the Berlin final on July 14.
France will hope that Kylian Mpabbe, who will join Real Madrid next season, can finally find top gear against Spain.
So far, the man who bagged an incredible hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final defeat against Argentina has scored only once at this tournament – a penalty against Poland in the group phase.
But France skipper Mbappe, who has worn a protective mask since suffering a broken nose in their opening game against Austria, has been backed to come good by coach Deschamps and his teammates.
"He might not have been here at all, so we need to look at it in a positive light," said Deschamps on Sunday.
"Kylian is here, even if he is not at 100 per cent, and I know that has an impact on the opposition who are forced to adapt to him."
Erstwhile PSG teammate Randal Kolo Muani said: "I don't think he is going through a bad period. He had a great season. If he is not scoring goals we need to help him. The competition is not over. Apart from his little nose, he is fine."
