Germany reaches Euro 2016 semis, beats Italy for first time in nine tries

Jonas Hector scored the winning penalty as Germany beat Italy 6-5 in a wild shootout in Bordeaux, France, to reach the European Championship semifinals.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon guessed the right way but dived over Hector’s kick. No wonder the 38-year-old Buffon walked off the field in tears afterward.

After the quarterfinal finished 1-1 after extra time, Matteo Darmian had his penalty saved with the 17th attempt of the shootout to give Hector the chance to earn Germany a first competitive win over Italy in nine tries.

Mesut Ozil gave Germany the lead in the 65th minute, deflecting Hector’s cross. Leonardo Bonucci equalized by converting a penalty in the 78th.

MANCHESTER UNITED — Ryan Giggs ended his 29-year association with Manchester United, leaving the English Premier League club at the start of Jose Mourinho’s reign in a bid to become a manager himself.

Giggs was an exception in soccer by spending his entire playing career at one club. After joining in 1987, Giggs went on to appear a record 963 times for the first team, mostly under Alex Ferguson.

In tandem, Giggs became British soccer’s most decorated player and Ferguson the most successful manager.

After 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs, Giggs brought an end to his playing career in 2014 to become Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager.

MESSI — Hundreds of fans of Lionel Messi gathered in the rain in Argentina’s capital to ask that the soccer star return to the national team following his shock retirement from the squad. The cold and rain kept the numbers down, as thousands had been expected.