Germany thump Slovakia

Germany's first penalty miss at a European Championship for 40 years proved but a footnote as the team eased into the quarter-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Slovakia.

Goals from Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and man-of-the-match Julian Draxler ensured the world champion did not rue Mesut Ozil's missed spot kick early in the first half.

Up next for Germany is a quarter-finals against two-time defending champion Spain or old rival Italy for what will undoubtedly be one of the most-anticipated matches in the next round.

Germany produced their best performance of the tournament, showing their defensive resilience as well as attacking ambition.

"Today was a good performance, in defence and in attack," Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

"But with due respect to our opponent, this was not an indicator for how the tournament will go on. We have to improve further to be successful."

Boateng scored in the eighth minute when his shot from outside the area took a deflection into the left corner.

It was the fastest goal scored by Germany at a European Championship.

"It was about time it went in," Boateng quipped over his first international goal in 63 appearances.

The 27-year-old had been doubtful for the game, but he overcame a calf injury to play.

Ozil had the chance to make it 2-0 six minutes later from the penalty spot after Martin Skrtel shoved Mario Gomez, but goalkeeper Matus Kozacik guessed the right way and palmed away his effort.

It was the first missed penalty by a German player at the European Championship since Uli Hoeness shot over the bar as Czechoslovakia defeated West Germany 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the 1976 final.

Antonin Panenka famously scored the winning penalty with a chip down the middle.

Germany's pressure eventually paid off, when Gomez doubled the score in the 43rd after Draxler eluded Juraj Kucka to set up the simple finish.

Kucka had moments earlier come close to levelling for Slovakia only to be thwarted by a save from Manuel Neuer.

Draxler killed off any hopes of a Slovakia comeback with a 63rd-minute volley from close range.

Germany is the only team remaining at Euro 2016 that has yet to concede a goal.

In fact, Loew's side hasn't conceded a goal since it lost 3-1 to Slovakia in a pre-tournament friendly in Augsburg on May 29.