Nations League: Defending champions Spain, France set for a semi-final showdown after successful on penalties

Holders Spain beat the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic quarter-final second leg in Valencia completed 3-3 on Sunday to arrange a Nations League last-four conflict with France, who edged Croatia in a shoot-out after a 2-2 mixture draw.

On a dramatic evening, Portugal battled previous Denmark in further time and can subsequent face Finals hosts Germany after their tense 5-4 mixture victory over Italy.

European champions Spain took the lead within the tie, after Thursday’s 2-2 first-leg draw, when Mikel Oyarzabal picked himself up after being fouled within the field to fit house an early penalty.

The Netherlands equalised 9 minutes into the second half as Memphis Depay additionally gained after which netted a spot-kick.

Oyarzabal grabbed his second within the 67th minute after a powerful run ahead by Nico Williams, just for the Dutch to degree once more with 11 minutes remaining by way of Ian Maatsen’s fierce strike.

Lamine Yamal struck shortly earlier than the interval in further time, although, curling the ball into the far nook after a few very good touches.

There was yet one more twist as Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon introduced down Xavi Simons, who picked himself as much as rating.

Spain edged house 5-4 within the shoot-out regardless of a miss from Yamal, as Simon saved from Netherlands winger Donyell Malen and Pedri struck the successful penalty.

☄️ Yamal roller
🪄 Olise free-kick
🎯 Samardžić stunner
🤸‍♂️ Lukaku acrobatics

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“We’re Spain and we don’t must concern anybody,” Pedri advised TVE of dealing with 2021 Nations League winners France within the semi-finals in Stuttgart on June 5.

France worn out a two-goal deficit towards Croatia on the Stade de France.

Michael Olise’s good free-kick broke the impasse on the evening within the 52nd minute, earlier than Ousmane Dembele swept Olise’s cutback into the underside nook to ship the quarter-final to further time.

Theo Hernandez missed a penalty to win it for France in an eventful shoot-out, however Dayot Upamecano finally secured a 5-4 success on penalties in sudden dying.

“We awoke considering it may very well be an amazing evening,” Kylian Mbappe advised TF1. “We have been satisfied we have been going to do one thing nice.”

Trincao fires Portugal by way of

Portugal, impressed by substitute Francisco Trincao, battled again after dropping the primary recreation 1-0 to win an exciting last-eight encounter with Denmark 5-3 on mixture.

Cristiano Ronaldo, after a stuttering run-up, produced the tamest of early penalties which was comfortably held by Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Portugal have been gifted the lead on the evening when Joachim Andersen put by way of his personal internet.

However the Danes restored their mixture benefit 11 minutes into the second half by way of Rasmus Kristensen’s wonderful header.

Cristiano Ronaldo and world data go hand-in-hand 🐐

The Portuguese legend receives his Guinness World Document for probably the most wins in a world profession (132).

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Ronaldo did get his 136th worldwide objective, although, turning the ball in after Schmeichel tipped Fernandes’ shot towards the put up.

However Portugal have been caught out within the 76th minute when Christian Eriksen tapped house.

The hosts managed to drive an added half-hour when Schmeichel’s weak punch fell to Mendes, who teed up Trincao to drill a shot into the underside nook.

Trincao netted his second within the first minute of additional time and Goncalo Ramos secured a gathering with Germany in Munich on June 4.

Germany maintain off Italy fightback

Julian Nagelsmann’s Germans survived an Italy comeback to win 5-4 on mixture after a 3-3 attract Dortmund.

Germany prolonged their total benefit on the half-hour mark when Joshua Kimmich tucked house a spot-kick earlier than taking part in a key position in a weird second objective.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma left his objective after making a save to complain on the referee and Kimmich took a quickly-taken nook which was flicked into an empty internet by Jamal Musiala.

Tim Kleindienst nodded in Kimmich’s clipped cross on the stroke of half-time, however Moise Kean scored twice to present Italy a glimmer of hope heading into the final 20 minutes.

Giacomo Raspadori transformed a penalty in harm time to equalise on the evening, however there was not lengthy sufficient left for the Azzurri.

“A soccer recreation is rarely good, nevertheless it was some unbelievable soccer, and one of the best I’ve seen us play,” Germany coach Nagelsmann mentioned.

Elsewhere, Belgium narrowly averted relegation to League B as two late objectives from Romelu Lukaku helped them overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit towards Ukraine with a 3-0 victory.