Home » UEFA Nations League – Spain needed shootout to see out the Netherlands

UEFA Nations League – Spain needed shootout to see out the Netherlands

Written By : Tommy — March 24, 2025

Listed Under: Featured, Football, News, Trending, UEFA

The second leg of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals concluded with high drama, as Spain needed a penalty shootout to eliminate the Netherlands, while Cristiano Ronaldo scored and missed a penalty in Portugal’s comeback victory over Denmark.

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UEFA Nations League Quarter-Final Results (Second Leg):

France 2-0 Croatia (5-4 Pen)
Germany 3-3 Italy (5-4 AGG)
Portugal 5-2 Denmark (5-3 AGG)
Spain 3-3 Netherlands (5-3 Pen)

Spain Edge Past Netherlands in Six-Goal Thriller

Pedri converted the decisive penalty in a thrilling encounter between Spain and the Netherlands, securing a 5-3 aggregate win after a dramatic shootout in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal initially shone with a stunning goal in the 103rd minute to put Spain ahead, but he later missed his penalty in the shootout. Fortunately, goalkeeper Unai Simón saved Donyell Malen’s effort, paving the way for Spain’s triumph. Noa Lang had also missed for the Netherlands earlier, sending his shot over the crossbar.

Yamal looked dejected after failing his penalty against Netherlands

The match was a back-and-forth battle, with Oyarzabal scoring twice (8th-minute penalty and 67th-minute strike) for Spain. Memphis Depay equalized from the spot, and Maatsen’s goal in the 79th minute ensured the game finished 2-2 in regular time, bringing the aggregate score to 4-4 and forcing extra time.

Yamal’s brilliance in the 103rd minute gave Spain a temporary lead, but just six minutes later, Xavi Simons converted a penalty he had won, leveling the match again.

Pedri succeeded the final penalty to help Spain qualify for Nations League semifinal

With neither side able to score in the remaining minutes, the game went to penalties. Malen and Lang’s misses proved costly for the Netherlands, while Pedri’s decisive strike sealed Spain’s place in the semi-finals, where they will face France in a rematch of their Euro 2024 semi-final, which Spain won 2-1.

France Overcome Croatia in Penalty Shootout Thriller

The France vs. Croatia tie was also decided by penalties like Spain vs. the Netherlands.

Trailing 0-2 after the first leg, Didier Deschamps’ men staged a comeback at home on March 24.

Despite Croatia’s solid defense, France finally found the breakthrough in the second half. Michael Olise scored a stunning free kick in the 52nd minute, electrifying the home crowd.

Mike Maignan saved France during the shootout against Croatia

Thirty minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé completed France’s comeback, finishing off a well-crafted move initiated by Kylian Mbappé, who threaded a pass to Olise before he squared it to the PSG winger for the equalizer.

With no goals in extra time, penalties decided the winner. Five players missed their spot-kicks—three for Croatia and two for France.

Martin Baturina missed Croatia’s first attempt, followed by Franjo Ivanovic, while Jules Koundé failed for France. Theo Hernández skied his shot, giving Croatia hope, but Mike Maignan saved Josip Stanišić’s effort. Dayot Upamecano then stepped up and coolly slotted the winning penalty to send France into the semi-finals, where they will face Spain.

France celebrated as they qualified for Nations League semifinal

Portugal Crush Denmark in Five-Goal Show

Portugal put on a dominant display at home, scoring five past Denmark to seal a 5-3 aggregate victory.

Kristensen and Christian Eriksen managed to find the net for Denmark, keeping the game competitive. However, Francisco Trincão shone with a late brace, scoring in the 86th and 91st minutes, before Gonçalo Ramos sealed the win for Portugal.