Germany and Spain, closer to the 'semis'; France, on the ropes in the Nations League

The UEFA Nations League is starting to have a fairly clear picture regarding three of the four possible qualifiers for the 'final four'. The results from Thursday put Germany, Croatia, and Spain well positioned for qualification, although La Roja could only salvage a draw as visitors against the Netherlands (2-2). France, on the other hand, was the big loser of the day alongside Portugal.

Spain survived Rotterdam and will seek qualification in Mestalla

In Rotterdam, the national team took an early lead thanks to a stunning goal from Nico Williams in the 9th minute. However, Ronald Koeman's team reacted after the first quarter of an hour, and Cody Gakpo equalized the score in the 28th minute. No sooner had the second half started, Tijjani Reijnders put the 'Orange' ahead, but Spain, already without the injured Pau Cubarsí (the center-back left due to an ankle injury in the 40th minute), woke up in the final stretch and managed to equalize in the 90+3rd minute, thanks to a goal from Mikel Merino.

The Arsenal midfielder took advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Verbruggen, following a shot from the side by Nico Williams, to finish comfortably against a Dutch defense weakened by the expulsion of Jorrel Hato in the second half. The return leg will be played next Sunday in Mestalla, with Spain as the clear favorite after an unbeaten streak of 22 matches with Luis de la Fuente on the bench.

• Return leg: Spain vs Netherlands. Sunday, March 16 in Valencia, at 20:45 (2-2 on aggregate).

Germany put one foot in the 'semis' with a historic victory in San Siro

Germany, for its part, won in Italy for the first time in 39 years (since 1986) with a very commendable comeback. Italy took the lead in the 8th minute thanks to a goal from Sandro Tonali and could have gone into halftime with a greater advantage. However, the introductions of Tim Kleindienst and Nico Schlotterbeck at halftime gave a completely different face to Julian Nagelsmann's team in the second half.

Kleindienst equalized the match in the 49th minute, thanks to a powerful header from a cross delivered by Joshua Kimmich. The Germans poured forward and, in the 76th minute, Kimmich again set up Leon Goretzka to seal the comeback. The return leg will be on Sunday in Dortmund, a true fortress for the 'mannschaft'.

• Return leg: Germany vs Italy. Sunday, March 16 in Dortmund, at 20:45 (2-1 on aggregate).

Denmark took a narrow lead against Portugal

At the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark justly defeated a pale Portugal. Roberto Martínez's team had their star lineup, but it was the Danes who were the protagonists of the match from start to finish. In the 78th minute, Rasmus Hojlund gave the locals the victory thanks to an assist from Andreas Olsen. Both players had come on in the second half. The rematch will be on Sunday at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, with the Portuguese needing to win by a two-goal margin to qualify.

• Return leg: Portugal vs Denmark. Sunday, March 16 in Lisbon, at 20:45 (0-1 on aggregate).

Croatia leaves France on the brink of KO

Meanwhile, Croatia was able to take advantage of France's confusion in the first half, where the locals even had the luxury of missing a penalty right at the start of the match. The French, with Jules Koundé in the XI, succumbed to a compact, fast, and lethal team in the opponent's area. The goals came courtesy of Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic in the 26th and 45+1 minutes. In the second half, the French reacted in search of a consolation goal, but Zlatko Dalic's team held on to the result that leaves 'Les Bleus' on the brink of another international KO. The return leg will be on Sunday at the Stade de France.

• Return leg: France vs Croatia. Sunday, March 16 in Paris, at 20:45 (0-2 on aggregate)