Nations League 'semis' defined: Spain will face France again

The UEFA Nations League concluded this Sunday the quarter-finals of its elite division, with the four qualifiers ready to compete in the 'final four' in June. Spain, Germany, Portugal, and France will determine the new champion of the tournament that has been held since the 2018-19 season, with the current champion being La Roja. Of the four semifinalists, Germany is the only one that has not won the title, something they will try to achieve as hosts at the Allianz Arena. The final will be in Munich on Sunday, June 8.

Spain advanced on penalties against the Netherlands and will defend its crown

La Roja secured its qualification at Mestalla with a penalty shootout victory against the Netherlands (3-3, 5-4 p.). Luis de la Fuente's team had drawn in Rotterdam and took the lead right at the start of the match, thanks to a penalty scored by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 8th minute. In the second half, the 'Oranje' equalized the match with a penalty scored by Memphis Depay in the 54th minute. Oyarzabal restored the advantage for the hosts in the 67th minute, but Ian Maatsen sent the match into extra time with a stunning goal in the 79th minute.

In extra time, Lamine Yamal seemed to lead the Spanish qualification with a stunning goal in the 103rd minute. However, Xavi Simons, with another penalty, restored balance to the tie in the second half of extra time. In the end, Spain triumphed in the penalties (5-4) in a shootout where Unai Simón was the standout figure, saving two of the six Dutch penalties. Lamine missed his shot, but Pedri González scored the sixth and decisive penalty to put the National Team into the semifinals.

• Semi-final: Spain vs France. Thursday, June 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart.

Germany survived against Italy in a crazy match in Dortmund

In Dortmund, Germany advanced to the 'semis' thanks to a 1-2 win for Julian Nagelsmann's team in the first leg played at San Siro. On Sunday, there was no winner at the Signal Iduna Park (3-3), always a true fortress for the 'mannschaft'. Joshua Kimmich opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a penalty, paving the way for an unstoppable rout. Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst rounded off the 3-0 before halftime.

The Germans had qualification in the bag, but Italy reacted with a brace from Moise Kean in the 49th and 69th minutes. The 'azzurri' pushed for the equalizer, which came too late through Giacomo Raspadori in the fifth minute of stoppage time. In the end, it felt like if the 3-3 had come a little earlier, Luciano Spalletti's team would have likely forced extra time. In the 'final four', the Germans will be at home in Munich against Portugal.

• Semi-final: Germany vs Portugal. Wednesday, June 4 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

France also made it to the 'final four' on penalties

At the Stade de France, France had to wait for penalties to overcome a two-goal deficit against the always combative Croatia. The visitors held the score with great defensive work in the first half but showed fatigue in the second half, and Didier Deschamps' team sent the tie into extra time with goals from Michael Olise in the 52nd minute and Ousmane Dembélé, ten minutes before the end.

In extra time, Croatia continued to focus on holding the score, and in 120 minutes, Zlatko Dalic's team was unable to even take a shot on goal. In the penalties, there were seven attempts from each side, with Josip Stanisic missing the seventh and decisive penalty against Mike Maignan, and Dayot Upamecano tasked with scoring the qualification penalty, with suspense after a rebound off the crossbar. Just like in the last Euro, 'Les Bleus' will be Spain's opponent, renewing the final of 2021.

• Semi-final: Spain vs France. Thursday, June 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart.

Portugal managed to come back against Denmark

Finally, Portugal did manage to overcome the deficit from the first leg in Copenhagen (1-0) with a hard-fought victory in Lisbon against Denmark (5-2). Roberto Martínez's team came out strong for the comeback and went into halftime with the lead thanks to an own goal from central defender Joachim Andersen, who sent the ball into his own net while trying to prevent a header from Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al Nassr forward missed a penalty in the 6th minute, with a very weak shot that Kasper Schmeichel easily saved.

In the second half, Kristensen scored to make it 1-1 in the 56th minute, and Ronaldo put the Portuguese back in front in the 72nd minute. However, Eriksen equalized just four minutes later, but Francisco Trincao appeared in the 86th minute to force extra time. No sooner had extra time started than the former Barcelona midfielder made it 4-2, and in the 115th minute, Gonçalo Ramos sealed the Danish hopes with the goal that completed the 'manita' and secured qualification.

• Semi-final: Germany vs Portugal. Wednesday, June 4 at the Allianz Arena in Munich.