Spain edge past Netherlands to reach Nations League semi-finals
Spain 3 - 3 Netherlands
The match finished 5-5 on aggregate. Spain won 5-4 on penalties
Spain had twice taken the lead in normal time, both courtesy of Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal. But Memphis Depay marked his 100th Netherlands cap with a penalty early in the second half, before debutant Ian Maatsen’s thunderous strike forced extra time.
Yamal restored Spain’s lead with a stunning solo effort, curling a beauty into the far corner, but Xavi Simons hit back with another Dutch penalty after Simón had brought him down in the box.
The shootout saw Lang rattle the crossbar before Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen kept out Yamal. However, Simón produced the crucial stop from Malen, allowing Pedri to send Spain through to a last-four clash with France.
The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches, and they haven’t lost in the Nations League since a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in September 2022.
A closer look at what happened during the first 90 minutes in Valencia
Similar to the 2-2 draw in the first leg in Rotterdam, Spain started strong and took the lead within eight minutes, thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad forward was fouled in the box by Jan Paul van Hecke and successfully converted the penalty, placing it accurately into the bottom corner.
Bart Verbruggen thwarted Nico Williams shortly afterwards, and gradually the Oranje grew into it. By half-time Ronald Koeman's men were firmly in the ascendancy and nine minutes into the second period they were level as Memphis Depay marked his 100th cap with an emphatic penalty after being brought down by Robin Le Normand.
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Midway through the second half, Oyarzabal put the reigning champions in front once again by heading in the rebound after his initial chip was blocked by Verbruggen. With time running out, Netherlands coach Koeman made three attacking substitutions.
Two of those substitutes, Noa Lang and Xavi Simons, assisted debutant Ian Maatsen, who scored a well-placed equalizer.
To extra time and penalties
On the 103rd minute, the hosts hit the front again through Lamine Yamal's trickery, only for the Oranje to peg back the hosts for a third time after the break. The goal came from another spot kick, this time courtesy of Simons.
Unai Simón conceded that spot kick, but made amends in sudden death in the shoot-out as he guessed correctly to stop Donyell Malen's effort. Pedri confidently converted his penalty to send La Roja into the final four. What an incredible night of football.
