London, 24 March 2025 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - European champions Spain held off a fightback from the Netherlands to win a penalty shoot-out 5-4 and secure their place in the Nations League semi-finals after a dramatic night in Valencia.

With the tie level at 2-2 from the first leg following a late goal from Mikel Merino, Spain took an early lead through Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty.

The Dutch equalised through a spot-kick from Memphis Depay early in the second half, only for Oyarzabal to put Spain back ahead.

Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen scored a debut goal with 11 minutes left to make it 2-2 on the night.

Lamine Yamal and Dutch substitute Xavi Simons, from a penalty, both scored in extra time, sending the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

After Noa Lang struck the crossbar with the Netherlands’ fourth kick, Yamal’s effort was also saved.

But Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon saved from Donyell Malen in sudden death with Pedri then converting to give Spain victory.

France also needed penalties to beat Croatia, coming back from a 2-0 first leg deficit.

Michael Olise’s free-kick early in the second half and Ousmane Dembele’s late goal made it 2-0 to Les Blues at Stade de France.

With neither side able to find a winner in extra-time, the tie went to spot-kicks, with France goalkeeper Mike Maignan saving twice before Dayot Upamecano slotted in to secure a 5-4 success.

Germany survived a second-half comeback from Italy to progress into the semi-finals after a 3-3 draw in Dortmund saw them progress 5-4 on aggregate.

Defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg at the San Siro, Germany looked in control after captain Joshua Kimmich slotted in a penalty and Jamal Musial then added another with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his defenders not paying attention from a quickly-taken corner.

Tim Kleindienst made it 3-0 just before half-time, but Italy fought back with two goals from Moise Kean and then a stoppage-time penalty from Giacomo Raspadori.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal came through 5-2 after extra-time against Denmark in Lisbon.

Ronaldo saw his early penalty saved by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, but later scored his 136th international goal in the second half.

Christian Eriksen’s late goal – set up by Manchester United team-mate Patrick Dorgu – looked to be sending the Danes through, but Francisco Trincao struck with four minutes left to force extra-time and then added another early in the first period before substitute Goncalo Ramos wrapped things up.

In the June 4-8 Final Four in the German cities of Munich ahnd Stuttgart, the hosts will face Portugal in the semis while Spain meet France in a rematch of their Euro 2024 semis.

Germany are in the finals for the first time while Portugal in 2019, France in 2021 and Spain in 2023 are the three champions in the event.

In the second leg of the play-offs, Greece secured promotion to League A after an impressive 3-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Belgium avoided dropping out of the League A after they beat Ukraine 3-0 in Genk with a late double from Romelu Lukaku, having lost the first leg 3-1.

Turkey were promoted to League A after a 3-0 win in Hungary completed a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Serbia maintained their place in the top tier on the back of a 2-0 win over 10-man Austria in Belgrade, closing out a 3-1 aggregate victory, while Ireland preserved their League B status by completing a 4-2 aggregate win over Bulgaria.

Photo: UEFA/Facebook