Portugal Overcome Denmark, Germany Resist Italy's Comeback Efforts
Portugal, driven by the impact of substitute Francisco Trincao, narrowly defeated Denmark with a 5-3 aggregate score to advance to the UEFA Nations League semifinals on Sunday, clinching a dramatic second leg victory 5-2 after extra time. Defending...
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Portugal, driven by the impact of substitute Francisco Trincao, narrowly defeated Denmark with a 5-3 aggregate score to advance to the UEFA Nations League semifinals on Sunday, clinching a dramatic second leg victory 5-2 after extra time.
Defending champions Spain triumphed over the Netherlands in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw in Valencia, setting up a semifinal encounter with France, who edged Croatia in a shootout after the teams ended with a 2-2 aggregate tie.
Cristiano Ronaldo initially failed to convert a penalty but later made a significant contribution by scoring a vital goal, tapping in after Kasper Schmeichel deflected Bruno Fernandes' shot onto the post. However, Portugal was caught off guard in the 76th minute when Christian Eriksen scored with a close-range finish.
As the match approached extra time, the hosts equalized when Schmeichel's weak punch fell to Mendes, who assisted Trincao to score with a precise shot into the bottom corner. Trincao followed up with another goal just one minute into extra time, and Goncalo Ramos added a fifth for Portugal, securing a UEFA Nations League semifinal matchup with Germany in Munich on June 4.
Germany, under Julian Nagelsmann, withstood a comeback from Italy to win 5-4 on aggregate following a 3-3 draw in Dortmund. Germany extended their lead at the half-hour mark when Joshua Kimmich converted a penalty and played a pivotal role in a quirky second goal.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma ventured from his goal after a save to argue with the referee, allowing Kimmich to take a quick corner that Jamal Musiala flicked into an unguarded net. Tim Kleindienst added a goal with a header from Kimmich's cross just before halftime, but Moise Kean scored twice to give Italy a ray of hope as the match approached the final 20 minutes. Giacomo Raspadori equalized with a penalty in injury time, but the Azzurri ran out of time.
In another thrilling contest, European champions Spain took an early lead in their tie after a 2-2 first-leg draw when Mikel Oyarzabal, having been fouled in the box, successfully converted a penalty. The Netherlands equalized shortly into the second half as Memphis Depay won and scored his own penalty.
Oyarzabal scored again in the 67th minute following a determined run from Nico Williams, but the Dutch equalized yet again with 11 minutes remaining through Ian Maatsen's powerful strike. Lamine Yamal found the net just before the end of the first half of extra time with a curling shot into the far corner after two excellent touches. Another twist followed when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon fouled Xavi Simons, who then converted the resulting penalty.
In a tense penalty shootout, Spain ultimately triumphed 5-4 despite a miss from Yamal, thanks to Simon's save from Netherlands player Donyell Malen and Pedri’s successful penalty kick securing the win.
"We're Spain and we don't have to fear anyone," Pedri declared to TVE regarding their upcoming matchup against 2021 Nations League champions France in the semifinals in Stuttgart on June 5.
France managed to erase a two-goal deficit against Croatia at Stade de France. Michael Olise's exquisite free-kick opened the scoring for the night in the 52nd minute, and Ousmane Dembele netted from Olise's cutback, pushing the quarter-final into extra time.
Theo Hernandez missed a penalty that could have clinched the game for France during a thrilling shootout, but Dayot Upamecano ultimately secured a 5-4 victory on penalties during sudden death.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
Defending champions Spain triumphed over the Netherlands in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 3-3 draw in Valencia, setting up a semifinal encounter with France, who edged Croatia in a shootout after the teams ended with a 2-2 aggregate tie.
Cristiano Ronaldo initially failed to convert a penalty but later made a significant contribution by scoring a vital goal, tapping in after Kasper Schmeichel deflected Bruno Fernandes' shot onto the post. However, Portugal was caught off guard in the 76th minute when Christian Eriksen scored with a close-range finish.
As the match approached extra time, the hosts equalized when Schmeichel's weak punch fell to Mendes, who assisted Trincao to score with a precise shot into the bottom corner. Trincao followed up with another goal just one minute into extra time, and Goncalo Ramos added a fifth for Portugal, securing a UEFA Nations League semifinal matchup with Germany in Munich on June 4.
Germany, under Julian Nagelsmann, withstood a comeback from Italy to win 5-4 on aggregate following a 3-3 draw in Dortmund. Germany extended their lead at the half-hour mark when Joshua Kimmich converted a penalty and played a pivotal role in a quirky second goal.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma ventured from his goal after a save to argue with the referee, allowing Kimmich to take a quick corner that Jamal Musiala flicked into an unguarded net. Tim Kleindienst added a goal with a header from Kimmich's cross just before halftime, but Moise Kean scored twice to give Italy a ray of hope as the match approached the final 20 minutes. Giacomo Raspadori equalized with a penalty in injury time, but the Azzurri ran out of time.
In another thrilling contest, European champions Spain took an early lead in their tie after a 2-2 first-leg draw when Mikel Oyarzabal, having been fouled in the box, successfully converted a penalty. The Netherlands equalized shortly into the second half as Memphis Depay won and scored his own penalty.
Oyarzabal scored again in the 67th minute following a determined run from Nico Williams, but the Dutch equalized yet again with 11 minutes remaining through Ian Maatsen's powerful strike. Lamine Yamal found the net just before the end of the first half of extra time with a curling shot into the far corner after two excellent touches. Another twist followed when Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon fouled Xavi Simons, who then converted the resulting penalty.
In a tense penalty shootout, Spain ultimately triumphed 5-4 despite a miss from Yamal, thanks to Simon's save from Netherlands player Donyell Malen and Pedri’s successful penalty kick securing the win.
"We're Spain and we don't have to fear anyone," Pedri declared to TVE regarding their upcoming matchup against 2021 Nations League champions France in the semifinals in Stuttgart on June 5.
France managed to erase a two-goal deficit against Croatia at Stade de France. Michael Olise's exquisite free-kick opened the scoring for the night in the 52nd minute, and Ousmane Dembele netted from Olise's cutback, pushing the quarter-final into extra time.
Theo Hernandez missed a penalty that could have clinched the game for France during a thrilling shootout, but Dayot Upamecano ultimately secured a 5-4 victory on penalties during sudden death.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
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