Spain has arrived the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League after a nervy penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands, which came over two legs after a 5-5 aggregated score.
In the first stage on Thursday in Rotterdam, Spain found the opening goal within the opening for 10 minutes, and they did that again in the Mestalla. On this occasion, Mikel Oyarzabal was polluted in the penalty area by Jean Paul van Hecke, and that enabled the real Sociedad captain to step and score from 12 Yards.
La Roja would hold their lead to the break, but they were fed back for 54 minutes. Robin Le Normand was assessed to have polluted Memphis in the Penalty area of Spain, and that gave the opportunity for the former striker of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to score what he managed to do.
15 minutes later Spain would be in front, and it was Oyarzabal that scored again after he was set up in the construction of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the counterattack, which ended in the 27-year-old on the way home after his first effort was saved.
La Roja, however, could not hold their place in the semi-final of the Nations League when the Dutch found a different equalizer, with defender Ian Maatsen who shot past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon from the penalty area to repair parity on the night and aggregated.
That goal meant that extra time was needed in the Mestalla, and in the first half of the extra 30 minutes Spain thought they scored the winning goal in the draw, and it was a special from Barcelona -wing player Lamine Yamal. It was a beautiful pass over the top of Dean Huijsen, and the 17-year-old checked brilliant before he shot in the far corner. But again, they were withdrawn into a stalemate when Xavi Simons yielded a fine to bring the 3-3 of it.
That meant that punishments were needed, and it was Unai Simon that at the end came up a link to save Donyell Malen's efforts. That gave Pedri the chance to secure the victory for Spain, and he did, with La Roja who won 5-4 in the shoot-out. And it means that they will record France in the semi -final this summer, for a possible final against Portugal or Germany.
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