Spain edged past the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 5-4 after a thrilling 5-5 aggregate draw in their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the Mestalla.
The victory extends Spain’s unbeaten run to 18 matches and sets up a semi-final showdown with France.
The match started with early drama as Spain earned a penalty in the sixth minute when Jan Paul van Hecke fouled Mikel Oyarzabal. The forward calmly converted, placing his shot into the bottom-right corner beyond the reach of Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
Oyarzabal nearly doubled Spain’s lead soon after, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
The Netherlands found their footing and equalized early in the second half when Memphis Depay marked his 100th cap with a confident penalty, blasting the ball into the top-left corner after Robin Le Normand fouled him in the box.
Spain regained the lead in the 67th minute when Oyarzabal headed home a rebound following a brilliant Verbruggen save. However, the Dutch hit back in the 78th minute through Ian Maatsen, who fired a stunning strike into the far corner after receiving a pass from Xavi Simons.
With the match level at 2-2 on the night and 5-5 on aggregate, extra time followed. Spain struck again in the 103rd minute, as 16-year-old Lamine Yamal showcased his brilliance, weaving past his marker before unleashing a superb shot into the far-left corner. But the Netherlands refused to give in and won another penalty in the 116th minute when Simons was brought down in the box. He converted from the spot, forcing a penalty shootout.
In the tense shootout, Noa Lang hit the woodwork for the Netherlands, while Yamal had his effort saved. The decisive moment came when Donyell Malen missed the first sudden-death penalty, allowing Pedri to fire Spain into the semi-finals with a powerful shot into the top-right corner.
With this win, Spain advances to face France, while the Netherlands suffer yet another heartbreaking defeat on penalties.
