The all-time match has been completed.
The second leg of the European Nations League quarterfinals in the 2024-2025 season was completed on the 24th (Korea time). As a result, a semifinal match table was made for soccer fans such as Germany-Portugal and Spain-France. The semifinals of the Nations League will be held in June.
It was a dramatic quarterfinal. As many as 21 goals have been scored in four games. First, Spain crossed the Netherlands after a penalty shootout. Spain lost 3-3 in the second quarterfinal match against the Netherlands at Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia, Spain on the 24th. The two teams, which tied 2-2 in the first round, eventually decided after a penalty shootout. Spain won 5–4, securing a ticket to the semifinals. 'Defending champion'Spain tries to win its second consecutive championship. Spain is aiming to win a major tournament consecutively following Euro 2024.
If Spain ran away first, the Netherlands continued to catch up. In the 8th minute of the first half, when Spain took the lead with a penalty kick from Mikel Oyarsabal, the Netherlands responded with a penalty kick from Memphis Depay in the 9th minute of the second half. In the 22nd minute of the second half, Spain took the lead again with Oyarsabal's header in a counterattack. Then, Ian Mattsen of the Netherlands equalized again with a powerful left-footed shot from the left penalty area.
The game between the two teams went to extra time. In the 13th minute of the first half of extra time, Lamine Yamal broke the right defensive line and penetrated and opened the scoring with his left foot, and Spain seemed to have won the game. However, in the fourth minute of the second half of extra time, Dutch Xavi Simmons won a penalty kick from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simone and eventually entered the penalty shootout.
Noah Lang and Yamal of both teams missed the penalty shootout, which began with the Dutch team's victory, and the game was decided in the sixth kicker. Spain became the main player of the ticket to the semifinals as Spain goalkeeper Simone saved Doniel Malan's shot and Pedri succeeded.
'Tank Corps' Germany defeated Italy at Zignal Iduna Park in Dortmund and advanced to the semifinals. It was a 3-3 draw. Germany, which came from behind to win 2-1 in the first leg, surpassed Italy with a combined score of 5-4. Germany succeeded in advancing to the semifinals for the first time since the launch of the Nations League.
Germany scored three goals in the first half alone with Jozua Kimmich's one-man show of one goal and two assists. Kimihi opened with a penalty kick in the 30th minute of the first half, and Jamal Musiala scored an additional goal in a corner six minutes later. In the 45th minute, Tim Kleindinst pushed Kimihi's cross into the header to win the game.
But Italy's potential was great. It changed the mood in the second half. Italy, which recovered one goal in the fourth minute of the second half, took advantage of the German defense's mistake, scored once again in the 24th minute by Moses Keane, who received Giacomo Raspadori's pass. Just before the end, Raspadori made a penalty kick and brought the game to square one. On a combined score of 5-4, Italy went on the offensive, but there were no more goals.
France joined the semi-finals after beating Croatia in a penalty shootout at home in Stade de France in Saint-Denis. France, which lost 0-2 on the road in the first leg, showed their potential to make it 2-0 in the second leg. They defeated Croatia 5-4 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
France eased their chase with Michael Olise's picturesque free kick in the seventh minute of the second half. He scored his second goal in the 35th minute. Olise broke through the right flank, exchanging passes with Kylian Mbappe, and Ousmane Dembele finished off Olise's cutback. The game went to extra time, and no additional points were scored in extra time.
The penalty shootout was also fierce. The two teams succeeded in each of the three by the fifth kicker. The game was decided at the seventh kicker. Croatia's Josip Stanisic missed, while France's Dayo Upamecano made a clean break to seal France's advance to the semifinals.
Portugal turned the tables at home. Portugal, which lost 0-1 on the road in the first leg, scored as many as five goals in the second leg at home. They reached the semifinals with a 5-2 victory.
Portugal scored first with an opposing own goal in the 38th minute of the first half, balancing the score 1-1 on aggregate. A tight game continued in the second half. Portugal, which lost to Rasmus Christensen in the 11th minute of the second half, regained its balance with Cristiano Ronaldo's right footed shot in the 27th minute. Christian Eriksen scored another goal in the 31st minute, but Francisco Trincão scored in the 41st minute to make it 3-3 on aggregate to lead the game into extra time.
The game was decided in overtime. Portugal completed a thrilling upset thanks to Trincão's winning shot shortly after the start of extra time and Gonzalo Hamus' net shot in the 10th minute of extra time.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
