UEFA Nations League roundup: Portugal battle past Denmark, Germany hold off Italy fightback

Portugal, inspired by substitute Francisco Trincao, edged out Denmark 5-3 on aggregate to reach the UEFA Nations League semifinals on Sunday, winning a thrilling second leg 5-2 after extra time.

Holders Spain beat the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic clash in Valencia finished 3-3 on Sunday to set up a last-four clash with France, who edged Croatia in a shoot-out after a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed an early penalty but later scored a crucial goal, turning the ball in after Kasper Schmeichel tipped Bruno Fernandes' shot against the post. But Portugal were caught out in the 76th minute when Christian Eriksen tapped home.

The hosts managed to force an added half-hour when Schmeichel's weak punch fell to Mendes, who teed up Trincao to drill a shot into the bottom corner. Trincao netted his second in the first minute of extra time and Goncalo Ramos scored the fifth goal, helping Portugal secure the UEFA Nations League semifinal meeting with Germany in Munich on June 4.

Julian Nagelsmann's Germans survived an Italy comeback to win 5-4 on aggregate after a 3-3 draw in Dortmund. Germany extended their overall advantage on the half-hour mark when Joshua Kimmich tucked home a spot-kick before playing a key role in a bizarre second goal.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma left his goal after making a save to complain at the referee and Kimmich took a quickly-taken corner which was flicked into an empty net by Jamal Musiala.

Tim Kleindienst nodded in Kimmich's clipped cross on the stroke of half-time, but Moise Kean scored twice to give Italy a glimmer of hope heading into the last 20 minutes. Giacomo Raspadori converted a penalty in injury time to equalise on the night, but there was not long enough left for the Azzurri.

On a dramatic night, European champions Spain took the lead in the tie, after Thursday's 2-2 first-leg draw, when Mikel Oyarzabal picked himself up after being fouled in the box to slot home an early penalty.

The Netherlands equalised nine minutes into the second half as Memphis Depay also won and then netted a spot-kick. Oyarzabal grabbed his second in the 67th minute after a strong run forward by Nico Williams, only for the Dutch to level again with 11 minutes remaining through Ian Maatsen's fierce strike.

Lamine Yamal struck shortly before the interval in extra time, though, curling the ball into the far corner after a couple of superb touches. There was yet another twist as Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon brought down Xavi Simons, who picked himself up to score.

Spain edged home 5-4 in the shoot-out despite a miss from Yamal, as Simon saved from Netherlands winger Donyell Malen and Pedri struck the winning penalty.

"We're Spain and we don't have to fear anyone," Pedri told TVE of facing 2021 Nations League winners France in the semifinals in Stuttgart on June 5.

France wiped out a two-goal deficit against Croatia at the Stade de France. Michael Olise's brilliant free-kick broke the deadlock on the night in the 52nd minute, before Ousmane Dembele swept Olise's cutback into the bottom corner to send the quarter-final to extra time.

Theo Hernandez missed a penalty to win it for France in an eventful shoot-out, but Dayot Upamecano eventually secured a 5-4 success on penalties in sudden death.