Spain vs Netherlands LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as Spain win on penalties

Spain 3-3 Netherlands (agg. 5-5, Spain win 5-4 on penalties): Drama at the Mestalla as Spain overcame resilient Dutch in shootout

Pedri converted the winning penalty to send Spain through (Getty Images)

Spain edged past the Netherlands on penalties following a six-goal thriller to progress to the Nations League semi-final.

The hosts started well and took an early lead through Mikel Oyarzabal from the spot, only for the Dutch to level with their own penalty after the break - Memphis Depay this time firing high and central from the spot.

Oyarzabal then tucked away his second, finishing off a brilliant Spain counter attack, before Ian Maatsen pegged the hosts back once more to force the game into extra time.

Lamine Yamal looked to have put Spain on course to victory, but it was Xavi Simons who bagged the Netherlands's third equaliser of the night with another penalty, setting up a dramatic shootout finale.

Donyell Malen had his crucial spot-kick saved after misses from Noa Lang and Yamal for both teams as Spain booked their place in the last four.

Relive all the action and reaction from the Mestalla below:

Spain vs Netherlands LIVE

• FULL-TIME! Spain 3-3 Netherlands (Spain win 5-4 penalties)
• 109' GOAL! Simons equalises from the spot after being fouled [ESP 3-3 NED, agg. 5-5]
• 103' GOAL! Yamal puts Spain back in front in extra time [ESP 3-2 NED, agg. 5-4]
• 79' GOAL! Maatsen fires in to equalise again [ESP 2-2 NED, agg. 4-4]
• 67' GOAL! Oyarzabal bags a brace after brilliant counter [ESP 2-1 NED, agg. 4-3]
• 54' GOAL! Depay equalise from the penalty spot [ESP 1-1 NED, agg. 3-3]
• 11' DISALLOWED GOAL! Oyarazabal sees second chalked off for offside [ESP 1-0 NED, agg. 3-2]
• 8' GOAL! Oyarzabal gives La Roja the lead from the spot [ESP 1-0 NED, agg. 3-2]

[24 March 2025 00:00 · Chris Wilson]

World Cup Qualifying groups

This result means that Group E and Group G of the 2026 World Cup qualifying process have been formalised.

The Netherlands go into Group G along with Finland, Lithuania, Malta and Poland.

Spain move into Group E alongside Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey.

Both sides will have the first matches of their qualifying campaigns in September 2025.

[23 March 2025 23:45 · Chris Wilson]

Nations League semi-finals

This is what the semi-finals look like then. Two cracking match-ups:

Spain vs France in a repeat of the Euro 2024 semi-finals.

While we’ll get to see Germany vs Portugal in the other match, with all four sides fighting for a place in the final on 8 June.

Germany v Portugal will be played at the Allianz Arena while Spain's match with France will be at the MHPArena, home to Stuttgart.

The Allianz Arena will also host the final – a big year for the Munich stadium, which also hosts the Champions League final in May!

[23 March 2025 23:30 · Will Castle]

Spain edge past Netherlands on penalties as three Nations League quarter-finals go to extra time

Spain claimed a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands following a six-goal thriller on a remarkable quarter-final night for the Nations League.

Both sides missed their fourth penalties, but the decisive blow was landed in the sixth round when the Netherlands' Donyell Malen saw his attempt saved by Spain keeper Unai Simon, allowing Pedri to convert and secure the win.

The clash at the Mestalla was one of three Nations League ties to go to extra time as all four quarter-finals went to the wire.

The full wrap-up of tonight’s Nations League quarter-finals:

[23 March 2025 23:15 · Chris Wilson]

FULL-TIME! Spain 3-3 Netherlands (5-4 penalties)

The highs and lows of winning on penalties...

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[23 March 2025 23:00 · Chris Wilson]

Up next

Spain now progress into the semi-finals of the Nations League. They will face France in the semi-finals, which will be held in Germany after they beat Italy tonight.

The semi-finals take place across 4 and 5 June, before the final on 8 June.

Germany will play Portugal in the other semi-final.

Nations League quarter-final scores

Here’s a full rundown of the other quarter-final scores tonight.

Spain 3-3 Netherlands (5-4 pens)

Portugal 5-2 Denmark (5-3 agg.)

France 2-0 Croatia (5-4 pens)

Germany 3-3 Italy (5-4 agg.)

23 March 2025 22:39

[23 March 2025 22:32 · Chris Wilson]

FULL-TIME! Spain 3-3 Netherlands (5-4 penalties)

Well, what a game and what a tie overall!

Penalties were needed to separate the two sides but in truth, over the balance of the match, Spain deserved to go through.

The Netherlands were good value and played some quality stuff at times, but the hosts were the superior side tonight and take a deserved place in the last four.

They’ll face the winner of Croatia vs France, which itself is at penalties!

[23 March 2025 22:30 · Chris Wilson]

SPAIN WIN ON PENALTIES: Spain 5-4 Netherlands

GOAL! And Spain have won it!

Pedri steps up to take and he knocks it high, out of reach of Verbruggen, and Spain move into the semi-finals!

(Getty Images)

[23 March 2025 22:29 · Chris Wilson]

PENALTIES: Spain 4-4 Netherlands

MISS!

Malen steps up for his side’s sixth penalty – and Simon saves!

He guesses right and gets his hand low to keep it out.

[23 March 2025 22:28 · Chris Wilson]

PENALTIES: Spain 4-4 Netherlands

GOAL!

What a penalty that is! He goes across his body and right into the left-hand corner.