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
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:
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.
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!
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:
Spain edge past Netherlands on penalties following six-goal thriller
FULL-TIME! Spain 3-3 Netherlands (5-4 penalties)
The highs and lows of winning on penalties...
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.)
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!
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!
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.
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