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France beat Croatia on penalties to reach Nations League semifinals

SAINT-DENIS, France: Goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved twice in the shoot-out as France beat Croatia 5-4 on penalties on Sunday after their UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie had ended 2-2 on aggregate, sealing a place in the last four in June. Les Bleus won 2-0 on the night with goals in normal time by Michael Olize and Ousmane Dembele at the Stade de France to wipe out their deficit from Thursday’s first leg. With no further scoring in extra time the tie went to penalties, where Maignan saved from both Martin Baturina and Josip Stanisic, while Franjo Ivanovic also missed for the visitors. Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez both failed to convert for the hosts, but Dayot Upamecano scored when he became the seventh France player to step up, sparking scenes of celebrations on the pitch and in the crowd of 77,502. “We woke up thinking it could be a great night. We were convinced we were going to do something great,” captain Kylian Mbappe told broadcaster TF1. “And we know when it comes to penalties that we have a goalkeeper who can make the difference.” France, who won the Nations League in 2021, will now take on title-holders Spain in the semifinals in Stuttgart in Germany on June 5, with the winners advancing to the final in Munich three days later. Germany will face Portugal in Munich in the other last-four tie. “Getting to the final is an objective,” Mbappe added.

Maignan the main man as France prevail on penalties

PARIS : France produced a great attacking performance to overturn a two-goal deficit against Croatia and level their Nations League tie on Sunday but it was keeper Mike Maignan who stole the spotlight with his penalty heroics in a 5-4 shootout victory.

Spain oust Netherlands on penalties to reach Nations League semis

VALENCIA, Spain: Nations League holders Spain reached the final four with a 5-4 win on penalties against the Netherlands, after a thrilling 3-3 quarter-final second leg draw on Sunday (5-5 on aggregate). Donyell Malen missed and Barcelona’s Pedri slotted home to settle a gripping match in which the Netherlands came from behind three times to force the shoot-out. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain but Memphis Depay levelled from the penalty spot. Oyarzabal grabbed Spain’s second before Ian Maatsen rifled home to force extra-time. Barcelona starlet Yamal, who also missed a penalty in the shoot-out, scored a brilliant goal to put Spain ahead but Xavi Simons netted another spot-kick to force penalties. After Spain’s struggles in Rotterdam on Thursday in the 2-2 first-leg draw, coach Luis de la Fuente made a handful of changes. Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo came in for Alvaro Morata and Pedri, while Dean Huijsen made his first start, against the country of his birth, and excelled. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman brought in debutant Maatsen at left-back, giving him the unenviable challenge of shackling 17-year-old prodigy Yamal at Valencia’s sold-out Mestalla stadium. Spain’s success in recent years has inspired their supporters and over 20,000 watched them train ahead of the second leg, which also served as a fundraiser for damage caused by the devastating storms which hit the Valencia region last October. They won a penalty early on when Jan Paul van Hecke clumsily brought down Oyarzabal, who scored the winning goal for La Roja in the Euro 2024 final last summer. The Real Sociedad forward took it himself, smashing into the bottom right corner, past Bart Verbruggen’s dive. Oyarzabal beat the Brighton goalkeeper again a

Filipino wildcard stuns Keys in Miami, Dimitrov into last 16

Australian Open champion Madison Keys was dumped out of the Miami Open third round on Sunday, falling 6-4 6-2 to Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala, while 2024 finalist Grigor Dimitrov beat Karen Khachanov to reach the fourth round.

Spain edge Netherlands in penalty shootout to reach Nations League semis

VALENCIA, Spain : Spain claimed a 5-4 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands at home on Sunday to reach the Nations League semi-finals after the second leg of their thrilling contest ended 3-3 to leave the tie level 5-5 on aggregate.

Germany survive Italy scare to make Nations League semifinals

DORTMUND, Germany: Germany survived a spirited second-half fightback from Italy, letting a three-goal lead slip to draw 3-3 in Dortmund on Sunday, before reaching the Nations League semifinals 5-4 on aggregate. A first-half Joshua Kimmich masterclass, with a penalty and two assists for Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst, had Germany 3-0 up and cruising at the break. However, injury-hit Italy kicked into gear in the second half, Moise Kean scoring a double to rattle the hosts. Italy looked on course to level the scores when they were awarded a penalty with 73 minutes gone, but it was overturned by VAR. Giacomo Raspadori then converted a stoppage time penalty to give Italy a glimmer of hope. The result not only secured Germany a first-ever Nations League semifinal spot, but it means the remainder of the tournament will be held on German soil, in Stuttgart and Munich in June. Despite the second-half scare, the victory continues Germany’s resurgence under Julian Nagelsmann. Germany’s only loss in their past 17 matches came in extra-time at Euro 2024 against eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals. Nagelsmann said Germany “learned lessons for our development” from the game, adding “we know how well we can play football — but we have to show it throughout the game. “I’m going home with an understanding of what we’re capable of, but it’s also nice that we’ve got a bit more to do,” he said. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti admitted his side lacked “maturity” and said “you always learn from games like this.” “The second half was very good, but we were too afraid to play like that for the whole game.” Italy traveled to Dortmund, the site of their 2006 World Cup semifinal win over the same opponents, with a mountain to climb. A

France see off Croatia on penalties to reach Final Four

PARIS : France overturned a two-goal deficit to qualify for the Nations League Final Four by eliminating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final second leg at the Stade de France on Sunday.

Real Madrid Stun Barcelona In Women's Clasico, VAR Controversy Mars Historic First Win

Real Madrid's women's team earned their first ever victory over Liga F champions Barcelona with a shock 3-1 away triumph on Sunday at the Olympic stadium. Pere Romeu's Barcelona remain top of the table, four points ahead of second place Madrid after losing their second league match this season under rain and hail before a crowd of nearly 36,000 fans. Barcelona have won the Spanish top flight five years running and last season lifted the quadruple.

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Spain Sport News

France beat Croatia on penalties to reach Nations League semifinals

Maignan the main man as France prevail on penalties

Spain oust Netherlands on penalties to reach Nations League semis

Filipino wildcard stuns Keys in Miami, Dimitrov into last 16

Spain edge Netherlands in penalty shootout to reach Nations League semis

Germany survive Italy scare to make Nations League semifinals

France see off Croatia on penalties to reach Final Four

Real Madrid Stun Barcelona In Women's Clasico, VAR Controversy Mars Historic First Win