So penalties would be needed to determine the final two sides that would progress to the semi-finals.
In Spain, Dutch forward Noa Lang and Yamal both missed in the shootout before Spanish keeper Unai Simon kept out Donyell Malen’s effort to allow Pedri to clinch a last-four spot for the 2023 winners.
The Netherlands don’t seem to have much luck in penalty shootouts, as their manager Ronald Koeman even alluded to afterwards.
“I think that both teams should have gone through but that’s impossible,” he said. “In part fortune decided that Spain won.”
In France, home goalkeeper Mike Maignan was the hero as he saved two spot kicks, although misses by Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez had taken matters to sudden death. Dayot Upamecano sealed their progression after Maignan had kept out Josip Stanisic’s effort.
“We were convinced we were going to do it, we needed a game like this to get our fans back with us,” concluded Mbappe.
So, yes, ultimately it was France, Germany, Portugal and Spain – the teams many perhaps expected – who went through, but the drama and excitement of how they did it was what made Sunday a special night in the Nations League.
