Nations League holders Spain needed a stop-time equalizer from Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino to draw 2-2 against 10-man Netherlands.
Replacement Merino, who filled in as an improvised striker for the Gunners, showed his eye again for the goal of steering in a level in extra time of an entertaining game in Rotterdam.
The Dutch had fought back after they had gone in the ninth minute with goals from Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders, but ended with 10 men after teen defender Jorrel Hato was sent for eight minutes from time for a studs-up challenge.
Let drama in Rotterdam 🤯#Nationsleague pic.twitter.com/2igg27okwd
– UEFA Euro (@Uefaeururo) March 20, 2025
Spain, who had not lost in their previous 21 competitive internationals, opened the score via Nico Williams after a fast start of the game.
Elsewhere, the Ante Budimir of Croatia and Ivan Perisic made a deserved 2-0 win over France in their quarterfinals of the Nations League, first stage as the return of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele did not succeed in leaving visitors fire.
Croatia also missed an early penalty when Andrej Kramaric’s spot kick was saved by France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and the 2023 second was full value for a victory that could easily be reached with a larger margin.
France created opportunities and tested Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic several times, but it was an Under-PAR version One night that had promised a lot with the return of Mbappe in particular after he had been the last four luminaires on his side.
Germany wins; Portual
Germany came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 in the San Siro, with Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka who led the winning goal for 14 minutes from the time.
Italy went on when Nicolo Barella played a pass in the box for Matteo Politano who pulled the ball back to Moise Kean and the ball fell to Newcastle -Man Sandro Tonali who drove his shot in the corner.
Germany equalized four minutes in the second half when Joshua Kimmich Dreef in the box and unmarked replacement Tim Kleindienst stood up to drive a header past Gigi Donnarummma with his first touch.
The winner came from Kimmich who seemed to have gone on the net without touch, but Goretzka got the least headers to the ball before beating Donnarumma.
Manchester United Spits Rasmus Hojlund came from the bank to get the winner when Denmark defeated Portugal 1-0.
