Spain and France triumph in nerve -wracking penalty shooting!

Spain and France triumph in nerve -wracking penalty shooting!

On March 24, 2025, exciting games took place in the UEFA Nations League, in which both Spain and France prevailed in penalty shootout. Spain defeated the Netherlands 4: 3 after the game ended 3: 3 in both regular times and in extra time. An early penalty for Spain, caused by a foul by Van Hecke on Oyarzabal in the 8th minute, brought the first lead for the Spaniards.

yamal tried to support Oyarzabal again in the first half, but it was offside. The Netherlands found the game back after an average of the first half and received a penalty in the 54th minute that Depay converted after a foul by Le Normand. In the 67th minute, Oyarzabal managed to bring Spain again, only to be equalized by Maatsen in the 79th minute shortly afterwards.

intensive extension and penalty shootout

The decision was made in the extension when Yamal hit in the 103rd minute before Xavi equalized for the Netherlands in the 109th minute. In the exciting added time of the extension, Malen missed a great chance for the Netherlands, which ultimately led to penalty shootout. Spain and the Netherlands had their chances, but long and paint failed on the Dutch side, while Yamal hit Spain. The remaining shooters for both teams converted their penalty, and ultimately Spain won 4: 3.

in a match taking place in parallel, France also prevailed in penalty shootout. Against Croatia, which initially led 2-0, Olise managed to equalize in the 52nd minute. Dembélé took care of Franco's leadership in the 80th minute. After a goalless extension, the game went into the penalty shootout, where Croatia had difficulties - Baturina, Ivanovic and Stanisic awarded their penalty. Koundé and Hernandez failed on the French side, but Upamecano converted the decisive penalty and secured France the 5: 4 victory.

The development of the UEFA Nations League

The UEFA Nations League, whose format has existed since 2014, was introduced to offer national associations more attractive competition and generate additional income. The idea behind the tournament was that the “less glamorous” associations also get opportunities for games. National teams are divided into leagues, based on their performance, and the winners of the leagues fight for the title in special finals.

The last adjustments made led to 16 teams in the higher leagues and other important changes in the structure took place. This increases the commercial value and the audience attractiveness of the competition enormously. The UEFA plans to continue to link the Nations League with the qualification games to the European Championship and the FIFA World Cup, which will lead to a strengthening of the tournament.

During the tournament, the national teams are still required to do their best in order to qualify for the upcoming challenges in international competitions, such as the future UEFA Euro 2024.