Spain 3-3 Netherlands result - European champions win penalty shoot-out to reach Nations League semi-finals

Holders Spain are into the last four of the UEFA Nations League, but they were pushed to the limits by Netherlands at the Mestalla.

With the tie finely poised at 2-2 on aggregate going into the second leg, the neutral was treated to a serious spectacle that served up six goals in a high-octane 3-3 draw before a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The game consisted of three spot-kicks, and Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring just six minutes into the contest after he had been felled by Jan-Paul van Hecke.

Memphis Depay levelled from the spot after Robin Le Normand hauled him to the turf under a high ball, but Oyarzabal doubled his tally on 67 minutes, nodding home the rebound after Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had kept out his initial chipped effort.

Ian Maatsen, a late call-up from the Under-21 squad, scored on his international debut with a superb arrowed effort into the top corner after he had ghosted into the Spanish penalty area from left-back, and it was his strike that forced an extra half-hour.

Lamine Yamal sparked the encounter back into life with a sensational strike that almost ripped a hole in the Mestalla net, assisted by a glorious pick-out from Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, who had been given his first start by Luis de la Fuente.

However, Netherlands, Spain's opponents in the 2010 World Cup final, refused to give in, as substitute Xavi Simons was felled by Unai Simon as he raced through on goal, and the RB Leipzig forward dusted himself down to slot home his spot-kick and send the game to penalties.

The first six were near-spotless - Virgil van Dijk and Teun Koopmeiners could consider themselves fortunate after Simon got a glove to their strikes - before Noa Lang had the misfortune of cracking the crossbar with his effort from 12 yards.

However, he was immediately reprieved by his goalkeeper Verbruggen, who saved from Yamal.

It was another Dutch substitute - Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen - who missed the crucial kick, seeing his effort saved by Simon before Pedri slotted home the winner.

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Spain are into the semi-finals, and they've edged out the Netherlands after a marathon quarter-final! It ends 3-3 on the night, and 5-4 on penalties. What a tie! Thanks for joining us, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE international action.,

Pedri with the responsibility to fire his country into the last four. Here he comes, and he's done it!

Donyell Malen now for the Dutch. He steps up, but Simon keeps him out!

Alex Baena has to score for the hosts... and he hammers it home! Time for sudden death.

Kenneth Taylor steps up, and converts confidently.

Yamal... no! It's a tame effort, and Verbruggen reprieves Lang!

No for Noa! Lang steps up for the visitors, and crashes the crossbar!

Aleix Garcia is up, and he scores - just!

Xavi Simons is next, and gets it right in the corner via a stutter!

Ferran Torres steps up, and converts with aplomb.

Here comes Teun Koopmeiners... and he screws his penalty, left-footed, into the far corner!

Mikel Merino is first for the hosts, and he tucks it away.

Virgil van Dijk is up first, and he puts it away with confidence.

We're going to penalties in Valencia...

Simon produces the goods right at the death as Malen crafts out an effort, that is well saved by the Spanish shot-stopper.

Nico Williams is coming off, replaced by Alex Baena.

Koopmeiners replaces Reijnders.

Simons scores, and we're level once more! Simon got close, but couldn't keep it out. Could we be heading to penalties?