Portugal booked their UEFA Nations League semifinal ticket to face Germany on June 4 later this year amid Cristiano Ronaldo’s early penalty miss. Selecao das Quinas grabbed their place in the next stage after eliminating Denmark with a thrilling 5-2 second-leg win.
Portugal Beat Denmark to Book a Ticket Against Germany
Losing the first leg 1-0, Roberto Martinez’s side immediately took the attacking initiative and could’ve gone ahead after just six minutes after earning a spot kick. Unfortunately, their megastar, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert the penalty kick.
Portugal eventually went ahead in that game, thanks to Joachim Andersen’s own goal in the 38th minute. Denmark were not lying down without a fight though as they drew level through Rasmus Kristensen’s header on 56 minutes.
The home team got back in front on 72 minutes as Ronaldo finally got his goal, this time with a simple close-range finish. However, the visitor bounced back again as Christian Eriksen scored a tap-in four minutes later.
Martinez’s men managed to force the game into extra time as they netted the all-important third goal through Francisco Trincao’s effort just before the final 90 minutes. The Sporting CP winger was the hero again for Portugal as he put them ahead on aggregate with another goal at the start of extra time.
The Selecao das Quinas eventually secured their place in the semifinal after Goncalo Ramos finished off Diogo Jota’s assist in 115 minutes. Not much fight left from Denmark afterwards as it’s difficult to turn a two-goal aggregate deficit with not much time left.
Germany, Spain, and France Also Book Semifinal Tickets
In other matches, the Nation League finals host, Germany also made their way into the semifinal despite only drawing 3-3 against Italy. Leading 2-1 in the first leg, Die Mannschaft blew a comfortable 3-0 lead in the first half but managed to hold their aggregate lead despite the Azzurri’s strong effort.
Meanwhile other two quarter-finals had to go into penalties which eventually saw Spain eliminating the Netherlands from the toss-up while Frace took down Croatia. Both La Furia Roja and Les Blues will be battling each other in the other Nations League semifinal round.
UEFA Nations League Quarter Finals Full Result
Spain 3-3 Netherlands AET (agg 5-5 pen: 5-4); France 2-0 Croatia (agg 2-2 pen:5-4); Portugal 5-2 Denmark AET (agg 5-3); Germany 3-3 Italy (agg 5-4)
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