Defending champion Spain and France have needed penalty shootouts to reach the Nations League semifinals and join Germany and Portugal.

Spain and France edged past the Netherlands and Croatia in dramatic penalty shoot-outs, while Portugal battled past Denmark in extra time and Germany survived an Italy comeback to secure their spots in the Nations League semi-finals.

Defending a 2-1 lead from the first leg at the San Siro, Germany looked in control after captain Joshua Kimmich slotted in a penalty and Jamal Musial then added another with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and his defenders not paying attention from a quickly-taken corner.