Germany edge past Italy to join Portugal in Nations League semifinals

Portugal and Germany secured dramatic aggregate victories on Sunday, booking their places in the UEFA Nations League semifinals. The two sides will now face off in a thrilling encounter, with both teams emerging victorious after nerve-wracking quarterfinal ties.

In Lisbon, Portugal overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to defeat Denmark 5-2 in the second leg, securing a 5-3 aggregate win. Francisco Trincao was the hero for the hosts, coming off the bench to score twice in extra time, sealing the victory in dramatic fashion.

Portugal's challenge began early, with Denmark's defensive mainstay Joakim Maehle absent for personal reasons, and his replacement, Patrick Dorgu, giving away a penalty just three minutes into the match by fouling Cristiano Ronaldo. However, Kasper Schmeichel saved Ronaldo's spot-kick, keeping the score level.

Portugal pushed forward, with Ronaldo narrowly missing a header before the breakthrough came in the 38th minute — albeit through Denmark's own Joachim Andersen, who scored an own goal under pressure from Ronaldo's corner. Denmark responded strongly, with Rasmus Kristensen heading in an equaliser early in the second half, only for Ronaldo to regain the lead with a brilliant tight-angle finish.

Christian Eriksen's strike in the 76th minute put Denmark back in front on aggregate, but Trincao's late intervention brought the tie to extra time, with the winger scoring in the 86th minute. In the 91st minute, Trincao added another exquisite finish, and Goncalo Ramos sealed the win with a late goal. Ronaldo, subbed off before extra time, cheered from the sidelines, rallying the home fans.

"We knew how to suffer, how to be a family," Trincao said after the match. "Cristiano motivates us and the fans — today it was me, tomorrow it'll be someone else. We're all ready."

Meanwhile, in Munich, Germany survived a second-half scare to edge past Italy 5-4 on aggregate, drawing 3-3 in the second leg. Germany dominated the first half, with a brilliant attacking display that saw them take a 3-0 lead by halftime. Joshua Kimmich converted a penalty, before assisting Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst for two more goals. A quick-thinking ballboy helped set up the second goal, delivering the ball quickly for Kimmich's fast corner that caught Italy off guard.

Italy, however, mounted a fierce comeback in the second half. Moise Kean scored twice, and Giacomo Raspadori converted a stoppage-time penalty to level the second leg. Despite the three-second half goals, Germany held on for a narrow 5-4 aggregate win.

"It was our best first half in years," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. "But we have to learn to manage games better. The second half showed how fragile leads can be."