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VALENCIA, Spain: Defending Nations League champions Spain qualified for the semi-finals after winning 5-4 on penalties against the Netherlands, after the second quarter-final early this morning ended 3-3 and 5-5 on aggregate.

Donyell Malen missed a penalty and Barcelona’s Pedri converted the winning spot-kick in a thrilling encounter in which the Netherlands fought back three times to force a penalty shootout.

“Having extra time and penalties makes it even more epic, it’s a great match for the fans to watch,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.

Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring for Spain but Memphis Depay equalised from the penalty spot.

Oyarzabal then grabbed Spain’s second goal before Ian Maatsen fired a powerful shot to force extra time.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, who also missed the penalty, scored a brilliant goal to put Spain ahead but Xavi Simons converted another penalty to force a shootout.

“It’s really nice to wear this jersey and to be able to score the winning penalty,” Pedri told TVE, whose team faces France in the semi-finals.

“We are Spanish and we are not afraid of anyone,” said Pedri.

After Spain struggled in Rotterdam last week when they drew 2-2 in the first leg, De La Fuente made several changes.

Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo came on for Alvaro Morata and Pedri, while Dean Huijsen made his first start against his home country and impressed.

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool are facing a massive transfer window this summer even as the Premier League title moves closer to returning to Anfield.

The futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk – three key players out of contract this summer – are looming over Arne Slot’s debut campaign with Liverpool.

Apart from the three main pillars, European clubs are also targeting players in Liverpool’s starting lineup such as Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz.

As for the reserve players, among them goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez are looking to find a place in the starting lineup.

With star players like Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota lacking in brilliance, Slot needs to find quality replacements to maintain the team’s momentum next season.

Despite being eliminated from the Champions League and losing in the League Cup final, Slot’s first season can be considered a success if Liverpool can maintain their position at the top of the league and win the English Premier League this season.

Salah, one of the players who would be difficult to replace if the Egyptian star chose to join Inter Milan or travel to Saudi Arabia.

With 27 goals and 17 assists, Salah has been involved in 63.7 percent of Liverpool’s Premier League goals this season.

Salah is also third on the list of top scorers in the club’s history.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid, leaving a huge gap at Liverpool’s right-back position with a record 62 Premier League assists in his position.

Also difficult to replace is captain Van Dijk, who is wanted by Real Madrid and Saudi Arabian clubs. He is one of the best central defenders in England this decade.

LEICESTER, England: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he is starting to see improvement in his team after they won 3-0 at Leicester City in the English Premier League (EPL) early this morning.

United arrive at the King Power Stadium having collected the fewest wins and points after 28 matches of any of the club’s campaigns in the EPL.

Goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes, however, powered United to victory in the drizzle, securing a comfortable victory in a difficult campaign.

“I think their performances have improved and when you get performances and results, because results don’t necessarily come with performances, you feel better,” said Amorim.

“I started to see something different in the team, especially today. You could feel some players lacking energy but you felt the team could find a way to win the game when they were feeling a bit tired.

“It’s a good sign for this team.”

Goals for Danish striker Hojlund and Argentine winger Garnacho were much-welcomed before the match.

Hojlund had not scored in his last 22 matches in all competitions before his impressive first-half finish, with Garnacho having gone 24 games without a goal before his second-half strike.

“It’s really important to him (Hojlund),” Amorim said.

“He did the right thing, he helped the team, he won every ball and today he scored a very good goal, an important goal. He deserved it more than anyone else.

“He (Garnacho) is really happy but the most important thing is how he has improved his game. He is playing on both wings, not just on the left. He is coming back down, the little things he has done well.”

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot considered his team’s failure to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League a surprise, but the defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain came after a fierce battle that had to be decided on penalties.

PSG beat Liverpool 4-1 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals, winning the second leg of the last 16 with a 1-0 scoreline thanks to a goal from Ousmane Dembele.

“It was definitely a shock. But if you have to go out, and go out the way we did against one of the best teams in Europe and put up a great fight, I think fans around the world hope this game continues because it’s amazing. And they, in the end, won,” Slot said.

PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved penalties from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones, while the visitors converted all four of their penalties at Anfield.

Liverpool still comfortably lead the Premier League and will face Newcastle United in the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

MADRID: Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior has explained that he is happy at Real Madrid and wants to renew his contract with the LaLiga club as soon as possible.

The statement thus dismisses reports that he is interested in joining the Saudi Pro League.

Vinicius, who joined Real in 2018, has won the Spanish league three times with the club, as well as two Champions League titles and two Club World Cups.

He has scored 102 goals for Real in all competitions and made his 300th appearance for the club in a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis last Sunday.

“I’m calm because my contract is until 2027 and I hope to renew it as soon as possible because I’m happy here,” Vinicius told a news conference ahead of the Champions League last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid.

Last month, Reuters reported that Real were close to reaching an agreement to extend Vinicius’ contract.

“I achieved the dream of playing with the best players in the world, the best coaches, the best presidents, the best fans. Here everyone loves me,” added Vinicius.