Spain beat the Netherlands on penalties to reach the Nations League semi-finals after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Dutch forward Noa Lang and Spain’s Lamine Yamal both missed in the shootout before Spanish keeper Unai Simon kept out Donyell Malen’s effort to give Pedri the chance to clinch a last-four spot for the 2023 winners.
The Barcelona midfielder made no mistake, sending a lofted effort into the corner to cue wild celebrations among the home fans at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia.
Spain had led twice in normal time thanks to goals from Real Sociedad striker Mikel Oyarzabal, but Memphis Depay’s penalty nine minutes into the second half and an effort from debutant Ian Maatsen forced extra time.
A fabulous Yamal effort put Spain ahead 13 minutes into the additional 30 minutes, but Xavi Simons scored another penalty to send the tie to spot-kicks.
The result stretches Spain’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 18 matches, while they have not been beaten in the Nations League since a 2-1 home defeat by Switzerland in September 2022.
After snatching a 2-2 draw in Thursday’s first leg, the hosts had the better of the first-half chances and took an early lead through Oyarzabal’s penalty after Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke fouled the frontman inside the box.
Depay marked his 100th Netherlands appearance with a sweetly struck spot-kick of his own after being fouled by Robin Le Normand nine minutes into the second half.
But Spain were back in front midway through the second period when Oyarzabal nodded home his second of the game at the end of a flowing counter-attack involving Yamal and Nico Williams.
Luis de la Fuente’s team appeared to be heading through in normal time until Maatsen guided a powerful, left-footed effort into the net on 79 minutes.
After a lively start to extra time, Yamal outfoxed Maatsen on the corner of the area before curling home a sumptuous shot to restore Spain’s advantage, but La Roja were pegged back yet again when Simons beat Unai Simons from the spot after being brought down by the goalkeeper inside the box.
Yamal was denied by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the shootout after Lang had crashed his effort against the crossbar, but Pedri capitalised on Simon’s save from Malen to set up a semi-final meeting with France.