Internationals: Ruben Dias’ extra-time triumph, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic fall to penalty shootout defeat | OneFootball

It was a night full of drama for City’s international stars with Ruben Dias progressing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League but Croatian duo Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol were dismissed at the quarter-final stage.

Portugal entered the second leg of their quarter-final with Denmark a goal down after a 1-0 defeat last week.

But a Joachim Anderson own goal in the first half saw the score level out. Four more goals in the second half – two for each team – meant the scoreline after 90 minutes was 3-3 and extra-time awaited.

Dias continued to be a pivotal figure for his nation, featuring for the full 120 minutes. A penalty shootout was not needed for Portugal who completed the comeback in extra-time with goals from Francisco Trincao and Goncalo Ramos securing Portugal’s place in the final four.

Elsewhere, after Croatia’s 2-0 win over France in the week prior, Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic once again featured for their country and hoped to help their country progress to the semi-finals of the Nations League.

Both started in what was an intense game against France. But, late goals from Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele sent the game to extra-time, which Kovacic and Gvardiol were replaced either side of.

They watched on as France won the penalty shootout 5-4 after no decisive goal was found in extra time.

Their games were the final international fixtures of the March window with the players set to return to City in the coming days to begin preparation for our FA Cup trip to Bournemouth.