Ball boy heroics, penalties & comeback chaos on epic Nations League night

"We got up this morning with the idea it could be a great night."

Little did you know, Kylian Mbappe. Little did you know.

The France forward was speaking after his side's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Croatia in the Nations League, but in truth it barely even begins to cover the chaos that unfolded across the competition's quarter-final second legs on Sunday.

There were 21 goals across four games, three of which went to extra time and two all the way to sudden death in a shootout. As teams piled forward with carefree abandon, there were a whopping 131 attempts on goal in total. It was bedlam.

The matches ended as follows:

It all means France, Germany, Portugal and Spain will compete in the Nations League semi-finals in June.

But, first, let's talk you through a night which saw a Portuguese legend miss a penalty, a German ball boy become a hero and very nearly an Italian comeback to end all comebacks.

The mayhem started just five minutes into the action when Cristiano Ronaldo was dragged down in the box and Portugal were awarded a penalty.

A chance for the 40-year-old to produce his famous "siu" celebration, just three days on from Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund copying it after scoring the winner in the first leg?

Errr, no.

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was completely unfazed by Ronaldo's stuttering run-up, diving low to his left to keep his tame effort out.

The 32nd penalty miss of a glittering career. He's scored a few too, mind you