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The Netherlands and Spain fought to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final in Rotterdam tonight.
The European champions started the game on the back foot but they had the opening goal after Pedri set up Nico Williams to blast in.
But far from pressing on, La Roja retreated as the Dutch grew into the match and began to dominate.
This pressure eventually paid off before the half ended as Justin Kluivert squared it for Cody Gakpo to rifle in a low shot, and the second half got off to a dream start as Frimpong cut back for Tijani Reijnders to place a brilliant finish past Unai Simon less than a minute after the restart.
However, a late red card for Hato let the visitors back into it, and the Spanish pressure told as Mikel Merino tapped in from Williams’ shot to earn La Roja a result ahead of the second leg in Valencia on Sunday.
Follow all the latest reaction from De Kuip below:
There were some surprises in the other quarter-finals – check out the results below.
Italy 1-2 Germany
Croatia 2-0 France
Denmark 1-0 Portugal
Well, it turned out to be a great game at De Kuip.
The Dutch absolutely dominated the first half and were in dreamland as they scored early on in the second, but in truth they failed to press on from there.
Granted, Spain didn’t look like scoring, but Koeman’s side were guilty of resting on their laurels somewhat.
And Jorrel Hato’s late red card let La Roja back into the game – they took their chance late on through Merino, and they have to be favourites ahead of the second leg.
The referee brings the game to an end and a fascinating contest ends all-square in Rotterdam!
90 +5 mins
Chance for a winner here? Surely the last kick of the game as Porro delivers a free-kick...
It’s headed away and on the follow-up someone is offside...
90 +3 mins
GOAL! Spain have levelled!
It’s messy but they won’t care.
Williams picks the ball up on the right and cuts back outside, eventually hitting a tame shot at goal, but Verbruggen’s sight path is blocked and he can only palm it straight to Merino, who taps into a nearly empty net!
90 +1 mins
Another late change as Reijnders comes off for Wieffer.
90 mins
There’ll be five minutes of stoppage time here. It begins with a Dutch counter, but Gakpo is too isolated.
88 mins
Spain have all the ball now, as you might expect, with van Dijk hooking away a last-ditch clearance most recently.
87 mins
Changes from both sides in the last few minutes as Mikel Merino came on for Ruiz and Depay made way for Matthijs de Ligt.
84 mins
Le Normand is okay to carry on, and Spain look to press home their advantage.
They have half a chance almost right away after some great work from Huijsen, who picks the ball up and threads a great pass to Williams. He cuts inside and gets off a well-hit strike, but it’s too close to Verbruggen.
82 mins
Hato is shown a straight red! He goes flying in, low and studs-up on Le Normand, and the referee doesn’t hesitate.
Very few protests from Hato either.
81 mins
There could be trouble here as Hato has gone flying in on Le Normand...
79 mins
A lovely turn in the middle from Olmo gets Spain on their way but once again Perez can’t find the final pass.
77 mins
Spain think they have a chance but the ball narrowly drops away from Perez in the box and within the blink of an eye the Dutch have countered.
Frimpong is the outlet again, and he finds Simons with the cutback, but the shot is deflected behind.
From the set-piece, the foul is given against van Dijk, who is given a yellow card.
75 mins
The neat, tidy combinations that worked so well for Spain at Euro 2024 just aren’t clicking at the moment, though they’ve added more possession in the last few minutes.
15 left to get a result to take back to Valencia.
73 mins
Changes for the hosts now as De Jong and Kluivert come off for Teun Koopmeiners and Xavi Simons.
Good performances from both today.
71 mins
Half a chance as Olmo and Zubimendi exchange passes before the latter’s cross takes a deflection off van Dijk, forcing Verbruggen into a decent save.
From the corner, De Jong heads away well before Perez is booked for a sliding challenge on Frimpong. Sloppy.
68 mins
Frimpong – who has been excellent today – stands up Cucurella on the right but the Chelsea man manages to win the goal kick.
There’s a brief VAR check as Le Normand has his hands all over Depay in the box, but the referee waves it away.
65 mins
The changes come as Morata, Pedri and Yamal come off for Ayoze Perez, Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal.
63 mins
Some great anticipation from Porro gives Yamal the ball and a chance to shoot, but it’s deflected behind for a corner, and the delivery is wasteful.
Luis de la Fuente is preparing a triple change.
61 mins
Huijsen goes flying in on Kluivert near halfway and it’s a booking for the 19-year-old.
59 mins
The hosts aren’t dominating possession in the same way they did in the opening half, but they look very dangerous when they do get forward.
Gakpo is the latest to have a go from distance, but it’s too close to Simon.
55 mins
Better again from Spain, though not quite as threatening. They’re keeping possession much more effectively now though, as van Dijk brings down Morata just over 35 yards out.
52 mins
Much better from Spain in possession, with some combinations on the edge of the box before Morata’s cross is blocked, but there’s still no way through.
49 mins
Spain have kept possession well since the goal but there’a a real lack of penetration now. The Dutch seem very confident, and are threatening whenever they get forward.
46 mins
GOAL! What a start to the second half!
The Dutch are ahead! It’s a great goal too, with more great work from Frimpong as he burst into the box before squaring it for Reijnders, who places a brilliant low finish into the far corner.
We’re back underway in Rotterdam!
We’ll be back underway soon at De Kuip. Mikel Merino is warming up at the moment – presumably for a midfield role though.
It was an entertaining half for the neutral in Rotterdam, with Spain opening the scoring but the Netherlands dominating the match overall.
The hosts were in the ascendancy since the opener and got their reward with their own well-worked goal, and they’ve kicked on from there.
They’ve gone fairly close on a couple of occasions since equalising, and it has looked uncomrftable for Luis de la Fuente’s side at times out there.
45 +2 mins
There are two minutes of added time in Rotterdam. Spain are attacking with the last action of the half, and they win a throw deep into the Dutch half but the referee blows the whistle for half-time!
44 mins
A dangerous free-kick won by Pedro Porro here, after he’d made a great overlapping run.
Cody Gakpo is booked for the foul.
It’s right near the edge of the box, about 25 yards out on the right. It’ll be Yamal to take – he fires well over when he probably should’ve crossed in.
42 mins
The Dutch domination continues as the half comes to an end.
First, a free-kick is headed narrowly wide, forcing a save from Simon, before Frimpong squares a perfect ball to Reijnders, whose sliced volley clips the edge of the crossbar! Some goal that would’ve been.
41 mins
Cubarsi does come off, and Huijsen replaces him for his debut in the country he was born in. He is being booed by the home fans!
40 mins
Pau Cubarsi is down for Spain at the moment, and Dean Huijsen could be set to come on here.
38 mins
It’s not clicking for Spain at all in possession at the moment, as evidenced by Morata giving it away cheaply.
36 mins
Great save! Depay should probably score here though.
The ball is played forward and the striker latches onto the end of it just as he enters the Spanish box, and but his shot is too close to the ‘keeper.
35 mins
Now Spain’s turn to press again as Yamal’s cross falls to Zubimendi, who rifles a volley right at Verbruggen.
34 mins
Almost a brilliant chance for the Dutch as van Dijk threads a pass to Gakpo in the box. The Liverpool man is unselfish and tries to clip a ball across the area, but it’s cleared at the last.
31 mins
The Dutch had been in the ascendancy since conceding but it was still a surprising goal. Spain had looked fairly comfortable.
A reminder that La Roja have gone over 20 games without losing.
28 mins
The curse of the commentator!
The Dutch are level and it’s a well-worked goal.
Frimpong escapes Cucurella and it’s cut back to Kluivert, who squares a pass that Gakpo manages to rifle into the back of the net first-time! It was a great finish, low and to Simon’s right.
25 mins
It’s all a bit more settled at the moment, though neither side is looking like scoring right now. A few more sloppy concessions of the ball in the last few minutes.
22 mins
Simon is almost caught out with a backpass under pressure from Frimpong, but he feints well to take it past the Dutchman.
It’s the Netherlands with all the ball now though.
21 mins
Half a chance again! A great delivery from Depay for the first corner of the match sees Hato head it back down before van Dijk hooks a half-volley over the bar! Well worked.
18 mins
Half a chance for both sides over the last couple of minutes.
Spain have the better one, with Nico Williams picking the ball up on the right before laying it off to Cucurella, whose cross finds Morata – but the captain can only head wide.
15 mins
Again, plenty of possession for the Dutch but not a lot of penetration. Spain’s defensive shape is holding well so far.
The Dutch are actually in a more classic 4-3-3 so far, with van Hecke and vn Dijk as centre-backs and Geertruida and Hato at full-back.
De Jong and Reijnders are the holding midfielders, with Justin Kluivert in attacking midfield.
12 mins
That goal seems to have shocked the hosts a bit – they were in control before Hato was robbed off possession!
Gakpo tries to work his side into the game with a teasing cross but it’s well dealt with by Cucurella.
9 mins
GOAL! Out of nowhere, the visitors lead!
Hato is caught out by Yamal right on the touchline and the Barca youngster squares it to Pedri in the box.
The midfielder looks up and finds Nico Williams, who controls it on the turn before firing low past Verbruggen!
6 mins
Plenty of possession for the hosts in the opening exchanges. The Spanish haven’t been able to exert control at all yet.
4 mins
Now it’s the hosts’ first attack, as Frimpong gets forward and hooks in an early cross. Gakpo collects, but he fires well over after cutting inside.
Contrary to the earlier team news, the team graphics have Frimpong starting as an out-and-out right winger.
2 mins
A few exchanges of possession to begin with and the latest ends with Ruiz slipping through a pass to Pedri, who hits a shot straight at Verbruggen.
Not a bad start.
We’re underway in Rotterdam!
The crowd are warming up at De Kuip and both sides are in the tunnel now. We’re around five minutes from kick-off.
Spain have won all five of their last five matches, with a draw in their other Nations League group game (0-0 against Serbia away).
La Roja beat Serbia at home and then won home and away against Denmark and Switzerland over the course of the campaign, scoring 13 and conceding just four in the process.
If that 2010 World Cup win signalled Spain as one of the great sides in football history, this match was the one that signalled the end of that dynasty.
Four years on from the win in South Africa, these two sides met again in Group B in Brazil, and the Netherlands got their revenge in spectacular style.
Despite Spain going 1-0 up through a Xabi Alonso penalty, the Dutch hit back through a now-famous van Persie header before Arjen Robben gave them the lead.
From there it was one-way traffic as both van Persie and Roben secured a brace after Stefan de Vrij had made it 3-1, giving the Netherlands one of the most famous results in recent World Cup history.
The Dutch have won one, lost one and drawn three of their last five matches, with the win and loss coming against Hungary and Germany respectively.
Koeman’s side also managed a draw against both of those sides, with the other result being a 1-1 draw with Bosnia last time out.
The most famous match between these two came in 2010, at the World Cup Final in Johannesburg.
After a match that had seen plenty of missed chances, a red card for John Heitinga and a blatant red card not given to Nigel de Jong, Andres Iniesta popped up with a lovely half-volley to give La Roja their maiden World Cup win.
Having won Euro 2008, this result sealed Spain’s dominance at international level, with players including Xavi, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas featuring again as La Roja won Euro 2012 in style.
For the Netherlands, it was another heartbreak on the biggest stage.
Below is the full list of the Nations League quarter-final ties:
Netherlands vs Spain
Croatia vs France
Denmark vs Portugal
Italy vs Germany
The winners of the tie between Spain and the Netherlands will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals.
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente has said that the Dutch “have a very young, talented team”.
“At this level, age is not a factor. What matters is ability, determination and talent.
“We want to win, we don't think about speculating and resolving the issue in Valencia. That never crosses our minds.
“It will be a very complicated match, like a final,” he added.
Dutch boss Ronald Koeman has praised Spain in the lead up to the game, saying they are "very solid on the ball, and they have great midfielders between the lines”.
“With Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks, they also have a lot of pace.
“You will sometimes have to park the bus, but you don't really want that. You want to have the ball in their half and apply pressure up front at times."
These two sides have met a total of 12 times in the past, with Spain winning four, the Netherlands winning six and two ending as draws.
The last two meetings both came in friendlies, with the Dutch winning 2-0 in 2015 before a 1-1 draw in 2020.
The semi-finals will take place on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June, in either Italy or Germany.
Whoever wins that respective quarter-final tie will host the finals in summer – in either Turin or Munich & Stuttgart.
The final – and the match for third place – take place on Sunday, 8 June.
Ronald Koeman has made eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Bosnia last time out.
Bert Verbruggen replaces Flekken in goal, while it looks like a three-at-the-back with de Ligt and de Vrij coming out for Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke. Jorrel Hato keeps his place, with Frimpong and Lutsharel Geertruida at wing-back.
In midfield, Koopmeiners and Wieffer drop out for Frenkie de Jong and Tijani Reijnders, while Zirkzee, Noa Lang and Brian Brobbey are replaced in attack by Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay.
Netherlands XI: Verbruggen; Van Dijk, Hato, van Hecke; Frimpong, Reijnders, De Jong; Geertruida; Gakpo, Kluivert, Memphis.
Subs: Flekken, Olij, Baas, Brobbey, Koopmeiners, Laing, De Ligt, Malen, Simons, Taylor, Wieffer.
Luis de la Fuente has made six changes to the side that beat Switzerland 3-2 in the final group game.
Unai Simon returns in goal, while in defence Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs in place of Oscar Mingueza and Alex Grimaldo. Robin Le Normand takes the place of Aitor Paredes and partners Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi at centre-back.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi replaces injured Barca man Marc Casado, and in the attacking positions, Yeremy Pino makes way for Lamine Yamal on the right.
La Roja have gone early with announcing their starting XI!
Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
When is the Netherlands vs Spain?
The first leg of the Nations League quarter-final is due to kick off at 7.45pm GMT on Thursday 20 March at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
How can I watch it?
There is no television coverage of the fixture in the United Kingdom. The game will, however, be available on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view for £2.49, coverage starts at 7:35pm GMT, and fans can stream the contest live online with the Viaplay International YouTube channel.
Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen - born in Amsterdam but raised in Marbella - has been given a first senior call-up by Spain having been eligible for both nations and represented each at youth level. Aleix Garcia also joins the squad, with Barcelona duo Marc Casado and Inigo Martinez forced out through injury, while Raul Asencio is rewarded for some impressive performances at Real Madrid with a first international opportunity.
Memphis Depay has been recalled to Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad after impressive form for Corinthians, but Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee misses out. Defensive trio Stefan de Vrij, Micky van de Ven and Nathan Ake are among those sidelined or building up fitness after injury. Frenkie de Jong appears to be a doubt after missing training on Monday.
The Netherlands and Spain battle for a semi-final spot as the Nations League knockout rounds get underway.
The pair will vie for last-eight success across two legs and four days, with the Dutch hosting the first half of the tie before travelling to Valencia on Sunday.
The Euro 2024 winners topped Group 4 having dropped just two points, while their opponents finished second behind Germany in Group 3.
The victor will progress to the finals tournament in either Italy or Germany next June.
Good evening and welcome to TheIndependent’s live coverage of tonight’s Nations League quarter-final first leg between Spain and the Netherlands.
The tournament holders have been in fine form since winning Euro 2024 and they take on a Netherlands side who have stumbled since last summer, with the winner earning a place in the semi-finals against either Croatia or France.
Continue reading...
The European champions started the game on the back foot but they had the opening goal after Pedri set up Nico Williams to blast in.
But far from pressing on, La Roja retreated as the Dutch grew into the match and began to dominate.
This pressure eventually paid off before the half ended as Justin Kluivert squared it for Cody Gakpo to rifle in a low shot, and the second half got off to a dream start as Frimpong cut back for Tijani Reijnders to place a brilliant finish past Unai Simon less than a minute after the restart.
However, a late red card for Hato let the visitors back into it, and the Spanish pressure told as Mikel Merino tapped in from Williams’ shot to earn La Roja a result ahead of the second leg in Valencia on Sunday.
Follow all the latest reaction from De Kuip below:
Netherlands vs Spain LIVE: Nations League updates
- Netherlands draw 2-2 with Spain in Nations League quarter-finals first leg in Rotterdam
- Reigning European champions Spain are also the holders of the Nations League, having won in June 2023
- Second leg takes places in Valencia on Sunday, with kick-off at 7.45pm GMT
- 90 +3' GOAL! Merino taps in late on to equalise [NED 2-2 ESP]
- 82' RED CARD! Hato is sent off for a studs-up challenge late on [NED 2-1 ESP]
- 46' GOAL! Reijnders fires in just after half-time to give hosts the lead [NED 2-1 ESP]
- 28' GOAL! Gakpo equalises with accomplished finish [NED 1-1 ESP]
- 9' GOAL! Williams give Spain the lead [NED 0-1 ESP]
Results elsewhere
22:00 , Chris WilsonThere were some surprises in the other quarter-finals – check out the results below.
Italy 1-2 Germany
Croatia 2-0 France
Denmark 1-0 Portugal
FULL-TIME! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
21:52 , Chris WilsonWell, it turned out to be a great game at De Kuip.
The Dutch absolutely dominated the first half and were in dreamland as they scored early on in the second, but in truth they failed to press on from there.
Granted, Spain didn’t look like scoring, but Koeman’s side were guilty of resting on their laurels somewhat.
And Jorrel Hato’s late red card let La Roja back into the game – they took their chance late on through Merino, and they have to be favourites ahead of the second leg.
FULL-TIME! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
21:49
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FULL-TIME! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
21:42 , Chris WilsonThe referee brings the game to an end and a fascinating contest ends all-square in Rotterdam!
Netherlands 2-2 Spain
21:41 , Chris Wilson90 +5 mins
Chance for a winner here? Surely the last kick of the game as Porro delivers a free-kick...
It’s headed away and on the follow-up someone is offside...
GOAL! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
21:40 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
GOAL! Spain have levelled!
It’s messy but they won’t care.
Williams picks the ball up on the right and cuts back outside, eventually hitting a tame shot at goal, but Verbruggen’s sight path is blocked and he can only palm it straight to Merino, who taps into a nearly empty net!
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:37 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
Another late change as Reijnders comes off for Wieffer.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:36 , Chris Wilson90 mins
There’ll be five minutes of stoppage time here. It begins with a Dutch counter, but Gakpo is too isolated.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:35 , Chris Wilson88 mins
Spain have all the ball now, as you might expect, with van Dijk hooking away a last-ditch clearance most recently.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:34 , Chris Wilson87 mins
Changes from both sides in the last few minutes as Mikel Merino came on for Ruiz and Depay made way for Matthijs de Ligt.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:32 , Chris Wilson84 mins
Le Normand is okay to carry on, and Spain look to press home their advantage.
They have half a chance almost right away after some great work from Huijsen, who picks the ball up and threads a great pass to Williams. He cuts inside and gets off a well-hit strike, but it’s too close to Verbruggen.
RED CARD! Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:30 , Chris Wilson82 mins
Hato is shown a straight red! He goes flying in, low and studs-up on Le Normand, and the referee doesn’t hesitate.
Very few protests from Hato either.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:27 , Chris Wilson81 mins
There could be trouble here as Hato has gone flying in on Le Normand...
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:26 , Chris Wilson79 mins
A lovely turn in the middle from Olmo gets Spain on their way but once again Perez can’t find the final pass.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:24 , Chris Wilson77 mins
Spain think they have a chance but the ball narrowly drops away from Perez in the box and within the blink of an eye the Dutch have countered.
Frimpong is the outlet again, and he finds Simons with the cutback, but the shot is deflected behind.
From the set-piece, the foul is given against van Dijk, who is given a yellow card.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:21 , Chris Wilson75 mins
The neat, tidy combinations that worked so well for Spain at Euro 2024 just aren’t clicking at the moment, though they’ve added more possession in the last few minutes.
15 left to get a result to take back to Valencia.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:1973 mins
Changes for the hosts now as De Jong and Kluivert come off for Teun Koopmeiners and Xavi Simons.
Good performances from both today.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:18 , Chris Wilson71 mins
Half a chance as Olmo and Zubimendi exchange passes before the latter’s cross takes a deflection off van Dijk, forcing Verbruggen into a decent save.
From the corner, De Jong heads away well before Perez is booked for a sliding challenge on Frimpong. Sloppy.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:15 , Chris Wilson68 mins
Frimpong – who has been excellent today – stands up Cucurella on the right but the Chelsea man manages to win the goal kick.
There’s a brief VAR check as Le Normand has his hands all over Depay in the box, but the referee waves it away.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:12 , Chris Wilson65 mins
The changes come as Morata, Pedri and Yamal come off for Ayoze Perez, Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:1063 mins
Some great anticipation from Porro gives Yamal the ball and a chance to shoot, but it’s deflected behind for a corner, and the delivery is wasteful.
Luis de la Fuente is preparing a triple change.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:07 , Chris Wilson61 mins
Huijsen goes flying in on Kluivert near halfway and it’s a booking for the 19-year-old.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:05 , Chris Wilson59 mins
The hosts aren’t dominating possession in the same way they did in the opening half, but they look very dangerous when they do get forward.
Gakpo is the latest to have a go from distance, but it’s too close to Simon.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
21:02 , Chris Wilson55 mins
Better again from Spain, though not quite as threatening. They’re keeping possession much more effectively now though, as van Dijk brings down Morata just over 35 yards out.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
20:59 , Chris Wilson52 mins
Much better from Spain in possession, with some combinations on the edge of the box before Morata’s cross is blocked, but there’s still no way through.
Netherlands 2-1 Spain
20:57 , Chris Wilson49 mins
Spain have kept possession well since the goal but there’a a real lack of penetration now. The Dutch seem very confident, and are threatening whenever they get forward.
GOAL! Netherlands 2-1 Spain
20:53 , Chris Wilson46 mins
GOAL! What a start to the second half!
The Dutch are ahead! It’s a great goal too, with more great work from Frimpong as he burst into the box before squaring it for Reijnders, who places a brilliant low finish into the far corner.
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KICK-OFF! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:51 , Chris WilsonWe’re back underway in Rotterdam!
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:47 , Chris WilsonWe’ll be back underway soon at De Kuip. Mikel Merino is warming up at the moment – presumably for a midfield role though.
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:41 , Chris WilsonIt was an entertaining half for the neutral in Rotterdam, with Spain opening the scoring but the Netherlands dominating the match overall.
The hosts were in the ascendancy since the opener and got their reward with their own well-worked goal, and they’ve kicked on from there.
They’ve gone fairly close on a couple of occasions since equalising, and it has looked uncomrftable for Luis de la Fuente’s side at times out there.
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HALF-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:35 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
There are two minutes of added time in Rotterdam. Spain are attacking with the last action of the half, and they win a throw deep into the Dutch half but the referee blows the whistle for half-time!
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:33 , Chris Wilson44 mins
A dangerous free-kick won by Pedro Porro here, after he’d made a great overlapping run.
Cody Gakpo is booked for the foul.
It’s right near the edge of the box, about 25 yards out on the right. It’ll be Yamal to take – he fires well over when he probably should’ve crossed in.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:30 , Chris Wilson42 mins
The Dutch domination continues as the half comes to an end.
First, a free-kick is headed narrowly wide, forcing a save from Simon, before Frimpong squares a perfect ball to Reijnders, whose sliced volley clips the edge of the crossbar! Some goal that would’ve been.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:28 , Chris Wilson41 mins
Cubarsi does come off, and Huijsen replaces him for his debut in the country he was born in. He is being booed by the home fans!
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:2740 mins
Pau Cubarsi is down for Spain at the moment, and Dean Huijsen could be set to come on here.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:26 , Chris Wilson38 mins
It’s not clicking for Spain at all in possession at the moment, as evidenced by Morata giving it away cheaply.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:2436 mins
Great save! Depay should probably score here though.
The ball is played forward and the striker latches onto the end of it just as he enters the Spanish box, and but his shot is too close to the ‘keeper.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:22 , Chris Wilson35 mins
Now Spain’s turn to press again as Yamal’s cross falls to Zubimendi, who rifles a volley right at Verbruggen.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:2034 mins
Almost a brilliant chance for the Dutch as van Dijk threads a pass to Gakpo in the box. The Liverpool man is unselfish and tries to clip a ball across the area, but it’s cleared at the last.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:19 , Chris Wilson31 mins
The Dutch had been in the ascendancy since conceding but it was still a surprising goal. Spain had looked fairly comfortable.
A reminder that La Roja have gone over 20 games without losing.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
20:15 , Chris Wilson28 mins
The curse of the commentator!
The Dutch are level and it’s a well-worked goal.
Frimpong escapes Cucurella and it’s cut back to Kluivert, who squares a pass that Gakpo manages to rifle into the back of the net first-time! It was a great finish, low and to Simon’s right.
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Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:14 , Chris Wilson25 mins
It’s all a bit more settled at the moment, though neither side is looking like scoring right now. A few more sloppy concessions of the ball in the last few minutes.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:1122 mins
Simon is almost caught out with a backpass under pressure from Frimpong, but he feints well to take it past the Dutchman.
It’s the Netherlands with all the ball now though.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:08 , Chris Wilson21 mins
Half a chance again! A great delivery from Depay for the first corner of the match sees Hato head it back down before van Dijk hooks a half-volley over the bar! Well worked.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:06 , Chris Wilson18 mins
Half a chance for both sides over the last couple of minutes.
Spain have the better one, with Nico Williams picking the ball up on the right before laying it off to Cucurella, whose cross finds Morata – but the captain can only head wide.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:04 , Chris Wilson15 mins
Again, plenty of possession for the Dutch but not a lot of penetration. Spain’s defensive shape is holding well so far.
The Dutch are actually in a more classic 4-3-3 so far, with van Hecke and vn Dijk as centre-backs and Geertruida and Hato at full-back.
De Jong and Reijnders are the holding midfielders, with Justin Kluivert in attacking midfield.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
20:01 , Chris Wilson12 mins
That goal seems to have shocked the hosts a bit – they were in control before Hato was robbed off possession!
Gakpo tries to work his side into the game with a teasing cross but it’s well dealt with by Cucurella.
GOAL! Netherlands 0-1 Spain
19:57 , Chris Wilson9 mins
GOAL! Out of nowhere, the visitors lead!
Hato is caught out by Yamal right on the touchline and the Barca youngster squares it to Pedri in the box.
The midfielder looks up and finds Nico Williams, who controls it on the turn before firing low past Verbruggen!
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Netherlands 0-0 Spain
19:52 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Plenty of possession for the hosts in the opening exchanges. The Spanish haven’t been able to exert control at all yet.
Netherlands 0-0 Spain
19:51 , Chris Wilson4 mins
Now it’s the hosts’ first attack, as Frimpong gets forward and hooks in an early cross. Gakpo collects, but he fires well over after cutting inside.
Contrary to the earlier team news, the team graphics have Frimpong starting as an out-and-out right winger.
Netherlands 0-0 Spain
19:50 , Chris Wilson2 mins
A few exchanges of possession to begin with and the latest ends with Ruiz slipping through a pass to Pedri, who hits a shot straight at Verbruggen.
Not a bad start.
KICK-OFF! Netherlands 0-0 Spain
19:47 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in Rotterdam!
Netherlands vs Spain LIVE
19:40 , Chris WilsonThe crowd are warming up at De Kuip and both sides are in the tunnel now. We’re around five minutes from kick-off.
Spain form guide
19:35 , Chris WilsonSpain have won all five of their last five matches, with a draw in their other Nations League group game (0-0 against Serbia away).
La Roja beat Serbia at home and then won home and away against Denmark and Switzerland over the course of the campaign, scoring 13 and conceding just four in the process.
Previous meetings: Spain 1-5 Netherlands, 2014 World Cup
19:30 , Chris WilsonIf that 2010 World Cup win signalled Spain as one of the great sides in football history, this match was the one that signalled the end of that dynasty.
Four years on from the win in South Africa, these two sides met again in Group B in Brazil, and the Netherlands got their revenge in spectacular style.
Despite Spain going 1-0 up through a Xabi Alonso penalty, the Dutch hit back through a now-famous van Persie header before Arjen Robben gave them the lead.
From there it was one-way traffic as both van Persie and Roben secured a brace after Stefan de Vrij had made it 3-1, giving the Netherlands one of the most famous results in recent World Cup history.
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Netherlands form guide
19:25 , Chris WilsonThe Dutch have won one, lost one and drawn three of their last five matches, with the win and loss coming against Hungary and Germany respectively.
Koeman’s side also managed a draw against both of those sides, with the other result being a 1-1 draw with Bosnia last time out.
Previous meetings: Netherlands 0-1 Spain, 2010 WC Final
19:20 , Chris WilsonThe most famous match between these two came in 2010, at the World Cup Final in Johannesburg.
After a match that had seen plenty of missed chances, a red card for John Heitinga and a blatant red card not given to Nigel de Jong, Andres Iniesta popped up with a lovely half-volley to give La Roja their maiden World Cup win.
Having won Euro 2008, this result sealed Spain’s dominance at international level, with players including Xavi, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas featuring again as La Roja won Euro 2012 in style.
For the Netherlands, it was another heartbreak on the biggest stage.
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Nations League quarter-final ties in full
19:15 , Chris WilsonBelow is the full list of the Nations League quarter-final ties:
Netherlands vs Spain
Croatia vs France
Denmark vs Portugal
Italy vs Germany
The winners of the tie between Spain and the Netherlands will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals.
De la Fuente speaks
19:10 , Chris WilsonSpain boss Luis de la Fuente has said that the Dutch “have a very young, talented team”.
“At this level, age is not a factor. What matters is ability, determination and talent.
“We want to win, we don't think about speculating and resolving the issue in Valencia. That never crosses our minds.
“It will be a very complicated match, like a final,” he added.
Koeman says Spain are 'solid'
19:05 , Chris WilsonDutch boss Ronald Koeman has praised Spain in the lead up to the game, saying they are "very solid on the ball, and they have great midfielders between the lines”.
“With Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks, they also have a lot of pace.
“You will sometimes have to park the bus, but you don't really want that. You want to have the ball in their half and apply pressure up front at times."
Head-to-head
18:55 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met a total of 12 times in the past, with Spain winning four, the Netherlands winning six and two ending as draws.
The last two meetings both came in friendlies, with the Dutch winning 2-0 in 2015 before a 1-1 draw in 2020.
When do the semi-finals and final take place?
18:45 , Chris WilsonThe semi-finals will take place on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June, in either Italy or Germany.
Whoever wins that respective quarter-final tie will host the finals in summer – in either Turin or Munich & Stuttgart.
The final – and the match for third place – take place on Sunday, 8 June.
Netherlands team news
18:42Ronald Koeman has made eight changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Bosnia last time out.
Bert Verbruggen replaces Flekken in goal, while it looks like a three-at-the-back with de Ligt and de Vrij coming out for Virgil van Dijk and Jan Paul van Hecke. Jorrel Hato keeps his place, with Frimpong and Lutsharel Geertruida at wing-back.
In midfield, Koopmeiners and Wieffer drop out for Frenkie de Jong and Tijani Reijnders, while Zirkzee, Noa Lang and Brian Brobbey are replaced in attack by Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay.
Netherlands line-up
18:36 , Chris WilsonNetherlands XI: Verbruggen; Van Dijk, Hato, van Hecke; Frimpong, Reijnders, De Jong; Geertruida; Gakpo, Kluivert, Memphis.
Subs: Flekken, Olij, Baas, Brobbey, Koopmeiners, Laing, De Ligt, Malen, Simons, Taylor, Wieffer.
Spain team news
18:30 , Chris WilsonLuis de la Fuente has made six changes to the side that beat Switzerland 3-2 in the final group game.
Unai Simon returns in goal, while in defence Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella come in as full-backs in place of Oscar Mingueza and Alex Grimaldo. Robin Le Normand takes the place of Aitor Paredes and partners Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi at centre-back.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi replaces injured Barca man Marc Casado, and in the attacking positions, Yeremy Pino makes way for Lamine Yamal on the right.
Spain line-up
18:27 , Chris WilsonLa Roja have gone early with announcing their starting XI!
Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Is the match on TV?
18:15 , Chris WilsonWhen is the Netherlands vs Spain?
The first leg of the Nations League quarter-final is due to kick off at 7.45pm GMT on Thursday 20 March at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
How can I watch it?
There is no television coverage of the fixture in the United Kingdom. The game will, however, be available on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view for £2.49, coverage starts at 7:35pm GMT, and fans can stream the contest live online with the Viaplay International YouTube channel.
Team news
18:07 , Chris WilsonBournemouth’s Dean Huijsen - born in Amsterdam but raised in Marbella - has been given a first senior call-up by Spain having been eligible for both nations and represented each at youth level. Aleix Garcia also joins the squad, with Barcelona duo Marc Casado and Inigo Martinez forced out through injury, while Raul Asencio is rewarded for some impressive performances at Real Madrid with a first international opportunity.
Team news
18:05 , Chris WilsonMemphis Depay has been recalled to Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad after impressive form for Corinthians, but Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee misses out. Defensive trio Stefan de Vrij, Micky van de Ven and Nathan Ake are among those sidelined or building up fitness after injury. Frenkie de Jong appears to be a doubt after missing training on Monday.
Netherlands vs Spain LIVE
18:01 , Chris WilsonThe Netherlands and Spain battle for a semi-final spot as the Nations League knockout rounds get underway.
The pair will vie for last-eight success across two legs and four days, with the Dutch hosting the first half of the tie before travelling to Valencia on Sunday.
The Euro 2024 winners topped Group 4 having dropped just two points, while their opponents finished second behind Germany in Group 3.
The victor will progress to the finals tournament in either Italy or Germany next June.
Netherlands vs Spain LIVE
17:57 , Chris WilsonGood evening and welcome to TheIndependent’s live coverage of tonight’s Nations League quarter-final first leg between Spain and the Netherlands.
The tournament holders have been in fine form since winning Euro 2024 and they take on a Netherlands side who have stumbled since last summer, with the winner earning a place in the semi-finals against either Croatia or France.
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