Netherlands vs Spain LIVE: Latest updates as Mikel Merino rescues result for La Roja
Netherlands 2-2 Spain: Mikel Merino rescued a result for La Roja after a late Jorrel Hato red card
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:
Mikel Merino rescues Spain as Croatia stun France in Nations League quarter-finals
Mikel Merino was the hero for Spain as La Roja snatched a stoppage-time equaliser against 10-man Netherlands to secure a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.
Merino, who has deputised as a striker for Arsenal in the absence of Kai Havertz, came on as a midfielder but proved his knack for goalscoring as he tapped in a close-range rebound three minutes into added time in Rotterdam.
The Dutch had dominated much of the match – having recovered from Nico Williams’ early goal to go 2-1 up via Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders – but faltered after a late red card for 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato.
Mikel Merino rescues Spain as Croatia stun France in Nations League quarter-finals
Spain's form
Spain have won 14 and drawn three of their last 17 international matches. They are unbeaten in 22 competitive matches, since a loss to Scotland in March 2023.
Next up
The return leg takes place this Sunday, 23 March, at the Mestalla in Valencia.
Kick-off is once again at 7.45pm GMT.
As a reminder, the winner of this tie will face the winner of Croatia v France.
Results elsewhere
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
FULL-TIME! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
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.
FULL-TIME! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
The referee brings the game to an end and a fascinating contest ends all-square in Rotterdam!
Netherlands 2-2 Spain
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...
GOAL! Netherlands 2-2 Spain
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!
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