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:
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
We’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
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.
HALF-TIME! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
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!
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
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.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
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.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
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!
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
40 mins
Pau Cubarsi is down for Spain at the moment, and Dean Huijsen could be set to come on here.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
38 mins
It’s not clicking for Spain at all in possession at the moment, as evidenced by Morata giving it away cheaply.
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