Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Chris Wilson
Thursday 20 March 2025 22:06 GMT
Comments
Netherlands train ahead NL quarter-finals against Spain

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:

KICK-OFF! Netherlands 1-1 Spain

We’re back underway in Rotterdam!

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:51

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.

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:47

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.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:41

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!

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:35

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.

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:33

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.

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:30

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!

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:28

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.

20 March 2025 20:27

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.

Chris Wilson20 March 2025 20:26

Netherlands 1-1 Spain

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.

20 March 2025 20:24

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in