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:
Nations League quarter-final ties in full
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.
De la Fuente speaks
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.
Koeman says Spain are 'solid'
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."
Head-to-head
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.
When do the semi-finals and final take place?
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.
Netherlands team news
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 line-up
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.
Spain team news
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.
Spain line-up
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.
Is the match on TV?
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.
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