In a thrilling encounter in the quarter-finals of the Nations League, the Netherlands and Spain battled to a 2-2 draw on March 20, 2025, at De Kuip in Rotterdam. The match showcased the resilience of both teams, but it was marred for the Dutch squad after a red card for defender Hato, which shifted the momentum in Spain’s favor.
After a slow start, Spain opened the scoring in the 9th minute. A mistake by Hato, who lost possession under pressure from Lamine Yamal, allowed Pedri to set up Nico Williams. Williams rounded Geertruida and slotted the ball past Verbruggen, giving Spain an early lead. Desperate to respond, the Dutch team rallied in the first half, with efforts from Van Dijk and Gakpo, but they couldn’t find an equalizer before the halftime whistle blew with a score of 0-1.
With renewed energy, the Netherlands came out strong in the second half. Just 40 seconds after the break, they found their equalizer through Reijnders, whose goal was assisted by a precise setup from Frimpong. This moment significantly lifted the spirits of the Dutch players, making the score 1-1.
As the match continued, Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead in the 28th minute with a powerful strike, again assisted by Kluivert, putting the Dutch team in a commanding position at 2-1. Their lead, however, came under threat when Hato received a direct red card in the 82nd minute for a foul on Le Normand. The young Ajax defender’s reckless challenge left the Dutch side one man down.
With momentum swinging toward Spain, the Dutch players had to tighten their defenses. Despite their efforts, Spain’s relentless pressure paid off in injury time. In the 90+3 minute, a shot from Williams rebounded off Verbruggen, and the ball landed at the feet of Merino, who did not hesitate to fire into the net, leveling the score at 2-2.
Reflecting on the match, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman expressed pride in his team's performance despite the frustrating end. “We played well, but we need to maintain our focus until the final whistle,” Koeman stated. With both teams sharing points, the stage is set for the return match in Valencia. The Dutch and Spanish teams will meet again on March 23, 2025, in what promises to be another exhilarating encounter.
The previous quarter-final saw Croatia overcoming France, solidifying their place, and ensuring excitement for the semi-finals. The winner of the upcoming match will advance to face the Croatians, who secured a 2-0 victory over the French.
Overall, the game was marked by moments of brilliance and missed opportunities. The young defender Dean Huijsen made his international debut for Spain, stepping in during the 40th minute, and showed promise in his performance. Amidst the thrilling atmosphere at De Kuip, Dutch supporters experienced a rollercoaster of emotions—joy, tension, and ultimately disappointment—but they are hopeful for a stronger showing in Spain.
