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:
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
35 mins
Now Spain’s turn to press again as Yamal’s cross falls to Zubimendi, who rifles a volley right at Verbruggen.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
34 mins
Almost a brilliant chance for the Dutch as van Dijk threads a pass to Gakpo in the box. The Liverpool man is unselfish and tries to clip a ball across the area, but it’s cleared at the last.
Netherlands 1-1 Spain
31 mins
The Dutch had been in the ascendancy since conceding but it was still a surprising goal. Spain had looked fairly comfortable.
A reminder that La Roja have gone over 20 games without losing.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 Spain
28 mins
The curse of the commentator!
The Dutch are level and it’s a well-worked goal.
Frimpong escapes Cucurella and it’s cut back to Kluivert, who squares a pass that Gakpo manages to rifle into the back of the net first-time! It was a great finish, low and to Simon’s right.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
25 mins
It’s all a bit more settled at the moment, though neither side is looking like scoring right now. A few more sloppy concessions of the ball in the last few minutes.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
22 mins
Simon is almost caught out with a backpass under pressure from Frimpong, but he feints well to take it past the Dutchman.
It’s the Netherlands with all the ball now though.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
21 mins
Half a chance again! A great delivery from Depay for the first corner of the match sees Hato head it back down before van Dijk hooks a half-volley over the bar! Well worked.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
18 mins
Half a chance for both sides over the last couple of minutes.
Spain have the better one, with Nico Williams picking the ball up on the right before laying it off to Cucurella, whose cross finds Morata – but the captain can only head wide.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
15 mins
Again, plenty of possession for the Dutch but not a lot of penetration. Spain’s defensive shape is holding well so far.
The Dutch are actually in a more classic 4-3-3 so far, with van Hecke and vn Dijk as centre-backs and Geertruida and Hato at full-back.
De Jong and Reijnders are the holding midfielders, with Justin Kluivert in attacking midfield.
Netherlands 0-1 Spain
12 mins
That goal seems to have shocked the hosts a bit – they were in control before Hato was robbed off possession!
Gakpo tries to work his side into the game with a teasing cross but it’s well dealt with by Cucurella.
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