Luis de la Fuente said it would be difficult to beat the Netherlands in their quarterfinals of the Nations League after Spain had grown a point in the first stage of their collision on Thursday.
Nico Williams had only fired the holders in the ninth minute for goals in both half of Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders to turn the match in favor of the Dutch.
But the 81st minute of Jorrel Hato turned off the tide, and in the third minute of the second half of the stop time, Mikel Merino came across an error by Bart Verbruggen to finely enable the draw for the return bone in Valencia.
Spain saw their unbeaten run expand their undefeated runs to 17 games (W14 D3), their best series since September 2018 (G27 – W18 D9).
However, the Netherlands is unbeaten in their last four games against La Roja (W2 D2), and De La Fuente recognized the size of the task for his players if they want to book their place in the last four.
“It is very difficult to beat a team like the Netherlands. It has been a match of alternatives, as planned,” said De La Fuente.
“We knew it would be resolved by details, and it is. They are a powerful team. We are very satisfied and even more after four months without competing.
“It is true that their third goal could have come, as well as our second with the header of Morata. It will be very difficult for us to win in Valencia. I have no doubt about it.”
17 – @sefutbol is Ubeaten in their last 17 games in all competitions (W14 D3), their best series since September 2018 (G27 – W18 D9). Momentum. pic.twitter.com/m0kaqyiyde
– Optajose (@Optajose) March 20, 2025
Thursday's draw also saw Bournemouth -defender Dean Huijsen make his debut for Spain, to replace the wounded Pau Cubarsi in the 41st minute of the game in Feyenoord.
Although he picked up a yellow card for an error on Justin Kluivert, Huijsen impressed the La Fuente, and he predicted a bright future for the 19-year-old on the international stage.
“It's great news for us. He has shown that he is an extraordinary player and that he can help us a lot. He has shown maturity and that he is not impressed at all,” he added.
However, Huijsen was thrown into a kettle of noise after making his debut for La Roja against the land of his birth.
He represented the Netherlands at youth level before he changed nationalities in 2024, playing six times for the Spanish youth of Spain before he was promoted to the first team.
And although he thrown in in the deep, Huijsen enjoyed the chance to take his first steps in international football in a hostile environment.
“In the beginning I didn't have a Spanish passport, but when the opportunity was to get a passport quickly, I made the decision,” said Huijsen.
'Spain is my home. I have lived in Spain all my life and did everything with football here. My childhood friends are Spanish.
“Called on was already the best moment of my career and playing for Spain makes me really proud, against anyone.
“The best players are in Spain, and it's an honor to be with them.”
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