Mikel Merino scored a stop-time equalizer when Spain saved a 2-2 draw from the first stage of their Nations League quarterfinals against the Netherlands, which Jorrel Hato had sent.
Match report
Mikel Merino scored a stop-time equalizer when Spain saved a 2-2 draw from the first stage of their Nations League quarterfinals against the Netherlands, which Jorrel Hato had sent.
The ruling Nations League and European Champions Spain started clearly in De Kuip and hit the front through Nico Williams, but Cody Gakpo made it 1-1 after 28 minutes.
Tijjani Reijnders then found the top left corner with an excellent side -hearted finish in the first minute of the second half to give the hosts of Ronald Koeman a deserved lead.
But Hato's Sending OFF joined the lead of the Netherlands, and Merino benefited from a late mistake by Bart Verbruggen to let the draw subtle for Sunday's return bone in Valencia.
Spain only needed nine minutes to continue, Williams drilled his shot under Verbruggen and from the edge of the box after good work by Barcelona Duo Lamine Yamal and Pedri.
The visitors had almost a second when Alvaro Morata planted his header in the 19th minute, when Gakpo stroked a first finish in the nearby pole to make it 1-1.
The hosts grew from there in confidence and should have led the peace. Unai Simon made a reflex storing to deny Memphis Depay, when Reijnders bit the top of the bar with a bustling volley from the edge of the box.
After that sighter, Reijnders only needed 39 seconds of the second half to raise the Netherlands with 2-1, so Jeremie Frimpong's Cutback was accompanied at home from 18 meters.
Spain's reaction to that goal was flat, but they got hope when Hato jumped in a hasty challenge on Robin Le Normand and the defender of Atletico Madrid on the ankle caught with his studs and received a red card with nine minutes to play.
The Netherlands were the masters of their own downfall in the third minute of the stopping time, Verbruggen spilled Williams' shot directly to Merino, who was cheerfully stopped home.
Data Debrief: Roja Run continues
Spain was moments of their first defeat in almost a year after they had been on the losing side against Colombia in a friendly in London on March 22, 2024.
But Merino saved them at the last minute and expanded their undefeated run in all competitions to 17 games (14 wins, three draws).
Luis de la Fuente, however, was unable to devise the very first victory of Spain in the Netherlands now has visited six times, pulled twice and lost four times.
Gakpo was perhaps the striking player when the Netherlands brought the game to the Euro 2024 victors on 11 versus 11.
The Liverpool-Man was involved in 21 goals in his first 37 games for his country (15 goals, six assists), the second highest count of each player through his first 37 performances for the Netherlands, after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (23, Arjen Robben also 21).
Match -Events
0 'The game is about to start!
9 'goal! Nico Williams opens the score for La Roja! The Netherlands 0-1 Spain
19 'Cucurella crossed for Morata, who left the target – a missed opportunity!
21 'Match event for the Netherlands vs Spain
28 'goal! Gakpo gets clinical finish in the bottom corner! The Netherlands 1-1 Spain
33 'Spain are cut open again, because Gakpo cannot be for Depay for a clear goal chances!
42 'Frimpong's Pass has set up Reijnders, whose shot closely missed a great goal!
46 'goal! Tijjani Reijnders Slotting Home Frimpong Low Cross! The Netherlands 2-1 Spain
56 'Van Dijk's heavy challenge on Morata deserves a warning but avoids a yellow card!
60 'Depay continues to Gakpo on the left, who shoots weakly, saved by the keeper!
66 'Match event for the Netherlands vs Spain
71 'Highlight of the Netherlands vs Spain
78 'Match event for the Netherlands vs Spain
93 'goal! Mikel Merino ends in an unguarded net! The Netherlands 2-2 Spain
Line-ups
The Netherlands XI: Depay, Van Dijk, De Jong, Kluisert, Gakpo, Lutsharel Geertruida, Reijnders, Jeremie Frimpong, Jan Paul van Hecke, Bart Verbruggen, Jorrel Hato
Subs: Nick Olij, Mark Flekken, De Ligt, Koopmeiners, Lang, Malen, Kenneth Taylor, Brian Brobbey, Mats Wieffer, Xavi Simons, Youri Baas
Spain XI: Morata, Le Normand, Unai Simón, Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Martín Zubimendi, Porro, Pedri, Nico Williams, Yamal, Cubarsi
Subs: Grimaldo, Ayoze Perez, Álex Remiro, A.García, David Raya, Merino, Oyarzabal, Olmo, álex Baena, óscar Mingueza, Dean Huijsen, Samu AGhehowa
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