Netherlands 2-2 Spain: goals, tension and an electrifying end in the Nations League

Alignments

Netherlands (4-3-3)

• Porter: Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)
• Defences: Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool, capitán), Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord)
• Middle campers: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth)
• Delanteros: Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)
• Substitutions: Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus) by De Jong (min. 70), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord) by Reijnders (min. 85), Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United) by Depay (min. 75).
• Coach: Ronald Koeman

Spain (4-2-3-1)

• Porter: Unai SimÃ3n (Athletic Club)
• Defences: Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Robin Le Normand (Atlético Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
• Middle campers: Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Martín Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
• Delantero: Alvaro Morata (AC Milan, capitán)
• Substitutions: Dani Olmo (Barcelona) by Pedri (min. 65), Ayoze Pérez (Villarreal) by Morata (min. 65), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad) by Yamal (min. 65), Mikel Merino (Arsenal) by Fabián Ruiz (min. 75).
• Coach: Luis de la Fuente

MVP Party

• Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands): The right side of the Bayer Leverkusen was named MVP thanks to its crucial impact on the two goals of the Dutch. Their speed, ability to overflow and assistance, both direct and indirect, destabilized the Spanish defense, especially Cucurella. According to UEFA.com, Frimpong collected 11.8 km, completed 3 of 4 regates and provided the key pass for the 2-1 of Reijnders. His energy kept the Netherlands in control until the exile of Hato.

Targets and assistance

1. 0-1 (min. 9) â™a Nico Williams (Spanish)
   • Assistance: Alvaro Morata (pase after recovery from Lamine Yamal).
   • Description: Yamal pressed Hato, stole the balloon near the area and passed to Morata, who enabled Williams. The end of the Athletic turned fast and set across the right, surpassing Verbruggen.
   • Context: Temporary goal that reflected the initial intensity of Spain.
2. 1-1 (min. 28)
   • Assistance: Justin Kluivert (step after center of Frimpong).
   • Description: Frimpong overflowed on the right and centrified. Cubarsí did not clear, Kluivert controlled and associated Gakpo, who shot the first stick from the edge of the girl area.
   • Context: Dutch answer after dominating possession and presiding.
3. 2-1 (min. 46) â tease Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands)
   • Assistance: Jeremie Frimpong.
   • Description: Just 39 seconds after the break, Frimpong cut the right and gave a precise pass to Reijnders, who adjusted the body and disposed of the long stick from 15 meters.
   • Context: Gol that previewed the explosive start of the second time.
4. 2-2 (min. 90+3)} Mikel Merino (Spanish)
   • Assistance: Nico Williams (previous).
   • Description: Williams shot from the left after an Olmo pass. Verbruggen could not hold the ball, and Merino, attentive to the bounce, pushed the balcony to the door from 2 meters.
   • Context: Garnish after the expulsion of Hato and the final Spanish president.

Political courts

1. Expulsion of Jorrel Hato (min. 82)
   • Description: Hato, already acclaimed, made an entrance with the tacos ahead over Mikel Oyarzabal in the midfield. István Kovács showed direct red after reviewing the VAR (according to AS USA).
   • Controversy: The Netherlands argued that the contact was not sufficient reason for the expulsion, while Spain argued that there was an obvious danger. Koeman described it as a “screw” during the press conference. In X, publications (e.g. @Domingortiz) generated found opinions: some considered it fair, while others saw it as a decisive factor for the tie.
2. Missing before 1-1
   • Description: In the Gakpo goal play, Spain protested a possible lack of Depay on Le Normand in the initial presiding. The rabbi left behind.
   • Controversy: Although not revised by VAR, means like The Peridium They suggested that he could have changed the course of the game if he was beeping.
3. Gol annulled to Spain (min. 60)
   • Description: Morata marcÃ3 after a Pedri pass, but the VAR annulled him out of the miliétrico game of Oyarzabal in the construction.
   • Controversy: adjusted diagnosis that frustrated Spain, although correct according to the images (BBC Sport).

Technical and practical angiosis

Netherlands (4-3-3)

• Practice: Koeman bet for a vertical game and quick transitions, exploiting the bands with Frimpong and Gakpo. The midfield (De Jong-Reijnders-Kluivert) sought to control the camp (52%) and press high (8 recoverys in rival camp).
• Fortress:
  • Frimpong as an offensive weapon (3 key centers, 1 assistance).
  • Reijnders and Gakpo lethal in definition (2 goals in 3 shots at door).
  • Van Dijk has been relieved in all duels (5/6 won) and defensive leadership.
• Skills:
  • Expulsion of Hato broke the structure (10 men in the last 10 minutes).
  • Insecure verbruggen in 2-2 (40% success in long balls, Givemesport).
• Statistics: 14 shots (5 to door), 52% possess, 86% rate of passes (Sofascore).

Spain (4-2-3-1)

• Practice: From the Fountain remained faithful to its style of play, prioritizing the possession of the ball (48%) and applying a high chair, achieving 10 recoverys in the rival field. Yamal and Williams stood open to stretch the defense, while Zubimendi and Fabián contributed balance on the double pivot. Morata, for his part, acted as the reference in attack.
• Fortress:
  • Williams incisive (1 goal, 1 indirect assistance, 3/4 regates).
  • Substitutes (Merino, Olmo) provided freshness and tie.
  • Resilience: 6 shots in the last 15 minutes after Hato’s red.
• Skills:
  • Yamal off (0/3 regates, annulled by Van Dijk-Hato).
  • Lack of contundence in the first time (1 shot at door in 45â⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄4⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2⁄2
• Statistics: 16 shots (6 to door), 48% possess, 88% rate of passes (Sofascore).

Comparative

• The Netherlands dominated the rhythm between the min. 20 and 60, with lethal transitions led by Frimpong. Spain, after a strong start, was diluted to the final stage, where its bench and the numerical superiority saved the tie. The 2-2 reflects a balanced party but with moments of alternating superiority.

Statements by players and trainers

• Ronald Koeman, Netherlands“It’s sad to fit so late. We didn’t deserve it. With 10 men it’s difficult, but we played with valenty and we were better. I’m proud of the team.UEFA.com).
• Nico Williams (Spanish)We knew it would be hard here. The tie gives us life for the return, but we must improve”BBC Sport).
• Luis de la Fuente (Spanish): â™a We don’t play our best game, but we show caricater. 2-2 makes us good for Valencia. Errors must be corrected (posts in X, @elgraficoweb).
• Mikel Merino (Spanish): â™a It’s a big deal for the goal, but there’s a lot left. They are strong, and we must be more consistent.AS USA).

Reactions of World Sports Daily

1. Brand (Spanish): “Merino rescues a suffering Spanish. Hato’s red and the final goal leave the open elimination for Valencia. ♪♪
2. AS (Spanish): “Again with polygon: the VAR and the expulsion change the script. Frimpong, Red’s headache. ♪♪
3. The Country (Spanish): â¦Spaña survives in Rotterdam thanks to its bench. The Netherlands deserved more, but the 2-2 is gold. ♪♪
4. The Guardian (United Kingdom): â™a Keep Spain alive. Netherlandsâ s brilliance undone by Hatoâ s red card.â
5. (France): â fakeUn match spectaculaire: les Néerlandais dominaient, mais lâ¦Espagne reste invaincue. Frimpong impressionne. ♪♪
6. Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy): â¦Spettacolo a Rotterdam: Olanda avanti, ma Merino saves Spagna. Hato, he’s wrong. ♪♪
7. De Telegraaf (Netherlands): “Oranje loses the victory in the last sigh. Frimpong and Reijnders shine, but red changes everything. ♪♪
8. ESPN (USA): â™a thriller in Rotterdam: Netherlands â™a fightback undone by Merinoâ™a stoppage-time goal.â
9. Olé (Argentina): â¦Spaña is saved over the time before the Netherlands. Gakpo and Frimpong, figures in a game. ♪♪
10. Bild (Germany): “Niederlande verspielt den Sieg. Spanien rettet sich mit Merino â™a alles offen fÃ1⁄4rs RÃ1⁄4ckspiel.â

Extended angiosis

• Game keys:
  • First time: Spain hit first with high chair, but the Netherlands reacted with a more fluid and vertical game, matching with justice.
  • Second time: The immediate goal of Reijnders gave advantage to the premises, which controlled to the expulsion. Spain, with offensive changes, took advantage of the last few minutes.
• Tactical impact: Koeman exceeded De la Fuente in intensity and transitions, but Hato’s red revealed the scale. Spain, less brilliant than in Euro 2024, showed resilience.
• Perspective: The 2-2 slightly favors Spain for playing home (Valencia, March 23), but Netherlands proved to be a fearsome rival if it maintains 11 players.

Conclusion

The match between the Netherlands and Spain ended 2-2 and was really exciting, with Frimpong uncovering himself as the most valuable player thanks to his great impact on the attack. There were political moments, such as Hato’s expulsion and an overriding goal, which kept the tension in the air, while Merino’s Agony tie left the elimination in a thread. Typically, the Dutch showed superiority at certain times, but Spain knew how to take advantage of its depth in the game. The international press agrees: it was a confrontation of titans yet to decide.