Spain 3-3 Netherlands: Drama, goals and victory in the criminality sludge

The exciting match back from the final quarters of the UEFA Nations League between Spain and the Netherlands, which took place on March 23, 2025 in Mestalla, Valencia, was a real football show. After 120 minutes of pure adrenaline, the score ended on a 3-3 tie, and the tanda de penaltis decided that Spain would advance to the semifinals with a 5-4. This event, marked by its intensity, impressive goals and palpable drama, left a legacy full of technical-tactical analysis, controversy and reactions worldwide. Then we will break down this “head” in detail.

Technical and tactical analysis

The duel was a clash of styles between two selections with offensive philosophies marked by possession and verticality, but with different nuances:

1. Spain (4-2-3-1 initial):
   Luis de la Fuente bet for an eleven renewed respect to the one way (2-2 in Rotterdam), with Mingueza, Huijsen, Dani Olmo and Oyarzabal as news. Tactically, Spain sought to dominate possession (56% at the end of the party) and press high to recover quickly in rival camp. The Zubimendi-Fabián dup on the double pivot gave solidity in the balloon exit, while Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams exploded the bands with speed and overflow.
   • Offensive phase: Spain prioritized quick attacks after recovery, with Oyarzabal as a mobile reference and Dani Olmo connecting lines. The tempranero goal of penalti (minut 8) allowed a controlled fold to yield initiative and search for contragolpes.
   • Defensive phase: The team suffered in fast Dutch transitions, especially in the center, where Huijsen and Le Normand left spaces. The entry of Merino and Pedri in the second half contributed more control, but the extension exposed fatigue in the bands.
   • Tactical code: The ability to adapt De la Fuente, adjusting the pressing and refreshing the equipment with changes like Ferran Torres and Álex Baena, kept Spain competitive to the penalty.
2. Netherlands (4-3-3):
   Ronald Koeman held his bet for a dynamic football, with Memphis Depay as an offensive axis and Frimpong and Gakpo opening the field. The trivote Kluivert-Reijnders-De Jong sought to balance creation and containment, although Frenkie de Jong, even far from his best level after injury, did not make any difference.
   • Offensive phase: The Dutch highlighted in fast transitions and long balls to the bands, taking advantage of the speed of Frimpong and the quality of Memphis. The goals of Maatsen (square shot) and Xavi Simons (penalti) showed their ability to react under pressure.
   • Defensive phase: The van Dijk-led rope had problems with the Oyarzabal detachments and the Yamal internships. The triple change in the 78’ (Simons, Lang and Malen) gave freshness and tied the party, forcing the extension.
   • Tactical code: Resilience to get up three times after going behind, combined with high pressure in the final stage, led the party to the criminals, although they lacked precision in the final definition.
3. Evolution of party:
   • Part one: Spain dominated with a temporary goal of Oyarzabal (penalti, min. 8) and clear occasions of Nico Williams, but the Netherlands grew in possession without concrete.
   • Part two: Memphis empató de penalti (min. 54), Oyarzabal responded with a doublette (min. 67), and Maatsen matched with a coup (min. 79), showing a constant exchange of blows.
   • Extension: Lamine Yamal advanced to Spain with a sublime zurdazo (min. 103), but a penalty committed by Unai Simón allowed Xavi Simons to empatar (min. 109).
   • Penalties: Spain was more effective (5/6) compared to the faults of Lang (travesaño) and Malen (parated by Simon).

MVP Party

Once Simon stood out as the most valuable player of the encounter. The goalkeeper of the Athletic Club was fundamental in the criminals’ stool, where he managed to stop the Donyell Malen shooting, thus ensuring the pass to the semifinals. Throughout the match, he made several impressive stops, including a hand-in-hand with Memphis in the second half and a shot of Reijnders during the extension. Although his penalty on Xavi Simons in the 107th minute could have had serious consequences, his leadership and calm in the decisive moments made him the true hero of Mestalla.

Honourable mentions:

• Mikel Oyarzabal: Double (penalti and head after rest) and tireless work.
• Lamine Yamal: Strike in the extension and constant danger, despite the failure of their criminality.

Polemics

1. Unai Simón Penalty on Xavi Simons (min. 107):
   In the extension, Simon shot down Simons in the area after the Dutchman controlled the ball. The arbitrator’s decision was clear, but he unleashed a debate about whether he deserved an expulsion (only yellow) because he was a move that could clearly have led to a goal. The Spanish press considered it a “human error”, while the Dutch (De Telegraaf) described it as an “arbitrary injustice”.
2. VAR absence in doubtful play:
   Although the VAR was present in the decisions of the criminals, there were certain moves, such as a possible out of play in the second goal of Oyarzabal or a contact of Cucurella with Frimpong, which were not thoroughly reviewed. This has generated criticism of the inconsistency in its application.
3. Polemic statements against Lamine Yamal:
   Before the match, Rafael van der Vaart, the Dutch ex-player, did not stop and criticize Yamal in Ziggo Sport, saying: “I am upset by his attitude, with his shorts, as if he were an untouchable star.” After the meeting, where Yamal made a coup but also failed a penalti, social media broke out with comments. Some Dutch users called him “presumptuous,” while Van der Vaart reiterated after the party: “He is talented, but he needs humility.” Yamal’s response on Instagram (“Pantalones down, a goal, a failed criminal and semi-finals, hehehe”) was enthusiastically received by the Spanish hobby, which considered it a monumental thread.

Golazos

1. Lamine Yamal (min. 103):
   A long pass from Huijsen came to Yamal, who received it with great class, haggled Maatsen and defined with a cross-leaf at the angle. It was a goal that showed a perfect blend of technique, vision and precision, acclaimed worldwide as an “work of art” (L’Équipe).
2. Ian Maatsen (min. 79):
   After an Xavi Simons pass, the Chelsea side threw a powerful left to the squad, leaving Unai Simon with no options. It was an unstoppable shot that managed to tie the game and that The Guardian highlighted as “a moment of genius.”

Postpartite: Statements

1. Players:
   • Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain): “We suffer a lot, but this team has a heart. The Netherlands is a team, and it has a lot of merit.”
   • Lamine Yamal (Spain): “The goal gave me joy, the failed rabbi, but the important thing is that we are in semis. Van der Vaart said, “We’re going on.”
   • Unai Simón (Spain): “Criminaltis are a lottery, but we trust our work. Stoping Malen was key.”
   • Memphis Depay, Netherlands: “We got you from you with the European champion. We deserve more, but football is like that.”
   • Xavi Simons, Netherlands: “We said everything, we packed three times, but the criminals killed us. I’m proud of the team.”
2. Trainers:
   • Luis de la Fuente (Spain): “A match that seemed to be an end. The Netherlands is very strong, but today we were more recognizable, as in the Euro Cup. Unai and the boys are exceptional.”
   • Ronald Koeman, Netherlands: “He has not won the best team. We both deserved to pass, but they had more luck in the criminals. I’m proud of how we compete.”
3. World Press:
   • SpainBrand brand): “Spain suffers, but flies to semifinals with Unai as a hero and Lamine as a genius.”
   • Netherlands (De Telegraaf): “Once again Spain breaks our heart. Great party, cruel end.”
   • France (L’Équipe): “A Spain-Netherlands of madness. The semi-final against France will be epic.”
   • England (BBC): “A festival of goals and emotions. Spain shows why it is a champion of Europe”.
   • ArgentinaOlé): “Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old pibe that is already world crack. Spain has a future.”

Extended analysis

The match between Spain and the Netherlands was a real reflection of modern football: full of intensity, surprises and a lot of young talent. Typically, Spain demonstrated its flexibility, alternating between a high pressure and an effective withdrawal, although it left some holes in its defense that the Dutch could take advantage of. With their ability to react and their focus on vertical football, the Netherlands put the European champion in trouble, but their lack of puncture in the criminals (with Lang and Malen faults) cost them.

The meeting also sparked by its individual protagonists: Unai Simón became the savior, Oyarzabal was the silent killer and Yamal stood out as a rising star. Disputes, especially criticism of Yamal, gave an extra touch to a duel that was already exciting. The international press agreed that it was a confrontation worthy of an end, consolidating Spain as the favorite for the Final Four in June 2025 against France, while the Netherlands remained with the bitterness of another elimination in the face of its historical “black beast”.

In short, this “partidazo” was not only a football show, but a new chapter in the rivalry between Spain and the Netherlands, full of goals, drama and a series of penalties that kept Mestalla and the whole world on the verge of the seat.