Netherlands vs Spain: Goals, Drama, and a Last-Gasp Spanish Lifeline
If you thought the Netherlands vs Spain clash in the Nations League quarter-final first leg was going to be a snooze-fest, you must’ve tuned in to the wrong game — or to golf. From Cody Gakpo’s stylish strike to Mikel Merino’s 93rd-minute equalizer, this was a match packed with flair, fire, and one extremely unfortunate red card.
In Rotterdam, Spain came in like defending champions, took the lead early like they owned the pitch, and then promptly let the Dutch orange storm all over them — until the 93rd minute, when Mikel Merino said “¡No pasa nada!” and rescued a 2-2 draw.
Nico Williams Starts, Netherlands Says “Hold My Stroopwafel”
Spain opened the scoring through the ever-electric Nico Williams, who might’ve borrowed a Red Bull before kickoff. His early goal gave fans hope that Spain would cruise. But this is the Nations League — chaos is part of the ticket price.
Enter the Netherlands, stage right.
Cody Gakpo — Liverpool’s sleek winger and part-time Spanish tormentor — tied things up with a composed finish. Then came Tijjani Reijnders, who took the script, ripped it, and said, “Let’s make this interesting.” His goal gave the Dutch a 2-1 lead and had Ronald Koeman grinning like a man who just found free parking in Amsterdam.
Jorrel Hato’s Teenage Moment: “Oops, Red Card”
Just as things were heating up, 17-year-old Jorrel Hato decided to give Spain a little helping hand… or rather, a helping foot. His late challenge on Robin Le Normand earned him a red card in the 81st minute, putting the Netherlands down to 10 men and forcing Koeman to age about five years on the touchline.
“It’s sad to concede late. We didn’t deserve that,” Koeman sighed, possibly while Googling “how to reverse red cards.”
Mikel Merino: The Injury-Time Hero Spain Didn’t Deserve but Desperately Needed
With Spain’s two-year unbeaten streak dangling off the edge like a piñata in a windstorm, Nico Williams turned creator again, firing a shot that Bart Verbruggen could only parry into the path of Merino, who said “Gracias” and thumped it home.
2-2. Breathless. And not just because Spanish fans forgot how to exhale.
The result keeps Spain’s Nations League hopes alive, even if they probably owe Hato a thank-you card (and a fruit basket).
Elsewhere in the Nations League: Things Got Weird
While Netherlands vs Spain was hogging the drama spotlight, the rest of Europe wasn’t exactly chilling:
- Croatia beat France 2-0, because revenge is a dish best served with a Budimir header and an Ivan Perisic volley.
- Germany came back to beat Italy 2-1, with Joshua Kimmich showing he’s not just a midfielder — he’s a GPS for assists.
- Denmark and Rasmus Hojlund snuck past Portugal 1-0, while Cristiano Ronaldo tried to remember what joy felt like.
And in relegation-promotion chaos:
- Ukraine stunned Belgium 3-1 — Lukaku scored, but Ukraine decided three’s better than one.
- Turkey, Scotland, and Serbia all got solid results, though nobody’s quite sure what they’re promoting or relegating into anymore. (UEFA, pls explain.)
FAQs
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with Mikel Merino scoring a dramatic equalizer in the 93rd minute.
Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders each scored to give the Dutch a temporary 2-1 lead.
He made a rash challenge on Spain’s Robin Le Normand in the 81st minute, reducing the Netherlands to 10 men.
That depends. They had the early lead and the late equalizer… but were also outplayed for most of the game. Thank Hato and Merino for the point.
The return leg will take place Sunday, where all eyes will be on who finishes what this time.
Conclusion: Netherlands vs Spain – Chaos, Cards, and Clutch Goals
The Netherlands vs Spain first leg was like a Dutch windmill caught in a Spanish thunderstorm — fast, dramatic, and with the occasional flying red card. Spain kept their unbeaten record intact thanks to Mikel Merino, while the Dutch were left wondering what could’ve been if they’d kept 11 men on the pitch.
We’ll be tuning in Sunday for the sequel. Will Spain finish the job? Will Hato get a hug? Will Gakpo continue to be a nightmare in orange? One thing’s certain: if this match was any indication, we’re in for another wild ride.
