Netherlands 2-2 Spain Player Ratings: Mikel Merino Preserves Spain’s Unbeaten Streak After Thrilling UEFA Nations League Clash
The Netherlands played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Spain in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal at the Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam on March 20, 2025. Spain took the lead through Nico Williams in the 9th minute, before Cody Gakpo (28th minute) and Tijani Reijnders (46th minute) made the comeback for the hosts. However, Jorrel Hato was sent off in the final stages, allowing Spain to score a late equalizer through Mikel Merino to take a draw to the second leg.
Spain headed into the game with utmost confidence and nearly took the lead in the second minute itself. Pedri was played through into the box by Fabian Ruiz’s pass, but his effort was denied by Bart Verbruggen. La Roja witnessed their early pressure validated in the ninth minute, as Lamine Yamal cleverly won back the ball and played it to Pedri, who laid it off for Nico Williams to score from close range.
The visitors had a chance to double their lead in the 18th minute, but Alvaro Morata was only able to guide his header wide of the target. After their sloppy start, the Netherlands side came back strongly by harassing Spain with a barrage of attacking moves. They equalized in the 28th minute thanks to a powerful finish from Cody Gakpo from inside the box.
Yamal went close to regaining his side’s lead in the 35th minute, with his shot being denied pretty well. In the 41st minute, Jorrel Hato’s header was hurriedly saved by Unai Simon. A minute later, Tijani Reijnders struck a venomous volley that struck the crossbar before going out. Yamal had a late free-kick go wide, with Spain looking nervous heading into the half-time break.
The Netherlands side came firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the second half, taking the lead in the 46th minute through an explosive finish from Tijani Reijnders. The Spanish players pushed hard to get back into the game, but the Dutch had two more chances with Justin Kluivert hitting a shot over the bar in the 51st minute before Gakpo’s effort was saved in the 58th minute.
La Roja found it tough to get genuine chances but was given a huge gift in the 82nd minute as Jorrel Hato was sent off for a reckless challenge. Spain smelled blood after that, with Williams having a shot denied well in the 86th minute. Despite the Dutch showing decent resilience, that was broken in the 93rd minute as substitute Mikel Merino scored from a rebound to salvage a decent result for his side and stretch their unbeaten streak to 23 games.
Netherlands Player Ratings
GK – Bart Verbruggen – 5/10
Vergbruggen was sharp with some of his reflex saves, popping up in the right areas to frustrate the Spanish players. But he was uncompelling with his passing and too easily ousted for Williams’ goal. Diverted Williams’ late shot straight into Merino’s path for his goal.
RB – Lutsharel Geertruida – 5/10
The Netherlands right-back had a tough time dealing with the sparky Williams. He struggled to stop his movement down the left wing and was totally outwitted by Williams for his goal.
CB – Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.5/10
The Brighton & Hove Albion defender read the opposition moves really well. He often popped up in the right areas to clear out danger, making 12 clearances to neutralize Spain’s attacking threat for the majority.
CB – Virgil van Dijk – 6/10
Van Dijk helped maintain a pretty sturdy defensive shape for the Netherlands, marshaling a pretty tight backline. He popped up with key challenges all game long, but couldn’t help them grind through a result.
LB – Jorrel Hato – 3/10
Hato didn’t look at ease against Lamine Yamal and made a poor error leading to Williams’ goal, giving the ball away in a bad position. Then sent off for a horrible studs-up challenge on Le Normand.
CM – Frenkie de Jong – 6.5/10
The Barcelona midfielder was a proactive figure in midfield, covering a lot of ground to keep things ticking with his clever distribution. He helped out defensively too and ensured Spain didn’t dominate the central areas that easily.
CM – Tijani Reijnders – 7.5/10
Reijnders was a tormenting factor for the Spanish midfielders with his clever off-the-ball movement and application in the final third. He drove his side forward with his impressive forward passes and then scored a brilliant goal with a slick left-footed finish from outside the box.
RW – Jeremie Frimpong – 7/10
Frimpong was a menacing figure on the right wing, being a highly energetic figure all through the match. He was a constant threat by whipping in inviting crosses into the box and delivered a great pass for Reijnders cross, while also working hard defensively by winning 11 duels! But he lost a key duel against Williams for the late goal.
AM – Justin Kluivert – 6.5/10
Kluivert was a refreshing figure in the Spain half, moving the ball into the danger areas pretty well. He played a nice little pass to set up Gakpo’s goal and was impressive with his movement too.
LW – Cody Gakpo – 7.5/10
Gakpo caused a lot of trouble for the Spanish backline with his unpredictable runs through the left and smart positioning in the final third. He brought things level with a powerful finish from inside the box and energized his frontline with his smart movement.
CF – Memphis Depay – 5/10
Memphis Depay couldn’t really threaten the Spanish goal with any dangerous shots, but he linked up nicely to free up those around him.
SUB – Teun Koopmeiners – 6/10
Koopmeiners was forced to work hard to help preserve his side’s lead, which he did relatively well.
SUB – Xavi Simons – 5.8/10
Simons failed to bring any driving factor for the Dutch side and couldn’t create anything special.
SUB – Matthijs de Ligt – N/R
Couldn’t help his side get over the line.
SUB – Mats Wieffer – N/R
Caught in a bad position for the Merino goal.
Manager – Ronald Koeman – 6.5/10
Koeman witnessed his side have a pretty awful start, with Spain dominating from the get-go and scoring after a defensive mix-up. However, he motivated his players to raise their energy levels after that and be clinical on the fast breaks. He piled more bodies forward and ensured that the Dutch players pressed more smartly, forcing the Spanish players into uncomfortable positions. Couldn’t manage the late game well enough to guide his side to a win.
Spain Player Ratings
GK – Unai Simon – 6/10
Simon was helpless to stop Gakpo’s powerful shot, but his positioning could’ve potentially been better for Reijnders’ goal. Did well with his passing work.
RB – Pedro Porro – 5.5/10
Porro had quite a lot of trouble dealing with the energetic Gakpo in the wide areas. He won a few vital challenges but was often overlapped by the winger and easily allowed him to take the shot for his goal.
CB – Pau Cubarsi – 6/10
Cubarsi was a proactive figure against Netherlands’ attacks in the first half, coming up with a key number of clearances. Moved the ball around nicely, but had to be substituted in the first half because of an injury.
CB – Robin le Normand – 6/10
The Atletico Madrid defender couldn’t really maintain a sharp enough defensive shape for his side. He was caught out of position for the second goal and failed to add that composure to his side’s backline.
LB – Marc Cucurella – 6/10
Cucurella had a pretty impressive first, making some vital tackles and challenges to trouble the hosts. But he was easily outpaced and outwitted by Frimpong for the second goal and had trouble with the fast breaks.
CM – Martin Zubimendi – 6/10
The Real Sociedad midfielder had a difficult time dealing with the Netherlands’ counter-attacks through the central areas. Despite making a number of interceptions, he couldn’t really disrupt their movement or track Reijnders for his goal.
CM – Pedri – 7/10
Pedri was a wily figure in the midfield, being really smart with his distribution and link-up play to be a problem for the hosts. He made a smart pass for Williams’ goal and did well with his defensive contribution too.
CM – Fabian Ruiz – 6.5/10
The PSG man was sharp with his passing, making inviting forward passes throughout the game and being efficient with his distribution. He helped regain the possession quite a few times but was caught in a few awkward positions in the game.
RW – Lamine Yamal – 6/10
Yamal played a key role in the first goal, as it was his excellent pressing and ability to win back the ball that got things rolling. He made a few nice runs, but his finishing wasn’t that lethal.
LW – Nico Williams – 8/10
Nico Williams was a real livewire moving through the left wing, always making unpredictable runs through the wide areas. He popped up in the right way before outwitting Geertuida for his impressive goal and remained a threat with his blistering runs. It was his shot that helped force Merino’s goal.
CF – Alvaro Morata – 5/10
Morata was more of a link-up figure for the Spanish side on the night, taking the simple way out with his passes. Failed to come close to scoring.
SUB – Dean Hujsen – 7/10
Hujsen had a pretty solid international debut for Spain, being a fighting spirit at the backline. He came up with some clutch challenges to regain possession and moved the ball along nicely.
SUB – Dani Olmo – 7/10
Olmo was really impressive with his clever passes into the final third and smart link-up play after coming on, but nobody could finish off the chances he created.
SUB – Ayoze Perez – 5/10
Perez had a forgettable outing as a substitute, fluffing quite a few chances and making very little impact in the frontline
SUB – Mikel Oyarzabal – 5.5/10
The Real Sociedad man was able to get in some nice areas in the box, but his final product was awry.
SUB – Mikel Merino – 7/10
Popped up in the right place to score from a rebound and save his side from a loss.
Manager – Luis de La Fuente – 6.5/10
De La Fuente ensured his side started the game in dominant fashion, using their smart passing style and pressing to torment the Dutch players. But his decision to set back after the lead cost Spain, as they gave the Netherlands the confidence to push at them and then take the lead. Fortunately for the gaffer, his substitutions worked well and played a key role in salvaging the draw.
Sportsdunia’s Man of the Match Goes to Nico Williams.
FAQs
What was the result of Netherlands vs Spain?
Netherlands 2-2 Spain.
When was the Netherlands vs Spain?
The Netherlands vs Spain match took place at the Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam at 7:45 PM GMT on March 20, 2025.
Who was the Man of the Match in Netherlands vs Spain?
Nico Williams was the Man of the Match in Netherlands vs Spain.
Who was the worst player in Netherlands vs Spain?
Jorrel Hato was the worst player in Netherlands vs Spain.
