Match report
Netherlands 2–2 Spain: UEFA Nations League Draw in Thrilling Match
Netherlands
2–2
FT
Spain
Mar 20, 2025
In a pulsating UEFA Nations League encounter, Netherlands held off Spain to secure a 2–2 draw. Nico Williams and Mikel Merino found the back of the net for Spain, while Cody Gakpo and Teun Reijnders responded for the Dutch in a game filled with twists and turns.
Key Facts
- • Nico Williams (Spain) opened the scoring in the 9th minute with an assist from Pedri
- • Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) equalized in the 28th minute with an assist from Justin Kluivert
- • Teun Reijnders (Netherlands) scored the second goal in the 46th minute with an assist from Jeremie Frimpong
- • Mikel Merino (Spain) netted the equalizer in the 93rd minute
- • Netherlands were reduced to ten men after Jorrit Hato was sent off in the 81st minute
Lineups
Netherlands
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 B. Verbruggen (G)
- 2 L. Geertruida (D)
- 6 J. van Hecke (D)
- 4 V. van Dijk (D)
- 5 J. Hato (D)
- 14 T. Reijnders (M)
- 21 F. de Jong (M)
- 12 J. Frimpong (M)
- 19 J. Kluivert (M)
- 11 C. Gakpo (M)
- 10 M. Depay (F)
Substitutes
- 7 X. Simons
- 8 T. Koopmeiners
- 15 M. de Ligt
- 20 M. Wieffer
- 22 Y. Baas
- 16 K. Taylor
- 18 D. Malen
- 9 B. Brobbey
- 23 M. Flekken
- 17 N. Lang
- 13 N. Olij
Spain
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI
- 23 Unai Simón (G)
- 2 Pedro Porro (D)
- 5 Robin Le Normand (D)
- 4 Pau Cubarsí (D)
- 22 Marc Cucurella (D)
- 20 Pedri (M)
- 18 Martín Zubimendi (M)
- 8 Fabián Ruiz (M)
- 19 Lamine Yamal (F)
- 7 Álvaro Morata (F)
- 17 Nico Williams (F)
Substitutes
- 14 Dean Huijsen
- 9 Ayoze Pérez
- 10 Dani Olmo
- 21 Mikel Oyarzabal
- 6 Mikel Merino
- 15 Aleix García
- 1 David Raya
- 16 Álex Baena
- 11 Samu Aghehowa
- 3 Álex Grimaldo
- 13 Álex Remiro
- 12 Óscar Mingueza
Timeline
-
9' Spain Goal · Normal GoalNico Williams · Assist: Pedri
-
28' Netherlands Goal · Normal GoalC. Gakpo · Assist: J. Kluivert
-
41' Spain subst · Substitution 1Off: P. Cubarsi · On: Dean Huijsen
-
45'+1 Netherlands Card · Yellow CardC. Gakpo
Foul
-
46' Netherlands Goal · Normal GoalT. Reijnders · Assist: Jeremie Frimpong
-
61' Spain Card · Yellow CardDean Huijsen
Foul
-
66' Spain subst · Substitution 2Off: A. Morata · On: A. Perez
-
66' Spain subst · Substitution 3Off: Pedri · On: D. Olmo
-
66' Spain subst · Substitution 4Off: Lamine Yamal · On: M. Oyarzabal
-
72' Spain Card · Yellow CardA. Perez
Foul
-
74' Netherlands subst · Substitution 1Off: J. Kluivert · On: Xavi Simons
-
74' Netherlands subst · Substitution 2Off: Frenkie de Jong · On: T. Koopmeiners
-
79' Netherlands Card · Yellow CardV. van Dijk
Argument
-
81' Netherlands Card · Red CardJ. Hato
Foul
-
84' Netherlands subst · Substitution 3Off: M. Depay · On: M. de Ligt
-
84' Spain subst · Substitution 5Off: F. Ruiz · On: M. Merino
-
90'+1 Netherlands subst · Substitution 4Off: T. Reijnders · On: Mats Wieffer
-
90'+3 Spain Goal · Normal GoalM. Merino
Match Stats
| Stat | Netherlands | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 14 | 7 |
| Pass Accuracy | 82% | 90% |
| Offsides | 0 | 1 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
| Total Shots | 10 | 15 |
| Corners | 2 | 4 |
| Total Passes | 424 | 629 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Blocked Shots | 1 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 6 |
| xG | — | — |
| Shots off Target | 5 | 4 |
| Possession | 40% | 60% |
| Goals Prevented | — | — |
| Accurate Passes | 349 | 564 |
| Shots Inside Box | 6 | 12 |
| Saves | 5 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 3 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Spain took an early lead thanks to Nico Williams' goal, but Netherlands quickly equalized through Cody Gakpo, shifting the momentum back in their favor.
- ▸ The turning point came in the second half when Teun Reijnders scored to give Netherlands a 2-1 lead, but Spain showed resilience and equalized through Mikel Merino in the dying minutes of the match.