Spain 3–3 (5–4) Netherlands Player Ratings: Spain Edge Past the Netherlands on Penalties in a Blockbuster Quarter-Final Clash

The European champions progressed to the last 4 of the UEFA Nations League after dumping out the Netherlands on penalties at Estadio Mestalla. The tie had 10 goals traded between both teams with the second leg seeing 6 shared between them.

Mikel Oyarzabal was at his best to score a brace to give his side the lead on both occasions. However, they were pegged back twice by the Netherlands by goals from Memphis Depay and Ian Maatsen to force extra-time in the tie. Even in extra-time Spain weren’t able to hold onto the lead given by Lamine Yamal as Xavi Simons equalised with a penalty.

Luis de la Fuente had a key change in every third of the field from the previous week’s lineup. In defence, he started Oscar Mingueza at right-back ahead of Pedro Porro. Pau Cubarsi’s injury midgame last week meant Robin le Normand started at the heart of the defence. In midfield, it was Dani Olmo who started ahead of Pedri. Alvaro Morata missed out in attack due to an illness as Mikel Oyarazabal filled in his stead.

Ronald Koeman was without Jarrell Hato who was sent off in the previous game. It was the only forced change that Koeman had to make to his lineup. Ian Maatsen made his international debut as he replaced Hato adding more attacking threat from the left-back position. Memphis Depay earned another start as the leader of attack for the Oranje to bring up a historic 100th cap for the national side.

Spain started playing some lovely fluid football since the off. It proved to be effective as Mikel Oyarzabal received a ball from midfield and was bundled down from behind by Jan Paul Van Hecke. The referee had no hesitation in pointing it to the spot in the sixth minute. Oyarzabal himself stepped up to take the resulting penalty and blasted into his right bottom corner to give Spain the lead again in the tie. Bart Verbruggen dived to the right way but the power in the penalty was too much as it found its way inside.

Oyarzabal thought he made it 2-0 on the night shortly afterwards but was denied by an offside call. Nico Williams then had an attempt from a fast break saved. The Netherlands slowly found their footing in the game by keeping more hold of the ball. Cody Gakpo and Justin Kluivert combined to create a shot that the latter took.

Despite odd chances here and there, the half ended with Spain carrying a single-goal advantage. It left us waiting for a thrilling second half as the Netherlands had to throw everything at the game.

Dani Olmo had a huge chance in the opening minute of the second half but Frenkie de Jong threw himself onto the ground to deny him. But it was the Netherlands who hit back in the second half. Depay was wrestled down by Le Normand in front of the referee in the box and he needed no second thoughts to award a penalty to the visitors.

On his 100th appearance, Depay stepped up and blasted the penalty right down the middle to score his 47th goal for the country. He is just three behind Robin van Persie to match him as the nation’s highest goalscorer. The goal boosted the Dutch morale as they created better openings and Jeremie Frimpong shot high just afterwards. Depay himself launched another curler from outside the box but Unai Simon made a good save.

After some Dutch pressure, La Roja went the other way and struck the decisive blow. They emerged on a fast break as Williams and Oyarzabal were up against the opposing centre-backs. Williams slipped through Oyarzabal who was left alone after some shambolic defending. The Real Sociedad man hit Vergruggen with his chipped effort the first time. But the ball lobbed into his path nicely for an easy header into the empty net to give his side the lead again.

The Netherlands responded with a trio of attacking substitutions. It got an instant response as Noa Lang won the ball and Xavi Simons found Ian Maatsen in the box. The debutant full-back took a touch before drilling a thumping finish past Unai Simon to restore parity in the tie in the 79th minute.

Both sides then had a spring in their step to find a winner within the normal 90 minutes to avoid the extra time. The defenders were determined to not let their guard down. Multiple last-ditch blocks and great interceptions meant we were destined for extra time to determine the winner.

The players were running on fumes this deep in the season as these 30 minutes could take an extreme toll on them. As a result, they were cautious in their approach and it impacted the quality of the game.

Dean Huijsen played a ball over the top in the 103rd minute. Lamine Yamal brought it down with a magical touch and cut past Maatsen before curling a sumptuous finish home. The 17-year-old continued his habit of scoring key late goals to swing the game in his side’s favour yet again.

La Roja were 15 minutes away from the semis but they knew they couldn’t allow a 3rd equaliser on the night in the second period of the extra time. But their hopes fell away when Unai Simon flew out of goal and swiped down Simons to concede a penalty. The substitute stepped up and scored with aplomb to register the sixth goal of the game and the 10th of the tie in a blockbuster quarterfinal.

Donyell Malen nearly scored with the last kick of the game as there was no separation between these sides after 210 minutes of high-quality football. The tie headed to dreaded penalty shootouts as one side had to fall.

The Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk started the shootout with a scrappy penalty and the quality grew with each penalty. Noa Lang missed his first penalty as he rattled the crossbar. He received a huge reprive when Yamal’s first penalty of his senior career was saved by Verbruggen. A couple of kicks later, sudden death was inevitable in the shootout as well.

Donyell Malen was denied excellently by Unai Simon and Spain had the chance to seal it. Pedri stepped up and blasted into the top corner as Spain sealed their progression.

Spain will now take on Germany in the semis in June in the next international break. The Netherlands meanwhile face more heartbreak from 12 yards and will resume start their 2026 World Cup qualification soon.

Spain Player Ratings

GK – Unai Simon – 6.5/10

He was a spectator for large parts as the visitors failed to create clear-cut chances. Had no answers to Depay’s penalty and was regularly involved in the second half. Came out rashly to concede a penalty late in the game. An excellent save to thwart Malen in sudden death.

RB – Oscar Mingueza – 6/10

Earned a surprise start ahead of Pedro Porro. Did well enough defensively to hang on with the dangerous Cody Gakpo. Was very determined late on to track the dangerous runners on his wing.

CB – Robin le Normand – 6.5/10

Involved in some bold playing out from the back early on to relieve some pressure. A poor wrestling takedown on Depay to concede a needless penalty.

CB – Dean Huijsen – 7/10

Yet another impressive outing for the youngster as he looks right at home in a fast-paced environment under pressure. Did make a mistake late in the game but the bouncing ball was not punished. Played a fantastic long pass to Yamal for the winner.

LB – Marc Cucrella – 6.5/10

He had a repeat of last week’s defensive nightmare against Jeremie Frimpong. This time he was better prepared and had a helping hand from others.

CM – Dani Olmo – 6.5/10

Named in a midfield three, he was expected to contribute to attack as well as defence. Was present defensively when needed but the attacking spark was missing early on. Gave the ball away in a dangerous position in the buildup to the Netherlands’ second goal.

CM – Martin Zubimendi – 7/10

Thriving as the deepest-lying midfielder for Spain. He made crucial interceptions when needed and won the ball cleanly. Nothing too flashy with his passes but got the job done.

CM – Fabian Ruiz – 6/10

The 28-year-old had a mixed first half as he took the box-to-box role. Had some passes forward that didn’t amount to much. It was touch-and-go for him defensively as well.

RW – Lamine Yamal – 8/10

Yamal was well silenced by Maatsen who was quite attacking as well. Almost picked up an assist as he slipped Oyarzabal through but the flag was raised. Showed great work rate in tracking Gakpo and cut some passes. Patiently waited for his chance as he brought down Huijsen’s pass with a magic touch and scored a trademark finish into the bottom corner. Missed the first penalty of his senior career.

ST – Mikel Oyarzabal – 9/10

Led the line from the start and won the penalty with his slick movement. Confidently took his chance and could’ve added two more goals if not for some offside plays. A well-taken second goal with his last action of the day.

LW – Nico Williams – 8/10

Spain’s best attacker on the night as he had chances after chance on the break. Should’ve walked away with some returns easily as he was denied by a determined goalkeeper and defence.

Sub – Ferran Torres- 6/10

Back at the stadium where it all started, he was very anonymous going forward.

Sub – Mikel Merino – 6/10

Couldnt replace the heroics from the first leg where he scored late on.

Sub – Pedri – 6/10

Looked effective in running with the ball as soon as he came on but couldn’t get anything tangible. Scored the winning penalty.

Sub – Pedro Porro – 6/10

Did his job defensively to see out the game.

Sub – Alex Garcia – 6/10

Sub – Alex Baena – 6/10

Manager – Luis de la Fuente – 7/10

Made some bold changes to the lineup and every change got him some joy. His side is nearly invincible as they refuse to lose a game of football. They win with style too as the attack is flowing with talent and the defence is rock solid as ever.

Netherlands Player Ratings

GK – Bart Verbruggen – 7/10

Guessed the right way for Oyarzabal’s penalty but was unable to save it. Multiple huge saves to deny Williams and Yamal. A good save to keep Yamal out in the shootout.

RB – Lutsharel Geertruida – 7/10

Though it looked like Williams got the better of him, he stood his ground multiple times to walk away with the ball and push forward.

CB – Jan Paul van Hecke – 5/10

An unnecessary shove on Oyarzabal to concede a penalty early in the game. He did recover from it with some neat passes and good plays. Another questionable challenge on Williams allowing him to play Oyarzabal in for the second goal.

CB – Virgil van Dijk – 6/10

The man Mountain was in the right place at the right time to thwart multiple crosses coming into the middle. He did step up when needed to lay some offside traps. However, left his man free as Spain took the lead.

LB – Ian Maatsen – 9/10

An excellent display on his debut. Was assured in defending to thwart Yamal. Combined well with Gakpo on the left to bomb forward as well. Scored a sensational equaliser as he put his laces through on a finish.

DM – Frenkie de Jong – 7.5/10

Had one of his best games for his country. Sat back and won the ball multiple times. He camped at the edge of the box in attack and tried to get a goal that could get his side back in the game.

DM – Tijjani Reijnders – 6.5/10

He had a shot early on in the game but was unable to create anything on substance later on. Defensively he was found wanting as Spain launched multiple quick breaks and found the Dutch short at the back always. Improved as the game went on.

RW – Jeremie Frimpong – 7/10

He was the answer to Spain’s Williams as he made up-and-down runs down the right wing. Put Cucurella on skateboards multiple times to put in multiple dangerous crosses. Moved to right-back late in the game and silenced Williams well.

CAM – Justin Kluivert – 7/10

Continues his fine form with yet another good performance. He didn’t get an attacking return but he was all over the pitch asking for the ball to create multiple chances.

LW – Cody Gakpo – 7/10

Always looking to drive at the opposition fullback, he did well to ask some questions of Spain. Combined well with Maatsen to open up new routes to the goal.

ST – Memphis Depay – 8.5/10

He wanted a penalty in the first half but got his wish come true in the second half as was wiped out by Le Normand. Scored it with ease and looked like a man with a mission later on. Kept running endlessly to be in the hunt for a goal.

Sub – Xavi Simons – 8/10

Added energy and creativity as soon as he came on. Found Maatsen in the box with a crisp pass as the fullback scored the much-needed equaliser. Won a penalty in the extra time and scored it as well.

Sub – Noa Lang – 6.5/10

Excellent anticipation to win the loose ball from Dani Olmo and awareness to pick out Simons under pressure in the build-up to the second goal. Missed his penalty in the shootouts.

Sub – Donyell Malen – 6/10

Had the chance to win the game in the 120th minute but he couldn’t beat Unai Simon in goal. Missed a penalty in sudden death.

Sub – Brian Brobbey – 6/10

Sub – Kenneth Taylor- 6/10

Sub – Teun Koopemeiners – N/A

Manager – Ronald Koeman – 7/10

His choice to give a debut to Ian Maatsen proved to be a masterstroke as the fullback was the difference in the game. His in-game management was particularly impressive too as the attacking subs got him a goal. Unfortunately, they couldn’t progress due to poor penalties.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Ian Maatsen