Mikel Merino came up with a last-gasp leveller as Spain fought back to draw 2-2 with 10-man Netherlands in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final in Rotterdam on Thursday night.
Nico Williams sent Spain into a ninth-minute lead, but Cody Gakpo levelled the scores in the 28th minute of the contest, before Tijjani Reijnders sent the hosts ahead shortly after the second period had started.
Netherlands were then reduced to 10 men when the highly-rated Jorrel Hato was given his marching orders for a poor challenge on Robin Le Normand.
Spain were minutes away from suffering a first-leg defeat, only for Merino to convert from close range in second-half stoppage time to leave the tie delicately poised ahead of their return fixture on Sunday evening.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Are you not entertained?
This was a cracking Nations League fixture, and one that deserved to finish level considering what both teams put into the match.
Netherlands showed huge character to recover from the early blow of conceding to level the scores, but Spain refused to give up, managing to make it 2-2 in the final moments, and we are now set up for a fascinating second leg.
This was not Spain at their best, and the result actually ended a six-game winning run, but Netherlands have now only been beaten in one of their last eight matches, so it was not a surprise that they managed to avoid defeat here.
Williams reminded many of his talents with a man-of-the-match performance, and there will be a scramble for his signature during this summer's transfer window despite the fact that he has not been at his best for Athletic Bilbao this season.
However, Netherlands also had a number of excellent performers, namely Jeremie Frimpong, who will also be hoping to earn a lucrative switch to a major club in the upcoming market.
NETHERLANDS VS. SPAIN HIGHLIGHTS
9th min: Netherlands 0-1 Spain (Nico Williams)
Spain make the breakthrough in the ninth minute of the contest, as Williams spins inside the Netherlands box before finding the bottom corner with a finish - it is excellent work from the Athletic Bilbao forward in a tight area.
28th min: Netherlands 1-1 Spain (Cody Gakpo)
Netherlands level the scores in the 28th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Liverpool attacker Gakpo, who smashes one past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon at his near post after smart work from Justin Kluivert.
46th min: Netherlands 2-1 Spain (Tijjani Reijnders)
Netherlands take the lead less than a minute after the restart, and it is a brilliant move from the hosts which ends with Frimpong delivering into Reijnders, who finishes expertly into the bottom corner of the net.
82nd min: Jorrel Hato (Netherlands) red card
Netherlands are reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute of the match, with Hato given a straight red card for a poor tackle on Mikel Oyarzabal.
93rd min: Netherlands 2-2 Spain (Mikel Merino)
Incredible finish to this match, as Spain level the scores in the 93rd minute, with Merino firing into the back of the net from close range after Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had failed to properly deal with a strike from Williams.
MAN OF THE MATCH - NICO WILLIAMS
Netherlands' Frimpong deserves a special mention here, but Williams was outstanding for Spain, with the forward making the breakthrough in the early stages before playing a major role in La Roja scoring to make it 2-2 late on.
As mentioned, Williams has not always been at his best for Athletic this season, but the 22-year-old is an outstanding talent, and after shining for Spain at Euro 2024, he was again in excellent form for his country on Thursday night.
NETHERLANDS VS. SPAIN MATCH STATS
Possession: Netherlands 40%-60% Spain
Shots: Netherlands 10-15 Spain
Shots on target: Netherlands 4-6 Spain
Corners: Netherlands 2-4 Spain
Fouls: Netherlands 14-7 Spain
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
These two teams will lock horns for the second leg of their quarter-final on Sunday evening, and it is extremely likely that Spain will be without Pau Cubarsi after the Barcelona centre-back was forced off injured in the first half of the contest.
Netherlands, meanwhile, will be without the services of Hato following his red card in the latter stages of the match.
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