Netherlands 1-1 Spain: Recap

Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

That was a fun game!

The final international break of 2020 started with a fun match between two European powerhouses as the Netherlands and Spain played an entertaining 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. Spain were the better team for most of the match but the Dutch had the moments as well, and Frenkie De Jong played 45 minutes as the only Barcelona representative in this one.

FIRST HALF

This definitely felt like a friendly in the middle of an insane football schedule for clubs and countries, and neither team looked interested in getting out of third gear in the first half.

The Dutch tried to be on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch and looking to Memphis Depay on the left a lot as they tried to create chances, though Unai Simón had nothing to do except from a comfortable save to stop a Luuk De Jong effort.

Spain were clearly the best team on the pitch, playing with more intensity and moving the ball from side to side with pace. Álvaro Morata found Sergio Canales for the opening goal, and La Roja kept finding spaces inside the Dutch defense and had a few more dangerous moments in attack.

At halftime the Spanish looked good and dangerous, and the Netherlands needed to step up their game to make the second half interesting.

SECOND HALF

The Dutch made a perfect start to the second half, scoring after just two minutes with Donny Van de Beek finishing a cross from Wijndal, and it was game on with the entire final period left to play.

The following 30 minutes were a ton of fun, with both times finding space to counter attack, and Spain had at least two excellent chances to score while Memphis Depay continued to be a threat for the Oranje.

As we reached the final 10 minutes, the game was still wide open but there wasn’t a big chance for either team, and the final whistle came to end an entertaining friendly, especially in the second half. Frenkie didn’t look great, though, and I really wonder how tired he is from playing so much football since the season started.

Spain look good, though. Really good.

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Netherlands: Bizot; Hateboer (Dumfries 46’), Veltman, Aké (Blind 6’), Wijndal; Wijnaldum (Klaassen 46’), F. De Jong (De Vrij 46’); Berghuis (Stengs 46’), Van de Beek, Memphis (Babel 79’); L. De Jong

Goal: Van de Beek (47’)

Spain: Simón; Bellerín, García, Martínez (Ramos 85’), Gayà (Reguilón 29’); Koke, Rodri, Canales (Llorente 72’); Gerard (Torres 61’), Morata (Dani Olmo 61’), Asensio (Adama 61’)

Goal: Canales (18’)

Source: barcablaugranes.com