MATCH REPORT | Glorious Spain reach Nations League Final Four

Spain wanted to play for the people of Valencia, to get a packed Mestalla roaring and secure a place in the Final Four of the UEFA Nations League. And Luis de la Fuente’s men did just that, though not without some suffering in the 120 minutes of football, which ended 3-3 after extra time, and a nerve-racking penalty shootout ending 5-4.

With flags waving in the stands and only eight minutes on the clock, Van Hecke clattered into Oyarzabal inside the box, and Clément Turpin pointed straight to the spot. Mikel Oyarzabal struck the penalty with power and conviction—low, hard, and straight into the net to make it 1-0. It was the 14th international goal for the forward whose winning goal last summer saw Spain crowned European Champions. For the next fifteen minutes, Spain dominated, and the fans at the Mestalla were in full voice. Oyarzabal had another chance, Nico Williams went one-on-one with Verbruggen—forcing a stunning save—and Spain’s intricate passing moves had the crowd on their feet. However, the first half ended with the Netherlands pushing forward, showing exactly why they are considered a top side.

That momentum shift continued after the break, and Ronald Koeman’s team needed just eight minutes of the second half to level the score. A tussle between Le Normand and Depay led to a penalty, which the Dutch number 10 calmly converted in the 53rd minute to make it 1-1. Spain began to struggle, losing possession, and Unai Simón was twice called into action to keep the hosts level in the game. Just when it looked as though Spain were on the ropes, the reigning European champions responded in style. Nico Williams produced a brilliant solo run into the opposition box, setting up Oyarzabal. His first effort was denied by Verbruggen, but he made no mistake with the rebound, heading the ball into the net. Spain were back in front at 2-1 with Oyarzabal’s 15th goal for La Roja.

With the over 48,000 fans in the Mestalla now sensing victory, the Dutch found another gear and way back into the game. In the 79th minute, Maatsen capitalised on a defensive error to make it 2-2. Then, in the 89th minute, Unai Simón performed heroics, producing a vital save from a Depay header—an intervention that felt almost like a goal for Spain. With the match tied, extra time loomed.

Then came Lamine Yamal at the perfect moment, as only geniuses do. At just 17 years old, he showed blistering pace, intelligence, and composure to dribble past his man, control the ball, and fire home with his left foot to make it 3-2. The Mestalla erupted with chants of “A por ellos” (Go for them!), and even a nostalgic nod to Iniesta’s famous goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. The crowd kept pushing, but Simons struck back from the penalty spot in the 109th minute, making it 3-3 and sending the tie to a shootout.

Mikel Merino, Ferran Torres, Aleix García, Álex Baena, Pedri, and a heroic Unai Simón were the stars of a dramatic penalty shootout that capped an unforgettable night in the Mestalla. Spain edged past the Netherlands in sudden death penalties, securing their much-coveted place in the UEFA Nations League Final Four, set to take place in Germany this June. The national team remains on course to defend their title.