National Team

The Netherlands, the final hurdle on our way to the Nations League final four.

Luis de la Fuente’s men, who have never won on Dutch soil, come into the match with memories of an opponent against whom Spain were crowned world champions, and against whom the squad now seek to continue making history.

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Thu, 20/03/2025 - 10:20

It is impossible to think of a match against the Netherlands without evoking the past, the memories, and the nostalgic smile of the greatest day of our lives—the day Spanish football truly came of age. It was 2010, the eyes of the world were on Johannesburg and its unforgettable Soccer City, where Andrés Iniesta made time stand still for a few seconds before an entire country erupted with joy. It was real. We were crowned world champions.

Fifteen years have passed since that moment, and football continues to stir up strong emotions. Along the way, Spain have managed to lift two more European Championships, and now they dream of winning their second consecutive Nations League title—a challenge that is anything but straightforward, with the next step being an incredibly tough two-legged knockout tie against the Netherlands. The first match takes place this Thursday at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, followed by the second leg on Sunday at Mestalla in Valencia.

Netherlands vs Spain, this Thursday, 20 March at 20:45 on La 1 de TVE.

Luis de la Fuente’s European champions, who lifted the trophy last summer in Berlin, travel to a country that has so far proved elusive to find victory. Spain have never won on Dutch soil, with a record of four defeats and one draw in five visits. Now is the time to break that streak, and with that exact mindset, the team arrived in Rotterdam determined to win.

Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg will officiate Netherlands vs Spain.

“We have to win both matches and progress through the tie,” said the national coach ahead of the match, as ambitious as ever. “It will be very difficult, against a great opponent,” he remarked when discussing Ronald Koeman’s side. “It could be a European Championships final.”

De la Fuente spoke shortly after landing in the Netherlands’ second city, a Rotterdam where Spain will look to steal the spotlight from its vast trading port, Europoort, the largest such port in Europe. Fully aware of the challenge ahead, midfielder Fabián Ruiz highlighted the importance of understanding that this is a 180-minute contest, not just the 90 minutes tonight.

“We know it’s a two-legged tie. It’s important to get a good result here, but we also know we have the return leg at home,” he said regarding the first match in the Netherlands.

Download the UEFA Nations League quarter-final information pack here.

The ingredients could not be better, the national team’s enthusiasm and determination is undeniable, the squad is more than ready, and the prize is another Nations League finals appearance. Now, all that remains is for the ball to start rolling. Make sure not to miss it.