Nations League holders Spain travel to De Kuip for the first leg of their quarterfinal clash against host Netherlands. The winners of the tie will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals
NED vs SPN Match Details
Date: Sunday, 16 March 2025
Time: 17:30 (BST), 22:00 (IST)
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
NED vs SPN Match Preview
The Netherlands experienced a decent period in 2024 reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship hosted in Germany last summer and reaching the knockout stage of the Nations League for a consecutive season, third overall. However, the Dutch had to settle for the second spot in their group five points behind high-flying leaders Germany and just three points better than play-off team Hungary in third. That has left them with a quarterfinal tie, in the competition’s new format, against tournament holders Spain. The Netherlands have a pretty decent record in the Nations League reaching the final of the inaugural edition back in 2019 while finishing third last season, both under Ronald Koeman. Repeating those feats looks like a tough job as they have to face the best team in Europe over two legs. The first leg is what the former Barcelona manager wants his side to capitalise upon having not lost at home in a year and carrying a seven-game unbeaten run. The Dutch also conceded just one loss in the Nations League this season and leads the head-to-head record with six wins compared to Spain’s four so they will have a lot of records to back them in this crucial tie.
Even after a slow start to the Nations League this campaign with a goalless away draw against Serbia in September 2024, the first time they failed to score or win a game since March that year, Spain quickly got their groove back which helped them win a third European Championship winning the rest of the games including thrashing the Serbs 3-0 in the reverse clash. With the 3-2 win over Switzerland, La Roja finished the group stage on 16 points from six games taking their unbeaten run to an incredible 16 games to end a memorable year. Luis de la Fuente, who has seen a record 23 victories and just two losses in his two-year tenure, will want his side to begin 2025 on a similar note by extending their winning run in the Nations League to six games. La Roja will hope to assert another dominance like they did in the 2008-2012 period by defending this trophy they won for the first time in 2022. However, the quarterfinal tie against the Netherlands as they haven't beaten the Dutch in normal play since 1983 and haven’t defeated them in an away game. Their only success this century in this fixture was the 2010 World Cup which was won in extra time from an Andres Iniesta strike.
NED vs SPN Recent Form
NED: DDLWD
SPN: WWWWW
NED vs SPN Predicted Lineups
Netherlands
Verbruggen; Frimpong, De Ligt, Van Dijk, J. Timber; Gravenberch, De Jong, Reijnders; Simons, Brobbey, Gakpo
Spain
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Le Normand, Cucurella; Ruiz, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, N. Williams
NED vs SPN Dream11 Match Prediction
The Netherlands are a competitive unit at home and will throw a commendable fight. However, Spain is a locomotive showing no signs of slowing down and their never-dying mentality should give them an edge in this battle. We predict La Roja take a 2-1 advantage back home.
NED vs SPN Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Lamine Yamal
Vice-captain Picks: Cody Gakpo, Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams
NED vs SPN Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Simon (Cr - 7)
DEF: Porro (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 177), Van Dijk (Cr - 9, Pts - 128), Cucurella (Cr - 8, Pts - 96)
MID: Yamal (Cr - 9, Pts - 96), Ruiz (Cr - 9, Pts - 280), Reijnders (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 225), Simons (Cr - 8, Pts - 171)
FW: Salah (Cr - 9, Pts - 173), Isak (Cr - 9, Pts - 172), Gakpo (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 414)
Vice-captain: Cody Gakpo
Captain: Lamine Yamal