The goalkeeper saved a penalty from Malen in sudden death, and Pedri secured Spain’s ticket to the ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League
VALENCIA, 24 (from the special envoy of Europa Press, Manu Polo)
The Spanish men’s national football team defeated the Netherlands this Sunday in a thrilling match at Mestalla (Valencia) that was decided in a penalty shootout, where Unai Simón caught the sixth penalty from Donyell Malen and Pedri González secured Spain’s place in the ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League.
Unai Simón once again emerged in the penalty shootout, as he did in the final of the previous Nations League against Croatia, to stop Malen’s shot in sudden death. Then it was Pedri’s turn, who didn’t miss and sealed Spain’s ticket to the ‘Final Four’, where Luis de la Fuente’s team will face France in the semifinals.
Before that, Mikel Oyarzabal with a brace – the top scorer for Spain in the ‘De la Fuente era with 9 goals’ – Memphis Depay, and Ian Maatsen had taken the game to extra time where Spain once again squandered a lead after a great goal by Lamine Yamal was equalized by Xavi Simons from the penalty spot.
From the penalty spot, Spain secured their place in the third ‘Final Four’ of the Nations League, which they are defending champions. Additionally, the streak of official matches undefeated by the national team now stands at 23 games, just six short of the absolute record set between 2010 and 2013 under Vicente del Bosque.
The Mestalla crowd started playing the game even before the initial whistle by chanting the goals that made Spain champions of Europe in Germany, especially Andrés Iniesta’s goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the ‘Oranje’, celebrated as if it had just happened. Spain took advantage of this push in the early minutes of the game, which was rewarded with a penalty before the seventh minute.
Van Hecke fouled Oyarzabal inside the box, and the Real Sociedad player took the penalty himself, beating Verbruggen with a low shot into the corner. Spain was enjoying themselves on the field, and the fans in the stands were in full voice. The first shot on goal from the Netherlands didn’t come until halfway through the first half from Kluivert, although the Dutch were gradually gaining possession as Spain sat back and waited for the counterattack.
The halftime break allowed the hosts to recharge and come out for the second half with more energy, and in just over a minute, Dani Olmo and Mingueza had a chance to make it 2-0, but Unai Simón also prevented the equalizer with a great save from Kluivert shortly after. This action was followed by a penalty, more than questionable, from Robin Le Normand on Memphis Depay, which Depay converted with a well-placed shot that deceived Unai Simón.
The goal gave the Netherlands momentum, and they almost got a second with a shot from Frimpong from the edge of the box that went over the bar, and then a left-footed strike from Memphis that forced the Spanish goalkeeper to intervene. The game was open, and Lamine and Nico found space. The Barcelona player set up the Athletic player, who, after a brilliant individual play, set up Oyarzabal in a one-on-one situation. The Real Sociedad player managed to beat Verstruggen on the second attempt to put Spain back in front (2-1).
With 20 minutes remaining, Koeman needed to shake things up if he wanted to reach the semifinals. So, he brought on Noa Lang, Donyell Malen, and Xavi Simons in place of Gakpo, Geertruida, and Kluivert, and the impact was immediate. Just a few minutes later, Simons set up Maatsen to score with a shot from the left side of the box that beat Unai Simons (2-2).
As extra time approached, De la Fuente refreshed the midfield with the introductions of Pedri and Mikel Merino for Olmo and Fabián. However, the danger continued to come from the Dutch, and if not for Unai Simón, they would have completed the comeback before the 90th minute. Spain also had their chances, but Van Dijk was a giant, repelling two clear chances from Lamine and Nico Williams, leading to an additional 30 minutes of play.
In an extra time where little happened, apart from the substitutions of Pedro Porro and Broddey, the young Spanish players took charge of the game. Huijsen spotted Lamine Yamal’s run, and played a perfect ball behind the defense for the Spanish gem to control, leave Maatsen on the ground, and score a fantastic goal that put Spain ahead again. Nico Williams almost doubled the lead in the last chance before the change of ends.
Like Groundhog Day, Spain once again failed to capitalize on their advantage. After a good Dutch play, Unai Simón brought down Xavi Simons in the box, causing the third penalty of the match. The Leipzig player took the penalty himself, and although Unai Simón was close to saving it, the ball found the net. Thus, the tie would be decided from the penalty spot.
The penalty shootout was full of ups and downs. The first three shooters from each team were very accurate: Merino, Ferran, and Aleix García for Spain, and Van Dijk, Koopmainers, and Simons for the Netherlands. However, both missed their fourth attempts, first Lang hit the crossbar, and then Verbruggen saved Lamine’s shot. After goals from Taylor and Baena, the shootout went to sudden death, where Simón stepped up to save Malen’s penalty, giving Pedri the chance to seal the win. The Canarian didn’t miss, and Spain will defend their title in the ‘Final Four’ to be played in early June in Germany, against Portugal.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
– RESULT: SPAIN 3 – NETHERLANDS 3 (1-0 at halftime).
– LINEUPS:
SPAIN: Simón; Mingueza (Porro, min.94), Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi (Aleix García, min.106), Ruiz (Merino, min.84); Yamal, Dani Olmo (Pedri, min.84), Williams (Álex Baena, min.117); and Oyarzabal (Ferran Torres, min.68).
NETHERLANDS: Verbruggen; Geertruida (Malen, min.78), Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Maatsen; De Jong (Taylor, min.106), Reijnders (Koopmeiners, min.110); Frimpong, Kluivert (Simons, min.78), Gakpo (Lang, min.78); and Memphis (Brobbey, min.100).
– GOALS:
1 – 0, min.6: Oyarzabal (penalty).
1 – 1, min.54: Depay (penalty).
2 – 1, min.67: Oyarzabal.
2 – 2, min.79: Maatsen.
3 – 2, min.103: Lamine Yamal.
3 – 3, min.109: Xavi Simons (penalty).
– PENALTY SHOOTOUT:
0 – 1, van Dijk, goal.
1 – 1, Merino, goal.
1 – 2, Koopmeiners, goal.
2 – 2, Ferran Torres, goal.
2 – 3, Xavi Simons, goal.
3 – 3, Aleix García, goal.
3 – 3, Lang, miss.
3 – 3, Lamine Yamal, miss.
3 – 4, Taylor, goal.
4 – 4, Álex Baena, goal.
4 – 4, Malen, miss.
5 – 4, Pedri, goal.
– REFEREE: Clément Turpin (FRA). Yellow cards: Le Normand (min.53) and Unai Simón (min.108) for Spain, Depay (min.60) for the Netherlands.
– STADIUM: Mestalla (Valencia), 48,082 spectators.
FUENTE