Football

Spain vs Netherlands Preview, Prediction, Team News And Confirmed Lineups

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By
Kieran Lynch
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Kieran Lynch Sports Editor

Kieran Lynch is a sports writer specialising in football and Formula One. He is a sports journalism graduate of Leeds Trinity University and completed a Press Association NCTJ course in Newcastle. He previously worked as a news reporter for the Eastern Daily Press in Norfolk and spent five years as a sports writer at the MailOnline.

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Published23 Mar 2025

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Lamine Yamal. Spain Netherlands preview

Defending Nations League champions Spain host Netherlands on Sunday, and here we preview their second-leg quarter-final clash – including team news and predictions.

Spain Vs Netherlands Preview

There have been some brilliant matches between these sides down the years. This was the same case when the sides met in Rotterdam for the first-leg on Thursday night.

Nico Williams gave the Euro 2024 winners the lead after nine minutes before Cody Gakpo equalised for the hosts.

The Netherlands looked to be heading towards victory Tijjani Reijnders put them in front, but Jorrel Hato’s 81st minute red card made sure it was a nervy ending.

Arsenal’s recent makeshift striker Mikel Merino scored an equaliser in the third minute of the stoppage time, putting Spain in a strong position ahead of Sunday’s second-leg.

Sunday’s match promises to be another cracker, as Spain look to take their first victory over the Netherlands in a decade.

Spain famously beat Netherlands 1-0 in extra-time to win the 2010 World Cup, before thrashing them 5-1 at the same tournament four years later in Brazil.

The Netherlands though have the overall advantage when it comes to their head-to-head record.

They have won six out of their 13 meetings, with four wins for Spain and three draws.

The winners of this meeting will face either Croatia or France in the semi-finals. Below, we have the team news for the Netherlands’ trip to Spain.

Spain Team News

Pau Cubarsi was forced off in the latter stages of the first-leg, so Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen could make his first international start for Spain after receiving his first cap off the bench in the 2-2 draw on Thursday.

Inigo Martinez, Marc Casado, and Bryan Zaragoza failed to make Luis de la Fuente’s squad this month due to injury.

Other than Cubarsi, Spain could keep the same XI that played against the Netherlands.

Netherlands Team News

Ryan Gravenberch withdrew from the Netherlands squad, while Jorrel Hato is suspended after his red card in the first-leg.

Ian Maatsen is a late call-up while Jurrien Timber will miss out due to illness.

There will be a reshuffle due to Hato’s suspension with Jeremie Frimpong likely to move to a right-back position and Lutsharel Geertruida moving to the opposite flank.

Spain Vs Netherlands Confirmed Lineups

Spain XI (4-3-3): Simon; Mingueza, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Olmo, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams

Netherlands XI (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Geetruida, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Maatsen; Reijnders, De Jong, Kluivert; Frimpong, Gakpo, Depay

Spain Vs Netherlands Prediction

Spain are the favourites after they did well to escape with a draw from the Netherlands.

There is plenty of firepower on both sides but with Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, we think Spain will have too much for the Dutch on Sunday.

Prediction: Spain 3-1 Netherlands