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Netherlands vs Spain Preview: Team News, Lineups, & Prediction | UEFA Nations League A QF

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By
Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published19 Mar 2025

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Defending champions Spain will make the trip to De Kuip in Rotterdam for the first leg of their UEFA Nations League A quarter-final clash with the Netherlands on Thursday, 20 March.

The two teams have given us some iconic showdowns over the years, and we are expecting another firecracker of a contest this week.

Netherlands vs Spain Preview: Build-Up

After crashing out of the 2024 European Championship semi-finals following a defeat to England, there was a period of reflection within the Netherlands camp. Coach Ronald Koeman saw credibility come under question from the media, but the board chose to stick with him.

Under Koeman’s tutelage, the Netherlands picked up two wins, played out three draws, and suffered a defeat in the Nations League A Group 3, finishing second in the rankings. Their only defeat (1-0) came away in , highlighting their weakness against technically superior teams.

Coming to technical superiority, there are few teams that can hold a candle to UEFA Nations League holders and reigning European Champions Spain. Since taking over in December 2022, Luis de la Fuente has turned La Roja into a lean, mean, winning machine, with the team ing 23 wins in only 28 games (3 D, 2 L).

Spain, who have won 14 of their last 15 international games, had a near-spotless run in Nations League A Group 4. They picked up a whopping 16 points from six games, claiming five wins and playing out a draw. They finished eight points clear of Group 4 runners-up Denmark.

Netherlands vs Spain Preview: Team News, Lineups, & H2H

Team News & Lineups

Netherlands

Koeman will be without Denzel Dumfries, Nathan Ake, Stefan de Vrij, Devyne Rensch, and Jerdy Schouten, as none of them could recover in time for the internationals. Frenkie de Jong is also a doubt after he missed Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid due to illness.

Confirmed Lineup: Verbruggen; Geetruida, Van Hecke, Van Dijk, Hato; De Jong, Reijnders; Frimpong, Kluivert, Gakpo; Depay

Spain

De La Fuente, on the other hand, will not have the services of Inigo Martinez, Marc Casado, and Bryan Zaragoza, as they are all on the treatment table. Real Madrid youngster Raul Asencio has earned his first call-up, but he may have to wait to make his debut.

Confirmed Lineup: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Cubarsi, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Williams, Morata

H2H Record

The Netherlands have an excellent head-to-head (H2H) record against Spain. Facing them 12 times, the Oranje have come out on top on six occasions. The four-time European champions have won four matches while the remaining two ended all square.

Their last meeting came in November 2020. They played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Netherlands vs Spain Prediction

At home, the Netherlands have every right to fancy themselves against Spain, but the individual quality of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams may prove too difficult to contain.

Our prediction: Netherlands 2-3 Spain