It is really sad that one of these two teams will not be going to the semifinals after such an extraordinary performance.

If you are a neutral fan, it was an epic night for you. But if you're a fan or from Netherlands and Spain, it was a night of heartbreaks and wins.

Spain kept on getting the leads, but Netherlands continued to fight back and equalize. In the end, it was the penalties that differentiated the two teams.

Unai Simon was the hero for Spain as he made an important save in the sudden death.

It has been a really long night, and I hope you have enjoyed every bit of this coverage. This is Koushik Biswas, signing off. Good night, and take care.

Unai.

𝗦𝗜𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗜.#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/HYLjx6Q1aj

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 23, 2025

What a thrilling final! 

The fans could not have asked for more. 

Spain are through to the semis on penalties after the scores were tied at 3-3 (5-5 on aggregate). 

The semi-finals will be played in June in Germany. 

SPAIN ARE THROUGH TO THE NATIONS LEAGUE SEMIS!

Unai Simon made an important save in the sudden death in the penalty shootout to take Spain over the line.

They won 5-4 in the penalties after the score was tied at 3-3 (5-5 on agg.)#UEFANationsLeague #ESPNED #LamineYamal #Pedri pic.twitter.com/5CESJ8ldce

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 23, 2025

• Van Dijk (NED)- Scores - ESP 0-1 NED 
• Merino (ESP) - Scores - ESP 1-1 NED
• Koopmeiners (NED) - Scores - ESP 1-2 NED
• Ferran Torres (ESP) - Scores - ESP 2-2 NED 
• Xavi Simons (NED) - Scores - ESP 2-3 NED
• Garcia (ESP) - Scores - ESP 3-3 NED
• Lang (NED) - Miss - ESP 3-3 NED
• Yamal (ESP) - Miss - ESP 3-3 NED
• Taylor (NED) - Scores - ESP 3-4 NED
• Baena (ESP) - Scores - ESP 4-4 NED

We are into sudden death now. 

• Malen (NED) - Miss - ESP 4-4 NED
• Pedri (ESP) - Scores - ESP 5-4 NED 

Spain win on penalties. 

5-5 on aggregate and we are into penalties now.

Dutch was so close to a winner. 

Malen shoots from a close range, and Simon dives low to his left to make the save. 

Final change for Spain. 

Baena replaced Nico Williams

We are just 5 minutes away from a shoot out. Will we see another goal?

Koopmeiners replaced Reijnders.

Simons scores from the penalty spot. His 4th international goal. 

All equal again. 

Spain 3-3 Netherlands. 

Yellow card for Simon as he brought down Simons inside the box. Penalty for Netherlands. 

Torres did not connect the shot that well from inside the box. He missed the target.

Taylor replaced De Jong

Garcia replaced Zubimendi. 

The referee blows the whistle, and we have 15 minutes before the result or a penalty shootout. 

Nico Williams with a great chance to score. But Van Hecke came in between to block the shot. 

Man, Lamine Yamal is special. 

He first receives a ball from Huijsen. Then, he made a quick cutback and went with his left foot for a curling shot at the far post. 

He hits the back of the net, and Spain, for the third time in this game, have the lead.

Spain 3-2 Netherlands (5-4 on agg.)

Out: Depay

In: Brobbey

Vamos, EQUIPO.

¡¡𝗩𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗦𝗦𝗦!!

Arranca el tiempo extra.

🇪🇸 🆚 🇳🇱 | 2-2 | 91’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/k6CvVb59pH

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 23, 2025

The Netherlands are working hard to keep as many Spanish players pinned back as they can. Koeman has deployed two wingers, one central striker, and two players supporting Depay, aiming to create a five-versus-four advantage whenever feasible. It’s a bold, high-stakes strategy with big potential payoffs.

Mingueza is injured and has been replaced by Pedro Porro. 

The first half of extra time starts.

90 minutes could not separate the teams. 

It is 2-2 in the second leg and 4-4 on aggregate. 

We are heading to extra time. 

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams's back-to-back shots were blocked by Dutch defenders. 

Nico Williams did not get the connection he was looking for and Verbruggen makes an easy save. 

3 minutes added to the full time. 

That was an important save from Simon. 

Depay from close range nearly gave Netherlands the winner. 

72' | Ronaldo equalises for Portugal
76' | Eriksen gives Denmark the lead

POR 2-2 DEN (2-3)

Portugal vs Denmark LIVE: https://t.co/EjAWKV3fD3#PORDEN #UEFANationsLeague

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 23, 2025

Out: Olmo, Ruiz

In: Pedri, Merino

On his debut, Maatsen scores for Netherlands. 

It was a missed pass from Dani Olmo that allowed the attack. 

All equal now. 

ESP 2-2 NED (4-4)

Out: Kluivert, Geertruida, Gakpo

In: Simons, Malen, Lang

Simon comes out quickly to negotiate with a long ball from Reijnders. 

Maatsen blocks a shot from Frenkie De Jong. Netherlands are looking desperate for the equaliser. 

That was the final act from Oyarzabal as he has been replaced by Ferran Torres. 

Great counterattack from Lamine Yamal, who passed the ball to Nico Williams. 

After a good run, unselfish Nico Williams gave it to Oyarzabal, who was open to score. 

Though his initial shot was saved by Verbruggen, the rebound ball fell in place for him to head the ball inside the goal. 

Spain take the lead.

ESP 2-1 NED (4-3)

Memphis Depay is just 3 goals away from becoming the all-time top scorer for the Netherlands ⭐ pic.twitter.com/iH6nD6qbcH

— Netsport (@Netsportfc) March 23, 2025

Second save in a row from the Brighton goalkeeper. 

Nic,o with a grat run, kept on going deep in the box. 

His final effort was saved by Verbruggen

Yellow card for Depay for a foul on Lamine Yamal. 

Good buildup from Spain. Ruiz and Lamine played between them before Lamine went for a left footed shot from inside the box. 

It went straight to Verbruggen. 

Don't think that should be a pen at all. Memphis grabs Le Normand who's also grabbing him, suddenly Memphis takes a dive... That's a crazy call to me.

— Luis Mazariegos (@luism8989) March 23, 2025

Depay, confident after his foal, goes for a left-footed low curling shot. 

Simon had to dive to his left to make the save. 

Memphis Depay scores on his 100th international appearance. 

He hits the upper net and beats Simon easily. 

It's the 47th international goal for Depay. 

Spain 1-1 Netherlands (3-3 on agg)

Le Normand fouls Depay inside the box. He gets the yellow card. Penalty for Netherlands. 

⌛ Half-time scores in UEFA Nations League!

Spain 1-0 Netherlands (3-2 agg)
France 0-0 Croatia (0-2 agg)
Portugal 1-0 Denmark (1-1 agg)
Germany 3-0 Italy (5-1)

Who will reach the semifinals?#UEFANationsLeague #CristianoRonaldo #KylianMbappe #LukaModric pic.twitter.com/Df89Q5YTXW

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 23, 2025

Chance for Kluivert, probably their best of the night. But, his shot was saved by Unai Simon. 

Chance for Dani Olmo to score, but his club teammate De Jong came sliding to make the interception. 

No changes from either team.

Spain head to the tunnel with a 1-0 lead over the Netherlands via a penalty scored by Oyarzabal

1 minute added as injury time. 

Cucurella wins the battle with Frimpong, who received a cross from Depay. 

The defensive win led Spanish fans to chant the name of Cucurella. You already know his song!

In the last two occasions, the defender was able to go front and provide through balls for Lamine Yamal and Oyarzabal. Spain are looking for their second for the end of the first half. 

Depay gets a verbal warning from the referee for a foul on Le Normand. But, no cards so far. 

Unai Simon makes his first save of the night as Geertruida makes an effort from outside the box. It went straight to the Spainsh goalkeeper. 

In the last few minutes, the Netherlands made three entries to the final third. 

This time, they won their first corner as Gakpo's shot was deflected away by Cucurella. 

𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗦.

🇪🇸 🆚 🇳🇱 | 1-0 | 15’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/sTYB8SpRaW

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 23, 2025

Just like Euro 2024, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have been phenomenal on the flanks for Spain. 

In the middle Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo and Oyarzabal have been constant threat as well. 

Another solid save from Verbruggen. 

Oyarzabal found Nico on the right, and Verbruggen saved Nico's shot.

However, Oyarzabal was offside leading to the attack.

Kluivert goes for the goal from outside the box. He was hoping that the ball would come down but it kept on going up.

Spain have been controlling the game so far. 

Lamine Yamal, on the right, waited for a long time before ppooing up the ball for Fabian Ruiz on the left. 

Ruiz went for a volley, but Verbruggen was there to make the save. 

Reijnders has the first chance of the night for Netherlands. 

He went for a volley inside the box from a pass by Maatsen

Nico Williams has an open chance to score from the right. He found a great pass from Huijsen, who kept on running with the ball from the defensive area and then passed it to Nico. 

Verbruggen came to rescue the Netherlands. 

For a moment, it looked like Oyarzabal had his brace. 

But he was offside there. Just by a bit.

Lamine Yamal with the side of the boot pass for Oyarzabal to go one-on-one with Verbruggen.

Oyarzabal goes low, hard and to the left. He hits the back of the net with ease. 

Spain take the lead. 

Spain 0-1 Netherlands (3-2 on aggregate) 

Van Hecke tackled and brought down Oyarzabal inside the box. It is a penalty for the home side. 

Huijsen, who was born in the Netherlands, made his debut in the first leg and did excedelingly well. 

This is his first start for Spain. He has replaced the injured Casado.

Here we go!

All to play for a place in the semi-finals.

¡VAM⚽️S!#NothingLikeOranje #ESPNED pic.twitter.com/oxC3IGaqRJ

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 23, 2025

Calentamiento completado...

¡¡𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗔 𝗬𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔𝗔!! #VamosEspaña | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/KwdZRSBbYU

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) March 23, 2025

Starting XI: B. Verbruggen, L. Geertruida, J. P. van Hecke, V. van Dijk (capt), I. Maatsen, T. Reijnders, F. de Jong, J. Kluivert, J. Frimpong, M. Depay, C. Gakpo.

Subs: Nick Olij, Mark Flekken, Matthijs de Ligt, Youri Baas, Xavi Simons, Teun Koopmeiners, Kenneth Taylor, Mats Wieffer, Brian Brobbey, Noa Lang, Donyell Malen.

Starting XI: U. Simón (capt), Ó. Mingueza, R. Le Normand, D. Huijsen, M. Cucurella, D. Olmo, M. Zubimendi, F. Ruiz, L. Yamal, M. Oyarzabal, N. Williams.

Subs: David Raya, Álex Remiro, Pedro Porro, Raúl Asencio, Alejandro Grimaldo, Mikel Merino, Aleix García, Alejandro Baena, Pedri, Álvaro Morata, Samuel Aghehowa, Ferran Torres.

Not many people saw this coming—hardly anyone pegged the Dutch to come out on top before the match kicked off. However, Koeman’s men came so close to earning every bit of a well-deserved victory.

They started off a little wobbly, sure, but soon found their rhythm, moving the ball with confidence. Gakpo and Frimpong were electric out wide, constantly throwing the Spanish defense off balance, while the backline held strong—almost to the very end—until Merino slipped one through.

Jorrel Hato received a red card during the first-leg game, and will be suspended for the game night. Ian Maatsen has been called up for the Dutches. However, Jurrien Timber will also be sidelined due to illness.

Center-back Pau Cubarsi was forced off in the last stages of the first leg encounter, as he has withdrawn from the squad and will be unavailable for tonight. Rest of the squad will be available for selection.

Football fans from India can watch the Spain vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League 2025 Quarter-finals 2nd leg match LIVE on Sony Ten 3 TV Channel on Television and the Sony LIV app and website with a paid subscription.

Match: Spain vs Netherlands 

Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2025 Quarter-finals 2nd leg

Date: 24 March 2025

Time: 1:15 AM IST

Venue: Mestalla Stadium, Valencia, Spain