Netherlands vs Spain Nations League quarter-final first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, prediction, form guide
Thursday, March 20, 2025
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When is it? How can you watch it? All you need to know about the UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg between Netherlands and Spain.
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Netherlands and Spain meet in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final on Thursday 20 March.
Match at a glance
When: Thursday 20 March (20:45 CET kick-off)
Where: Stadion Feijenoord 'De Kuip', Rotterdam
What: UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage here
Where to watch Netherlands vs Spain on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Nations League broadcast partner(s) here.
Predicted team line-ups
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Frimpong, Geertruida, Van Dijk, Timber; De Jong, Koopmeiners, Reijnders; Simons, Depay, Gakpo
Spain: Unai Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Le Normand, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Morata, Williams.
Form guide
Netherlands (most recent match first): DWLDDW
Spain (most recent match first): WWWWWD
Expert prediction
Derek Brookman, match reporter: With Memphis Depay already confirmed as a starter by Roland Koeman and Frenkie de Jong fit and available again, the Dutch will likely have two of their most influential players back in the starting XI. The national coach has already said that being too defensive will play into Spain's hands, yet is also wary of surrendering possession in dangerous areas of the pitch. Balancing Oranje’s penchant for attack with a rigid discipline in denying space to the likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will be crucial.
What the coaches say
Ronald Koeman, Netherlands coach: "Spain are very solid on the ball, and they have great midfielders between the lines. With Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks, they also have a lot of pace. You will sometimes have to park the bus, but you don't really want that. You want to have the ball in their half and apply pressure up front at times."
Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach: "The Netherlands have a very young, talented team. At this level, age is not a factor. What matters is ability, determination and talent. We want to win, we don't think about speculating and resolving the issue in Valencia. That never crosses our minds. It will be a very complicated match, like a final."
How do the Nations League quarter-finals work?
The group winners and runners-up from League A have reached the quarter-final stage of the Nations League.
Ties will take place across two legs, each side playing home and away, with the winners progressing to the Final Four in June 2025.
The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 June 2025 to decide who contests the final and the third-place match on Sunday 8.
