Memphis Depay disappointed, but Hector Bellerin and Sergio Canales impressed as Netherlands held Spain to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.
It was a game of two halves, with Netherlands struggling to get into the thick of the action. Spain ended up taking a well deserved lead in the 19th minute when Alvaro Morata set Sergio Canales for his first ever international goal.
Netherlands, though, picked up pace post the break, and Donny van de Beek scored a second goal in as many games when he met Owen Wijndal’s cross just moments into the second period. The deadlock was never broken again, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both the teams.
Marco Bizot: 7/10
Did not quite have the chance to deny Sergio Canales, but Bizot, on Netherlands debut, made three decent saves to ensure that his goal was not breached more than once. Solid presence in goal.
Hans Hateboer: 5/10
A night to forget for Hateboer. The Atalanta defender struggled to play as a traditional full-back allowing Sergio Reguilon and Marco Asensio loads of space. But, he carried a great deal of threat down the right flank. Taken off at half-time.
Joel Veltman: 5/10
Starting at the heart of Netherlands’ defence, Veltman struggled to impose himself in a first half that Spain dominated. However, he improved post the interval and was much more composed as the game progressed.
Nathan Ake: N/A
Ake lasted just six minutes into the game and had to be taken off due to a hamstring injury.
Owen Wijndal: 7/10
Making only his second appearance for the Dutch national side, Wijndal produced a performance beyond his 20 years. A constant outlet down the left flank, it was his cross that was met by Donny van de Beek for the equaliser.
Frenkie de Jong: 5/10
A difficult outing for Frenkie de Jong, who struggled to set the tone of the game in the first half. Improved as half-time approached, before being taken off at the break.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 6/10
Donning the armband in the absence of the injured Virgil van Dijk, Wijnaldum was rather out of it on Wednesday bar a couple of neat touches and a looped ball to Luuk de Jong.
Steven Berghuis: 5/10
Another one of the four players who were hooked off at half-time, Berghuis endured a forgetful game and his decision making left a lot to be desired.
Donny van de Beek: 6.5/10
Not the best of performances by van de Beek. The lack of minutes were really showing early on, but the Manchester United midfielder made a fine ghosting run to net the winner. The goal would do him a world of good.
Donny van de Beek has scored in back-to-back games for Netherlands for the first time.
⚽️ vs. Italy
⚽️ vs. SpainTurning up against the big nations. ? pic.twitter.com/4fmDO4PxrO
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 11, 2020
Memphis Depay: 5/10
Starting a rare Netherlands game on the left wing, Depay did not quite look at home in a role that has not been essayed by him for a long time. A few decisions needed to be taken better.
Luuk de Jong: 6/10
Depay started on the left wing because Luuk de Jong was chosen as the central striker. The Sevilla man had the best chance of the first half for Netherlands but faded post the break.
SUBSTITUTES
Daley Blind: 6.5/10
An early substitution, Blind settled in as a centre-back for the first half and did reasonably well to hold off the threat of Alvaro Morata. Shifted into the role of a central midfielder and looked even better to control the game for Netherlands.
Denzel Dumfries: 7.5/10
Replacing Hateboer, Dumfries was an instant upgrade in the right-back slot. Much more composed at the back, the 24-year-old carried a great deal of threat down the flank as well.
Davy Klaassen: 6/10
Making his first appearance for Netherlands in three years, Klaassen provided a sense of calmness in the middle of the park, both on and off the ball.
Calvin Stengs: 7/10
On for Berghuis, Stengs looked like a better fit on the right flank and struck up a fine understanding with Dumfries to trouble Sergio Reguilon.
Stefan de Vrij: 6/10
Much like Klaassen, de Vrij helped stabilise the proceedings for Netherlands and ensured the hosts did not make any further errors at the back.
Ryan Babel: N/A
On for the final 10 minutes, Babel had a great chance to win the game for Netherlands but did not take his opportunity.
SPAIN
Unai Simon: 7/10
Ramos equals Buffon's cap record as Unai Simon debuts.
The 'present & future' of 'La Roja' feature on today's front cover of AS.https://t.co/6h4tg7hTCo pic.twitter.com/XW5kKr3iOp— AS English (@English_AS) November 12, 2020
Making his Spain debut, Simon was a solid presence between the sticks and compounded Depay’s frustrations with a couple of decent stops. Could not have done much to deny Donny van de Beek.
Hector Bellerin: 8/10
Marking his return to the Spanish national side for the first time in four years, Bellerin looked like a man on purpose and made some decent forays down his wing, setting up a decent chance for Alvaro Morata. Quite solid off the ball as well.
Eric Garcia: 6.5/10
It is still early days in Spain colours, but Garcia produced a confident display, keeping a check on Luuk de Jong quite well. Had a role to play in the opener, playing the ball to Morata before Sergio Canales scored.
Inigo Martinez: 5/10
With Sergio Ramos rested, Inigo Martinez had the responsibility of keeping the backline organised. The experienced defender did his part well for much of the game, but was caught napping when van de Beek scored the equaliser.
Jose Gaya: 5/10
Coming into the game on the back of a stunning showing against Real Madrid, Gaya was oozing confidence early on before being taken off after clashing with Hateboer.
Sergio Canales: 8/10
4 – Sergio Canales was involved in four of Spain ??’s seven shots in the first half against the Netherlands ?? (one goal and three key passes), scoring his first international goal. Quality. pic.twitter.com/QpqzJ3WmU5
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 11, 2020
In what was only his sixth appearance for Spain, Canales had an evening to remember, handing the visitors the lead with a peach of a finish with his preferred left foot. Continued posing a threat with his forward charges and he carried the ball with purpose.
Rodri: 6/10
Sitting at the base of the three-man midfield, Rodri was a solid customer in the first half, hardly letting Netherlands get on top of Spain. Post the break, though, he had some trouble dealing with the hosts exuberance, but he was still decent enough.
Koke: 7/10
Donning the armband in the absence of Sergio Ramos, Koke produced an all-action display and was on hand to help out in both phases of the game. Exudes calmness in the middle of the park.
Gerard Moreno: 6/10
Starting out wide, Gerard Moreno did not really have the best of games and failed to really test the Netherlands goalkeeper. Better off through the middle.
Alvaro Morata: 7/10
Another player who was returning to the side after a long layoff, Morata was purposeful while striding through the middle. Set Canales up for the opener and had a decent chance to score himself only to go home empty-handed in the goals count.
9 – Álvaro Morata ?? has been directly involved in nine goals in his nine appearances between Juventus and Spain this season (six goals and three assists). Impact. pic.twitter.com/rUG747M6X2
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 11, 2020
Marco Asensio: 6/10
Looked at home on the left flank, but his end product was lacking on the day. As was the case on the weekend against Valencia, he seems to be building his sharpness, but some positive steps taken.
SUBSTITUTES
Sergio Reguilon: 7/10
On for the injured Gaya, Reguilon carried a great deal of threat down the left flank and sent in some dangerous balls. However, he had his hands full with the tandem of Stengs and Dumfries.
Adama Traore: 6/10
Traore replaced Moreno and was an instant upgrade. But after a couple of dangerous moments, he quickly disappeared and it is clear that the lack of minutes with Wolves is having a telling impact.
Ferran Torres: 5/10
Torres came on for Morata and essayed a recently familiar false nine role. Hardly made an impact after coming on.
Dani Olmo: 6/10
On for Asensio, Olmo continued in a similar vein as the Real Madrid man, but did well to support Sergio Reguilon.
Marcos Llorente: 6/10
Replacing Canales, Llorente made his Spain debut. Solid work off the ball, but did not have many chances to affect the proceedings on transitions.
Sergio Ramos: N/A
A late introduction, Ramos made history, earning his 176th international cap to equal Gianluigi Buffon’s record for most appearances for a European nation.
