Luis de la Fuente mentioned it will be tough to beat the Netherlands of their Nations League quarter-final after Spain snatched some extent within the first leg of their conflict on Thursday.
Nico Williams had fired the holders forward within the ninth minute just for targets in both half from Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders to show the competition in favour of the Dutch.
However Jorrel Hato’s 81st-minute sending-off turned the tide, and within the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Mikel Merino pounced on a mistake by Bart Verbruggen to depart the tie finely poised forward of the return leg in Valencia.
The consequence noticed Spain prolong their unbeaten run throughout all competitions to 17 matches (W14 D3), their finest streak since September 2018 (G27 – W18 D9).
The Netherlands are, nevertheless, unbeaten of their final 4 matches in opposition to La Roja (W2 D2), and De La Fuente acknowledged the dimensions of the duty forward of his gamers if they’re to guide their place within the closing 4.
“It’s very tough to beat a staff just like the Netherlands. It has been a match of alternate options, as deliberate,” De la Fuente mentioned.
“We knew that it was going to be resolved by particulars, and so it has been. They’re a strong staff. We’re very happy and much more so after 4 months with out competing.
“It’s true that their third purpose may have come, in addition to our second with Morata’s header. It’s going to be very tough for us to win in Valencia. I’ve little question.”
17 – @SEFutbol is ubeaten of their final 17 video games in all competitions (W14 D3), their finest streak since September 2018 (G27 – W18 D9). Momentum. pic.twitter.com/m0KAQyiyDe
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 20, 2025
Thursday’s draw additionally noticed Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen make his debut for Spain, changing the injured Pau Cubarsi within the forty first minute of the competition in Feyenoord.
Although he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Justin Kluivert, Huijsen impressed De La Fuente, and he predicted a shiny future for the 19-year-old on the worldwide stage.
“It’s nice information for us. He has proven that he’s a rare participant and that he can assist us lots. He has proven maturity and that he’s not impressed in any respect,” he added.
Huijsen, nevertheless, was thrown right into a cauldron of noise after making his debut for La Roja in opposition to the nation of his beginning.
He represented the Netherlands at youth degree earlier than switching nationalities in 2024, happening to play six instances for Spain’s Below-21s earlier than being promoted to the primary staff.
And although thrown in on the deep finish, Huijsen relished the possibility of taking his first steps in worldwide soccer in a hostile surroundings.
“At first, I didn’t have a Spanish passport, however when the chance arose to get a passport fast-tracked, I made the choice,” Huijsen mentioned.
“Spain is my house. I’ve lived in Spain all my life and executed all the pieces associated to soccer right here. My childhood mates are Spanish.
“Getting referred to as up was already the most effective second of my profession and enjoying for Spain makes me actually proud, in opposition to whoever.
“The perfect gamers are in Spain, and it’s an honour to be with them.”