Netherlandsvs.Spain

While La Roja finished top of League A Group 4 after collected 16 points from a possible 18 available at the end of last year, the Oranje had to settle for second place in League A Group 3 after accumulating nine points from their six matches.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 12

Netherlands wins: 6

Draws: 2

Spain wins: 4

Netherlands and Spain have faced each other a total of 12 times on the international stage across all competitions, including friendlies.

It is the Oranje who currently lead the overall head-to-head record, as they have won six games compared to La Roja's four, while just two draws have been played out between the two nations.

The very first meeting between the Netherlands and Spain was a friendly that took place back in January 1957 when La Roja secured a thumping 5-1 home victory - their biggest win over the Oranje to date.

Netherlands responded by winning 3-2 in a friendly on their own turf just over 16 years later, before Spain won the next two, including the first competitive meeting between the two nations by a 1-0 scoreline in Euro 1984 qualifying.

That victory for Spain represents the last time they beat the Netherlands in 90 minutes in any competition. Indeed, their only other triumph against the Oranje was their memorable 1-0 success in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in South Africa where Andres Iniesta scored the extra-time winner in the 116th minute.

From the early 1980s to the present day, the Netherlands have had plenty of success against Spain aside from that final defeat, winning five and drawing two of their last eight meetings.

The most recent encounter between the Netherlands and Spain was a friendly that took place in November 2020 when Donny van de Beek cancelled out a Sergio Canales opener as both nations settled for a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam.

Previous meetings

Nov 11, 2020: Netherlands 1-1 Spain (Friendly)

Mar 31, 2015: Netherlands 2-0 Spain (Friendly)

Jun 13, 2014: Spain 1-5 Netherlands (World Cup Group Stage)

Jul 11, 2010: Netherlands 0-1 Spain (World Cup Final)

Mar 27, 2002: Netherlands 1-0 Spain (Friendly)

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Written by

Oliver Thomas