In the rematches of two World Cup finals—one from 2010 and the other from 2018—we saw the revenge from Croatia, but the match between the Netherlands and Spain ended in a draw.When talking about match in Rotterdam we saw a rollercoaster of chances and goals on both sides in the first half of this match.As early as the 9th minute, we witnessed the first chance and goal of the game. Nico Williams received an excellent pass inside the penalty area and went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He shot low into the left corner and SCORED!⚽ 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟!!!Nico Williams puts Spain into the lead with a massive goal!!👀 Luis de la Fuente will be thrilled to see how he capitalised on that chance!🇳🇱🆚🇪🇸 | 0-1 | 9’#VamosEspaña | #NationsLeaguepic.twitter.com/5Thvn6qf7f— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) March 20, 2025 Spain didn’t stop there, and 10 minutes later, they created another chance for the visitors. Alvaro Morata jumped inside the six-yard box to meet a cross and headed the ball just a few centimeters past the left post! The ball went out of play.The hosts showed they weren’t just passive participants in this match a few minutes later. Virgil van Dijk reacted well and was the first to reach the rebound, but he fired high over the goal.The pressure from the home team eventually paid off. In the 28th minute, Justin Kluivert sent a pass to Cody Gakpo inside the penalty area, and he quickly placed it into the bottom left corner! The goalkeeper was helpless. There is the GOAL!CODY GAKPO!!!! 1-1!!! 🔥#NothingLikeOranje #NEDESP pic.twitter.com/SBAAuru3lr— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 20, 2025 Spain tried to respond in the 35th minute when Martin Zubimendi excellently received a cross inside the box. He shot sharply towards the bottom left corner, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant dive to deflect the ball.Like in table tennis, the hosts immediately created another chance. Jorrel Hato found some space in front of goal and connected with a free-kick cross. His precise header seemed destined for the bottom left corner, but Unai Simon made an incredible reflex save to deny him.A minute later, Tijjani Reijnders missed a good opportunity when he fired from mid-range without hesitation, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out of play!In this battle! 💪#NothingLikeOranje #NEDESP pic.twitter.com/ZZ9rxwru1d— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 20, 2025 Just as the second half began, we saw another goal in this match. Jeremie Frimpong sent the ball into the penalty area, where the unmarked Tijjani Reijnders met it and slotted it into the bottom left corner. There is the GOAL!2-1!!!! POWER REIJNDERSSSS!!! 🤯#NothingLikeOranje #NEDESP pic.twitter.com/lK1ZUKJtQJ— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 20, 2025 The home team continued their attacking play, and a few minutes later, they created another chance. Justin Kluivert received a quality pass and unleashed a powerful shot from long range. Unfortunately for him, his excellent strike went just over the crossbar. The goalkeeper probably wouldn’t have been able to save it if it had been on target. The ball went out of play.In the 83rd minute, we saw a red card for the home team, adding extra tension to the final moments of the match. Jorrel Hato received a direct red card after tripping an opponent, giving the visitors a chance to equalize in the last ten minutes of the game.La Roja managed to take advantage of the extra player and scored in the final moments of the match. Mikel Merino pounced on a rebound inside the box and sent the ball straight down the middle of the GOAL.Mikel Merino’s first goal in #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/CIZp8LlGxp— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 20, 2025 In a replay of the 2018 World Cup final, we saw chances on both sides right from the start.In the 4th minute, Ousmane Dembele received a good pass on the edge of the penalty area and struck a low shot down the middle, but the goalkeeper reacted well and saved it.Just a minute later, we saw big excitement on the other end. In the 5th minute, Ibrahima Konate handled the ball inside his own box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Andrej Kramaric stepped up to take it but was unsuccessful.CROATIA MISSES A PENALTY!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Gl9pLcVw7l— The Screenshot Lad (@thescreenlad) March 20, 2025 However, this did not discourage the home team, and in the 15th minute, they created another chance. Josko Gvardiol received an accurate pass inside the box and immediately shot low down the middle, but the goalkeeper was ready and made a fantastic save.Just two minutes later, Kylian Mbappe had a chance to equalize, but a home defender blocked his shot at the last moment.As punishment for France’s lackluster performance, Croatia scored again. Ante Budimir connected perfectly with a brilliant cross and headed the ball past the right post. The goalkeeper had no chance. There is the GOAL!🔥 Ante Budimir! 🔥 #CROFRA 📸 Cropix#NationsLeague #Family #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/fzLPyYz1W4— HNS (@HNS_CFF) March 20, 2025 France didn’t seem affected by this goal and didn’t push forward too aggressively. On the other hand, Croatia took full advantage of their chances.In the 46th minute, Ivan Perisic struck the ball first-time inside the box, beating the goalkeeper as it landed in the bottom left corner. You can see the goal HERE.HT | 🇭🇷 2:0 🇫🇷Well. It’s #Croatia with a two-goal advantage at the break, following a missed penalty in the opening minutes! ⏸️ #CROFRAKeep up the good work, guys! 👊#NationsLeague | #PokažiSrce | #Family | #Vatreni❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/afrN3p4d2j— HNS (@HNS_CFF) March 20, 2025 In the second half, France tried to at least reduce the home team’s lead.In the 59th minute, Ousmane Dembele found himself in a good opportunity when he met a cross inside the penalty area and fired a shot on goal. However, his effort was off target, as the ball went wide to the right.Just a few seconds later, we saw another chance. Once again, Dembele received an accurate pass and shot from a promising position. However, Dominik Livakovic was alert and made a solid save to stop his shot, which was heading down the middle of the goal.Kylian Mbappe also had a chance in the 81st minute. He received an accurate pass and, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, decided to shoot toward the right post. However, Dominik Livakovic leaped like a cat and made a fantastic save.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUELeague A playoffs – Quarter-finalsThursdayCroatia – France 2-0 (2-0)/Budimir 26, Perisic 45+1/Denmark – Portugal 1-0 (0-0)/Hojlund 78/Italy – Germany 1-2 (1-0)/Tonali 9 – Kleindienst 49, Goretzka 76/Netherlands – Spain 2-2 (1-1)/Gakpo 28, Reijnders 46 – Williams 9, Merino 90+3/League A/B relegation playoffsThursdayTurkey – Hungary 3-1 (1-1)/Kokcu 9, Akturkoglu 69, Kahveci 73 – Schafer 25/Austria – Serbia 1-1 (1-0)/Gregoritsch 37 – Samardzic 62/Greece – Scotland 0-1 (0-1)/McTominay 32 pen/Ukraine – Belgium 3-1 (0-1)/Gutsulyak 66, Vanat 73, Zabarnyi 79 – Lukaku 40/League B/C relegation playoffsThursdayArmenia – Georgia 0-3 (0-2)/Kochorashvili 33, Mikautadze 37, 59/Bulgaria – R.Ireland 1-2 (1-2)/Petkov 6 – Azaz 21, Doherty 42/Kosovo – Iceland 2-1 (1-1)/Dellova 19, Rexhbecaj 58 – Oskarsson 22/Slovakia – Slovenia 0-0
