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Netherlands national football team
International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Spain national football team

2-0

de Vrij (13'), Klaassen (16')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Player Ratings: Netherlands 2-0 Spain

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Netherlands' 2-0 win over Spain in Amsterdam.

Netherlands recorded a 2-0 victory over Spain in their international friendly in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Stefan de Vrij and Davey Klaassen were both on the scoresheet for the home side, who beat Spain for the fourth time in their last five meetings.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed on the night.


Stefan de Vrij of Netherlands celebrates scoring the opening goal during the international friendly match between the Netherlands and Spain held at Amsterdam Arena on March 31, 2015© Getty Images

NETHERLANDS

Goal

Kenneth Vermeer: Was not overly busy for long spells, but answered the call when needed. Made a really smart save to deny Pedro in the first period and kept out a Gerard Pique free kick in the second. (7/10)

Defence

Daryl Janmaat: Was not too involved in the final third, but had a solid game defensively. Made a number of crucial challenges in the second period when Spain increased the tempo. (7/10)

Stefan de Vrij: Opened the scoring with a delicate header, but it was his defensive work that impressed the most. Made a number of strong challenges and was also calm and composed in possession. (8/10)

Bruno Martins Indi: Man-of-the-match performance from the Porto defender, who missed a golden chance in the second period, but was in front of everything at the other end. (8/10)

Jetro Willems: Was always prepared to break past Memphis Depay and put in a couple of excellent crosses in the first period. Can also be pleased with a strong display defensively. (7/10)

Midfield

Daley Blind: Plays such a vital role for this Dutch team. Not always obviously involved, but keeps things ticking over. Put himself in a couple of good positions in the second period. (7/10)

Wesley Sneijder: Remains such a crucial part of his national team. Set up his side's first with an excellent cross and could have had a couple more assists as he showed his quality on the ball. (8/10)

Davy Klaassen: Capped just his second Netherlands appearance with his first goal for the national team. Showed composure to finish from inside the box and demonstrated his range of passing. (7/10)

Attack

Luciano Narsingh: Had bits and pieces in the final third, but did not make too much of an impact in terms of crucial moments. Dropped deeper in the second 45 minutes. (6/10)

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: Provided a good focal point for his team, but hardly had any chances to find the back of the net. One of the home side's quieter players on the night. (6/10)

Memphis Depay: Further enhanced his growing reputation with another super performance. Gave Spain all sorts of problems and brought a couple of smart saves from David de Gea. (8/10)

Substitutes

Georginio Wijnaldum: Entered just past the hour mark for Sneijder and helped Netherlands regain some control of the midfield battle. Did plenty of running in the final 30 minutes. (7/10)

Jonathan de Guzman: Replaced Blind after 73 minutes and slotted effortlessly into midfield. Showed a nice range of passing. (6/10)

Bas Dost: Enjoying a fine season for Wolfsburg, but found it difficult to make his mark in Amsterdam after entering for the final 10 minutes. (6/10)

Ibrahim Afellay: Only given the final five minutes and hardly touched the ball. (6/10)


Netherlands Davy Klaassen (C) celebrates after scoring against Spain on March 31, 2015© Getty Images

SPAIN

Goal

David de Gea: Could do nothing with the first goal, but might be a little disappointed with the second. That said, he made a couple of smart saves in the first period during the home side's strong spell. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Carvajal: Given the chance to impress ahead of Juanfran, but in truth, the right-back struggled. Did not offer anything in the final third and found Depay tough to handle at the other end. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Enjoying a fine season for Barcelona, but did not look entirely comfortable alongside Raul Albiol. Saw his second-half free kick saved by Vermeer. (6/10)

Raul Albiol: A surprise inclusion at centre-back, the experienced defender had a fairly disappointing night. Was too slow for both goals and found the home side's pace difficult to handle. (5/10)

Juan Bernat: Guilty of some slack defending for the home side's first goal, but did set up Spain's best chance in the second period after finding Cesc Fabregas with a low cross. (6/10)

Midfield

Mario Suarez: Given the chance to impress in the absence of Sergio Busquets, but did not really make too much of an impression. Sloppy in possession and took up some poor positions. (6/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Had a wonderful chance to score in the second period, but could not make contact on Bernat's low cross. Suffering from a dip in form at the moment. (6/10)

Santi Cazorla: Started in an extremely deep position and did not move much further forward. Made little impact before being replaced by Iniesta after 76 minutes. (6/10)

Attack

Pedro: Had an excellent chance in the first half, but could not evade the capture of Vermeer. Showed some nice touches, but did not emerge for the second period as Vitolo came on for his debut. (6/10)

Isco: Was his team's most inventive player in the first period from a centre-forward's position, but departed alongside Pedro at the interval. (6/10)

Juanmi: Had a couple of bright moments on his Spain debut. Flashed one effort just wide of the post and was always available. Certainly one of Spain's brighter players. (6/10)

Substitutes

Vitolo: Had a golden chance to score on his debut after being found by Alvaro Morata, but fired his effort just wide of the post. Gave Spain more of a threat in the second period. (6/10)

David Silva: Spain looked a different proposition when the Manchester City midfielder was on the field. Set up a number of chances during a strong second-half performance. (7/10)

Alvaro Motata: Like Silva, Morata also made a difference in the second period. Caused problems in the Netherlands defence and also set up a couple of excellent chances. (7/10)

Sergio Ramos: Replaced Pique for the final 20 minutes and slotted effortlessly into the back four. Remains clear that Ramos and Pique is Spain's best centre-back partnership. (6/10)

Mikel San Jose: Had a fairly uneventful 20-minute cameo. Made a couple of smart headers, but did not see much of the ball as Spain pressed down the other end of the field. (6/10)

Andres Iniesta: Was the hero in the 2010 World Cup against Netherlands, but could not dig his team out of a hole in the final 15 minutes on this occasion. (6/10)


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Netherlands' defender Stefan de Vrij celebrates scoring their third goal during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014
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