Netherlands and Spain met in an international friendly in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening.
The home side led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Stefan de Vrij and Davy Klaassen.
Spain dominated much of the second period, but could not find a goal as the Dutch ran out comfortable winners.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live international coverage continues from Amsterdam as Netherlands welcome Spain. It might only be a friendly, but Spain will certainly have revenge on their minds after what occurred at the World Cup last summer. It has all the makings of a real cracker here!
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS:
NED: Vermeer; Janmaat, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Willems; Blind, Narsingh, Klaassen; Sneijder, Huntelaar, Depay
SPAIN: De Gea; Carvajal, Pique, Albiol, Bernat; Suarez, Isco, Cazorla; Pedro, Fabregas, Juanmi
So there we have it. Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink has selected a strong XI for tonight's match, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leading an attack that also includes Wesley Sneijder and in-demand youngster Memphis Depay. Kenneth Vermeer will start between the sticks, while there is also a place at left-back for Jetro Willems. Manchester United's Daley Blind will seemingly start in central midfield.
Spain boss Vicente del Bosque, meanwhile, has rung the changes. David de Gea, Dani Carvajal, Raul Albiol, Juan Bernat, Mario Suarez, Santi Cazorla, Pedro and Cesc Fabregas come into the team, while there is a debut for Malaga youngster Juanmi. Sevilla's Vitolo is on the bench, but the 25-year-old is expected to be involved at some point tonight. It is a very experimental Spain XI tonight!
These two nations have met just twice since 2002, but they were both fairly big games. In 2010, Spain beat Netherlands 1-0 in the final of the World Cup courtesy of a extra-time strike from Andres Iniesta, but the Dutch exacted revenge at the 2014 World Cup when they thumped La Roja 5-1 in the group stages.
Spain entered last summer's tournament among the favourites despite the fact that no European team had won the competition on South American soil, but they were humbled in their first group match when Netherlands scored five times. As it turned out, the Dutch went on to finish third in a very impressive tournament, but Spain were left licking their wounds after going out in the group stages.
As mentioned, those two World Cup matches are the only time that the two teams have met since 2002, when they faced off in a friendly. It was Netherlands that recorded a 1-0 victory that night and the Dutch have won three of the last four meetings between the two nations. They have had La Roja's number.
That said, things have not exactly gone swimmingly for Netherlands since Louis van Gaal left his position at the end of the World Cup. Hiddink's first match in charge was a 2-0 defeat to Italy in a friendly back in September, before they lost their opening Euro 2016 qualifier to Czech Republic.
Netherlands responded with a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan to move off the mark in Group A, but they were then beaten 2-0 in Iceland. A break from competitive football did not bring a charge in form as they lost 3-2 to Mexico in a friendly last November, but their final match of the year saw them record a 6-0 win over Latvia to move onto six points in their Euro 2016 qualification group.
Netherlands were also in action on Saturday and it did appear Turkey would be claiming all the points on their trip to Amsterdam, but a late equaliser from Sneijder saw Hiddink's side claim a point. As a result, they currently sit third in Group A – five points behind second-place Iceland. In truth, it would be an absolute travesty if Netherlands did not make it out this particular group.
Netherlands do not return to competitive action until June 12, when they face a trip to Latvia. However, they will host USA in a friendly on June 5. Hiddink now has some time to prepare his squad, but he will see tonight's match as the perfect chance to put smiles back on the faces of the supporters.
Spain, however, will be keen to gain revenge from that mauling at the World Cup. Del Bosque promised to make changes following last summer's tournament and while there are a number of new faces, it is still a squad full of experience and a team that, on paper at least, can compete with the best.
That said, Spain limped over the line in their last match rather than producing a telling and confident performance. Ukraine were the visitors to Seville in Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier and the hosts took a first-half lead through Alvaro Morata, but then had to survive a host of second-half pressure to claim all the points. Like Hiddink, Del Bosque certainly has work to do in the months ahead.
Spain's first match after the 2014 World Cup ended in a 1-0 friendly defeat to France, but La Roja kicked off their Euro 2016 Group C qualification campaign with an impressive 5-1 win at home to Macedonia. Teething problems were apparent, however, and they then lost 2-1 in Slovakia to suffer their first qualifying defeat since October 2006. The critics were circling once again.
Spain responded with back-to-back wins over Luxembourg and Belarus without conceding a goal, but they then lost to world champions Germany in a friendly on November 18. As mentioned, they returned to winning ways against Ukraine on Friday, but it was far from a convincing performance.
Spain are better placed in their group than Netherlands, however, with 12 points from their five Group A games leaving them second. They are three points behind the leaders Slovakia, but they have them to come on home soil. Despite their troubles, it seems almost impossible that they will miss out on a spot in Euro 2016. Right, little under 15 minutes until kickoff in Amsterdam tonight.
PREDICTION! This has all the makings of a fascinating match. It might be a friendly on paper, but there is pride at stake in Amsterdam. Hiddink needs a big result to ease some of the pressure, but Spain will be keen to gain revenge for last summer. I think it could be tight for long spells, with both teams passing and probing in the final third. I am going to sit on the fence and back a 1-1 draw.
Who remembers this? No Van Persie tonight, but what a moment this was...
Here we go then. Both sets of players will soon join us on the field in Amsterdam. Just a reminder that England are also in action against Italy tonight and you can follow that here.
The national anthems are being wonderfully observed by what is a passionate crowd this evening. This is a friendly, but games between two of the best national teams in the world are always special.
Del Bosque and Hiddink have a very warm embrace, which is good to see. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope that we have an entertaining clash in Amsterdam. It is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway.
As expected, the away side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, which is not a surprise. Both of these teams will attempt to gain an early foot-hold. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be important in this type of fixture.
Netherlands have the chance to threaten from a corner, but Sneijder's delivery is headed clear at the near post. Narsingh is involved down the left moments later, but his cross is cleared by Pique. Juanmi slides in Isco down the other end on the counter, but the Real Madrid midfielder was offside.
Half-chance for Spain as Albiol meets a cross from the right, but his header was always dropping wide of the post. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances for either team thus far here.
Isco is playing through the middle for Spain at the moment, with Juanmi in support. Netherlands have their first attempt on goal as Depay cuts inside, but it is a fairly comfortable save for De Gea. Just a few signs that both teams are warming to their task with eight minutes on the clock here.
Both teams have had their moments in the opening 10 minutes, but we are still waiting for the first real opportunity. Depay has been threatening for the home side, while Juanmi has been nice and bright for Spain on what is his international debut. The pace of the match is good at the moment.
Mario Suarez almost puts his team in trouble with a poor pass outside the box, but Sneijder cannot slide a pass into Depay, who has been threatening down the left thus far. Netherlands have just started to dominate the possession in the final third, but the final pass has not been there thus far.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Spain (De Vrij)
Netherlands lead with 13 minutes on the clock as Sneijder delivers a super cross towards defender De Vrij, who angles his header into the bottom corner. Super goal from the home side, who lead.
Not sure about some of the defending from Spain in the build-up to that Dutch goal, but it was a super header from the centre-back. This is now a real test for what is an experimental Spain XI.
GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 (Klaassen)
Oh my word! Netherlands score their second of the night as Klaasen finishes from close range after he had first been denied by De Gea. Excellent Dutch football in the build-up it must be said!
That is Klaassen's first Dutch goal on just his second appearance for the national team. Another exciting midfielder coming through the ranks. Spain are a little all over the place at the moment.
Isco is finding plenty of space in the Netherlands half, but the Real Madrid attacker has thus far been able to pick a pass. Bernat is down the left for the away side moments later, but the full-back was offside. Netherlands break straight down the other end and again Spain look poor defensively.
Possession football from the home side in the last couple of minutes and there is no question that Spain are becoming frustrated. From a neutral point of view, Spain need to score the next goal here.
Spain are still finding plenty of space in the Dutch half, but they are struggling to take the final step as Juanmi remains isolated in attack. Eventually Isco delivers towards Juanmi, but the Malaga attacker was in an offside position. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining in Amsterdam.
It is all fairly simple for Netherlands at the moment, with Hiddink's team playing at their own pace in all areas of the field. To be honest, the home side are in complete control of this game at the moment.
Spain have just been a little better in the last couple of minutes, with Isco finding more space in the final third. Again the attacker looks to slide a pass into Juanmi, but Martins Indi is on hand to clear. Fabregas takes the resulting corner, but the Dutch clear at the near post. Still 2-0 Netherlands.
This is a really good spell for Spain as they continue to dominate the possession.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Spain as Pedro dances into the Netherlands box before attempting to escape the clutches of Vermeer, but the Netherlands goalkeeper sticks to his task and manages to make the block. Excellent work from the experienced stopper. Easily Spain's best chance thus far.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and Spain are enjoying their best spell of the game. You just get the feeling that they need to find the back of the net during this spell.
Pedro is again involved for Spain as he collects a super pass before finding Carvajal, but Martins Indi is out to make a really good challenge. Moments later, Juanmi turns outside the box, but just fires his effort wide of the post. This is much, much better from the European champions at the moment.
Depay again shows wonderful feet as he escapes two challenges before sliding a pass into Willems, but Pique is across to make a vital challenge. This is a really good game at the moment here.
There is always a worry that international friendlies will be quite poor affairs. Well, that is not the case this evening. Both teams are committing numbers in the final third as we approach the final five minutes of the first period. In fairness to Spain, they have been the better side since falling 2-0 behind.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the tempo is still high in the middle of the park. Pedro appears to have a problem for Spain as he hits the deck.
Juanmi remains a threat for Spain as Isco slides a super pass into the Malaga forward, but his touch lets him down and De Vrij is across to clear. Not much going forward for Netherlands at the moment.
HALF-TIME: Netherlands 2-0 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Netherlands leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from De Vrij and Klaassen. Both goals came in the space of three minutes, with Spain showing signs of weakness at the back. Can La Roja respond in the second 45 minutes here?
BENCH WATCH! Spain have an embarrassment of riches on their bench this evening, with the likes of Morata, Busquets, Silva, Iniesta, Koke, Ramos and Vitolo all available. Netherlands, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Dost, Afellay, Wijnaldum, Promes and De Guzman.
STATS! Netherlands just about shaded the first-half possession with 52%, while they had four attempts - all of which were on target. Spain, meanwhile, managed just one of their four attempts on target. There have not been any bookings thus far despite a couple of tasty challenges.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Spain find a route back into the match? It will be tough. The hosts get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUBS! Spain have made two changes at the break, with Silva and Vitolo on for Isco and Pedro. It is a Spain debut for Vitolo, who has been in wonderful form for Sevilla this season.
No changes for Netherlands, but I suspect that Hiddink will use his bench as the half advances. The home side have taken control of the possession in the early stages of the second period here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early minutes of the second period, but the home side have been the more inventive in the final third. Vitolo gets his first touch for Spain and attempts to slide a pass into Juanmi, but Dutch goalkeeper Vermeer is out to claim at the vital moment.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Spain as Silva works the ball into Bernat, who delivers a super cross towards Fabregas, but the Chelsea midfielder cannot make contact from close range.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this evening as both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third. Spain look more threatening with Silva on the field here.
CHANCE! Netherlands have the chance to threaten in a wide area as Blind slides a pass into Narsingh, but the midfielder's cross is cut out at the near post. The resulting corner is delivered towards Martins Indi, but somehow his header bounces over the crossbar. What a chance!
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Depay cuts inside before firing one towards the bottom corner, but De Gea is across to make the save. It is all happening at the moment!
Excellent goalkeeping from De Gea as the Spaniard comes out to clear a through pass from Klaassen, who had searched out Depay. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Amsterdam tonight.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments following a number of late challenges, but there has still not been a single yellow card here.
Spain have a free kick just and I mean just outside the box as Huntelaar fells Vitolo...
... CLOSE! Pique curls the resulting set piece towards the bottom corner, but Vermeer makes the save. What on earth was Pique doing taking that free kick - excellent!
SUBS! Spain make their third change of the match as Juventus forward Morata replaces Juanmi, while Netherlands introduce Wijnaldum in place of the excellent Sneijder.
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in Amsterdam and the home side still lead 2-0. Spain have arguably had the better of the second period, but have found Vermeer in excellent form here.
Narsingh remains a threat for the home side in wide positions, but once again the midfielder's cross is cleared at the near post. Netherlands try the opposite side moments later, but Depay is forced back inside and Spain deal with the danger. Still plenty of football remaining in Amsterdam here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Vitolo to register for Spain after a clever pass from Morata, but his low effort moves wide of the post. What an opportunity for the debut boy there!
SUBS! Spain make two more changes as Ramos and San Jose replace Pique and Suarez.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Spain have the ball in the back of the net as Silva converts from close range, but the midfielder is correctly ruled offside at the final moment.
Spain are really pressing forward at the moment, with Morata making a difference in the final third. However, it just will not happen in terms of a goal. Netherlands are looking a little tired now.
SUB! Netherlands make their second change as Jonathan de Guzman replaces Blind.
The flow of the match has not really been interrupted despite the number of changes that have occurred. Spain are on top and it has been that way for much of the second period here.
Half-chance for Spain as Cazorla meets a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Spain are preparing to make their sixth and final change here.
SUB! Spain make their sixth change as Iniesta replaces Cazorla.
Netherlands remain nice and solid at the back, but they are struggling to keep the ball at the moment as Spain continue to force the issue. Fabregas tries his luck from outside the box, but Vermeer is across to make another save. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining tonight.
SUB! Netherlands make their third change as Dost replaces Huntelaar.
It is all one-way traffic as Spain continue to pass and probe in the Dutch half, but they just cannot find the back of the net. One goal for Spain would set us up for a grandstand finish tonight.
Another half-chance for Spain as Fabregas drills a low cross towards Morata, but Martins Indi somehow manages to make the clearance. Netherlands are down the other end moments later, but San Jose is on hand to head clear. End-to-end football with 83 minutes on the clock here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Wijnaldum breaks into the Spain box, but his effort is the wrong side of the post. That would have been very much against the run of play!
SUB! Netherlands make their fourth change as Afellay replaces Depay.
Again it is excellent defending from Martins Indi, who blocks a close-range header from Morata as the pressure continues to build. Ramos meets the resulting corner, but Vermeer makes the save.
Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and Spain are still on the front foot, but Martins Indi has been sensational at the back for Netherlands as he makes yet another clearance.
Spain again work the ball into the box, before Silva attempts to square, but once again the danger is cleared. No-one wants to shoot in this Spain team at the moment - it is quite incredible.
Netherlands have managed to regain control of the possession as we enter stoppage time here.
Spain have arguably been the better team this evening, but they are going to lose this match. Netherlands have had their number in recent games that is for certain.
FULL-TIME: Netherlands 2-0 Spain
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Netherlands running out 2-0 winners against Spain. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!