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It promised to be a colourful affair at the Amsterdam Arena as Ons Oranje took on La Roja. However, fans of both the Netherlands and Spain were left demanding for more as ninety minutes failed to separate the two nations.
The two teams met for just the third time since the infamous 2010 FIFA World Cup Final, with the Netherlands having claimed victories in the two encounters since. Spain were looking for a statement win over their European rivals, having scored just once against them - while conceding seven - in the last decade.
And La Roja were given the perfect start by Real Betis midfielder Sergio Canales, who gave his side the lead in the eighteenth minute. The goal came courtesy of the in-form Alvaro Morata, who dropped deep before supplying the penetrative ball for the midfielder to slot home.
However, Spain were unable to hold on to or double their advantage, and allowed their opponents to hit back early in the second half. Manchester United's Donny van de Beek fired a scintillating volley past debutant Unai Simon in goal after some good build-up by the Dutchmen.
With the two sides now heading into crucial UEFA Nations League stage, we look at five things we learnt from their latest encounter.
#1 Four without a win for Netherlands
It wasn't the result the Oranje were hoping for, as they were held to a draw by Luis Enrique's Spain in Amsterdam. The Dutchmen have struggled to get going since the arrival of Frank de Boer, with the ex-player having taken the reigns from Barcelona-bound Ronald Koeman in September.
Since then, the 2010 World Cup finalists have faced Mexico, Bosnia ad Herzegovina, Italy, and Spain, losing against Mexico while registering back-to-back-to-back draws against the rest. In failing to win any of his first four matches as the manager of the Dutch national team, De Boer recorded the unwanted feat of being the first to do so.
The former Ajax and Inter Milan manager must now hope for a quick turnaround, as his team take on Poland and Bosnia in the Nations League soon with elimination looming.
#2 In-form Morata gives Spain the edge
Alvaro Morata's stock fell considerably following his ill-fated move to Chelsea back in 2017. The Spaniard went from hero to villain at Stamford Bridge quickly, with the Blues fans' frustrations eventually boiling over after a series of missed chances during his short spell.
The striker has been back to Spain since leaving London, but currently finds himself in Turin playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala. And it is at Juventus that Morata seems to have found his best form back, having netted six goals in just eight appearances for the Old Lady.
A string of good performances led to Luis Enrique recalling the 28-year-old to national team set-up. Morata made the most of this opportunity by providing a nice assist for Sergio Canales as his team went one-nil up against the Netherlands.
Enrique will hope that Morata's good form continues over the next week, with Spain set to meet Germany in a match that will likely decide who goes to Nations League Finals.
#3 Van de Beek reminder for Manchester United
The core of the 2018/19 Ajax team, which made a run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, was finally dismantled this summer as Donny van de Beek joined Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder followed teammates Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, and Hakim Ziyech in doing so, with all of them now based at a top European club.
However, unlike De Ligt, De Jong, and Ziyech, Van de Beek has found minutes in the first-team hard to come by. The 23-year-old has been scarcely used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from the start this season, with the United manager preferring to deploy him as an impact sub.
Nonetheless, Van de Beek gave the Red Devils and their manager a timely reminder of his talents, as he scored with a ferocious volley against Spain. The youngster arrived late into the box before finishing past Unai Simon with a thumping effort following a cross by Owen Wjindal.
Both Manchester United and the Netherlands face a string of important fixtures in the coming weeks, and Van de Beek will be hoping to play a more crucial role this time around.
#4 Evergreen Ramos hits stunning milestone
Fifteen years and nine months after making his debut for the Spanish national team, captain Sergio Ramos came on for his one hundred and seventy-sixth appearance (176) against the Netherlands. In doing so, the Real Madrid man became equalled Gianluigi Buffon's record for most appearances by a player for a European nation.
Ramos has been an integral part of the Spain set-up since his debut in 2005, and he has retained the arm band since being handed the captaincy ahead of the UEFA Euro 2016. During the same period, the centre-back has helped La Roja lift three international trophies - FIFA World Cup 2010, UEFA Euro 2008, and UEFA Euro 2012 - while contributing with decisive actions at both ends of the pitch.
More broken records could be on the horizon for Ramos, with the defender currently tied with Alfredo di Stefano for national team goals (23). He is also just nine appearances away from breaking the record for most international caps, which is currently held by Ahmed Hassan of Egypt (184).
#5 Familiar failings for De Boer
Frank de Boer's managerial career quickly unravelled following his decision to leave Ajax back in 2016. Four years from then, the Dutchman returned to his native land, following stints in Italy, England, and even across the Atlantic. However, his slow start as the Dutch national team manager has become an all-too familiar theme.
De Boer found himself with little time to settle in after joining Inter Milan in 2016. The demands of a top European club, coupled with poor results, saw him depart Italy after just eighty-five days. Crystal Palace beckoned next for the Dutchman, but with his team failing to win - or score - in any of their first four games of the 2017/18 league season, he was once again relieved of his duties.
Following another unsuccessful stint as the manager of MLS side Atalanta United, De Boer returned to the Netherlands to manage the national team. However, a failure to win any of his first four matches has brought back a familiar sense of dread for the Dutchman.
With several key players either injured or ruled out due to COVID-19 restrictions, De Boer must hope for quick improvement or face the prospect of elimination from the 2021 Nations League Finals.
