Nations League round-up: Merino denies Dutch at death

Soccer-De la Fuente preaches importance of suffering as Spain seek semi-final spot

(Reuters) - Spain may be reigning European champions and title holders in the Nations League, where they are seeking a semi-final spot, but even the best sides must learn to suffer if they are to succeed, coach Luis de la Fuente said on Saturday. Read full story

This Sunday, after having conceded Thursday the draw in the Netherlands (2-2), Spain welcomes the Dutch for the return game of the quarter finals of the League of Nations.

For the chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, it would be better for the Dutch team if Oranje is eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Nations League on Sunday evening (kick-off 20:45) by European champion Spain. The first match in the quarter-finals ended in a 2-2 draw.

After the game, in the guts of 'The Bathtub', which is as the stadium of the Feyenoord is known, a phrase ran like gunpowder from one side to the other. "In...

Nations League round-up: Merino denies Dutch at death

Arsenal's Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time equaliser as European champions Spain snatched a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their Nations League quarter-final first leg.

At the last minute Spain takes advantage of its outnumber and saves against the Netherlands a 2:2. Mikel Merino is the celebrated man.