Mikel Merino was the hero for Spain as La Roja snatched a stoppage-time equaliser against 10-man Netherlands to secure a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final.
Merino, who has deputised as a striker for Arsenal in the absence of Kai Havertz, came on as a midfielder but proved his knack for goalscoring as he tapped in a close-range rebound three minutes into added time in Rotterdam.
The Dutch had dominated much of the match – having recovered from Nico Williams’ early goal to go 2-1 up via Cody Gakpo and Tijjani Reijnders – but faltered after a late red card for 19-year-old defender Jorrel Hato.
And Merino popped up a couple minutes from time to give Spain a goal that maintain a two-year unbeaten streak and gives the European champions the advantage ahead of the second leg in Valencia on Sunday.
In the evening’s other blockbuster tie, Germany came from behind to beat Italy 2-1 as two of the continent’s most successful sides met at the San Siro.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali had opened the scoring early on, putting the finishing touches on a well-worked goal, and though the Azzurri continued to look dangerous it was Germany who scored next, with substitute Tim Kleindienst heading in four minutes after the break.
