Goals from Stefan de Vrij and Davey Klaassen helped Netherlands record a 2-0 win over Spain in their international friendly on Tuesday evening.

Both goals came in the space of three first-half minutes and despite a strong response from Spain, the hosts kept their clean sheet intact to record a solid win against the European champions.

Here, Sports Mole dissects what was an entertaining 90 minutes of action in Amsterdam.

Match statistics

NETHERLANDS
Shots: 7
On target: 5
Possession: 45%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 12

SPAIN
Shots: 13
On target: 3
Possession: 55%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 7

Was the result fair?

In truth, Spain can feel a little unfortunate that they were beaten by two goals in Amsterdam. Netherlands took charge of the match in the early moments and opened the scoring after 13 minutes when De Vrij headed a Wesley Sneijder cross into the back of the net. It became 2-0 just three minutes later when Klaassen converted from close range and it did appear that the Dutch would run away with it once again. Spain must have had flashbacks to the 5-1 thumping that they took at last summer's World Cup, but in fairness to the visitors, they were the better team for long spells of the match. Netherlands deserved to lead at the interval, but Spain will feel that their first-half performance, especially late on, deserved a goal.

Netherlands had bits and pieces in the second period, but it was Spain that controlled long spells. David Silva and Vitolo both entered for La Roja at the interval and that certainly made a difference in the final third. That said, for all Spain's probing in the final third of the field, they managed just three attempts on goal, which will certainly have disappointed head coach Vicente del Bosque. When reviewing the match as a whole, a two-goal defeat is a little harsh on Spain. A draw would probably have been a fair result, but Netherlands must be credited for their defensive performance, which was strong.

Netherlands' performance

Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink resisted the urge to make too many changes in Amsterdam and instead named a side that is not too far away from his strongest XI. Hiddink entered the match under a bit of pressure following a less-than impressive Euro 2016 qualification campaign thus far, but he got a response from his team here. Memphis Depay had a wonderful game in the final third, while it was an impressive evening for Klaassen, who netted on just his second international appearance. At the back, meanwhile, De Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi were both brilliant. The former opened the scoring with a super header, while the latter made a number of telling blocks when Spain increased the pressure in the second half.

Sneijder also underlined his importance to the side with a strong display and the Dutch supporters will be pleased with what they saw from their team. As mentioned, they came out of the traps in impressive fashion, with their forward players causing Spain nightmares at the back. As expected, there was a response from the visitors after the two quick-fire goals, but the Dutch showed that they can defend a lead. Goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer was forced into a couple of good saves, but it was not an overly busy night for the stopper, who was given a chance between the sticks. Netherlands are still adapting to Hiddink and vice versa, but a strong win against the reigning European champions will do them no harm at all.

Spain's performance

Spain boss Del Bosque was true to his word and made a total of nine changes to the team that faced Ukraine in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday. There was a debut for Juanmi, while Mario Suarez, Juan Bernat and Raul Albiol were among those that were given the chance to make an impact. It was an opening 16 minutes to forget, however, with the home side racing into a two-goal lead. Spain's defending for both goals was poor, with De Vrij being allowed to ghost unmarked into the box for the first and Santi Cazorla guilty of losing Klaassen, who had two bites at the cherry, for the second. It would have been easy for an inexperienced team to fold, but they did show character to respond in the latter stages of the half. Juanmi lacked service for long spells, but did show some bright moments when he was allowed to link with Isco.

Cesc Fabregas and Cazorla both failed to make an impact, however, and there is no question that Spain improved in the second period when Silva, Vitolo and eventually Alvaro Morata, were introduced. There was plenty of incisive football in the final third, but no-one was too prepared to take matters into their own hands. A certain Diego Costa might have made a big difference, but there was still more than enough talent in the team to find the back of the net. On another day, Spain would have netted early in the second period and went on to at least draw the game, but it was not to be in Amsterdam. It was a Spain team far from full strength and while there were positives, Del Bosque still has a lot of work to do moving forward.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Bruno Martins Indi: The Porto defender had a wonderful game. He was guilty of missing an incredible chance in the second period, but that was the only blot on his performance. Time after time he made blocks and clearances at vital moments and was always in the right position to keep his side's clean sheet intact. He had plenty going on ahead of him for long spells, but remained focused on the task in hand.

Biggest gaffe

Spain will not want to see too many replays of the home side's second goal this evening. Klaassen had his first effort saved by David de Gea, but still had time to pick his spot at the second time of asking under little pressure. In the first instance, the midfielder was allowed to drift unmarked into the box and even then, was not picked up. It was a poor moment for La Roja.

Referee performance

Referee William Collum had a solid night. The Scot allowed the game to flow in the correct areas and despite a couple of late challenges, was unprepared to issue a single booking, which is good to see in friendly matches. In truth, Collum was not seen for long spells, which is always a good sign for an official.

What next?

Netherlands: Hiddink's side will face USA in a friendly on June 5, before continuing their Euro 2016 Group A qualification campaign away to Latvia on June 12.

Spain: La Roja continue their Group C Euro 2016 qualification campaign with a trip to Belarus on June 14.