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Spain national football team
European Under-21s Championship | Group Stage
Jun 12, 2013 at 5pm UK
 
Netherlands national football team

3-0

Spain top Group B with comfortable victory

Spain make it three wins from three Group B matches with a 3-0 victory over the Netherlands in the European Under-21 Championships.

Spain made it three wins from three Group B matches with a 3-0 victory over the Netherlands in the European Under-21 Championships on Wednesday.

The three points ensured that Spain topped the group, setting up a semi-final clash with Norway in the process. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will face Group A winners Italy in the last-four stage.

It was Spain who took control of the possession in the early stages with Thiago and Isco enjoying plenty of touches in the middle of midfield.

The Netherlands, who made 11 changes to their side, were also a threat on the counter, however, with the pace and movement of Memphis Depay and Danny Hoesen.

Alvaro Morata had a half-chance for Spain when he met a sweeping ball from Thiago after 15 minutes, but Marco Bizot was quick off his line to quell the danger.

Florian Jozefzoon had the Netherlands' first real chance five minutes later, but he could only clip over the crossbar from a wide position. Morata had another half-chance for Spain from outside the box, but his effort whistled wide of the post.

Morata did have his goal after 25 minutes, however, when he tapped home from close range following good work from Pablo Sarabia.

The Netherlands had a glorious chance after 30 minutes, but David de Gea made a fine save to deny Mike van der Hoorn following poor defending from Spain.

The Dutch were made to pay moments later, however, when Isco burst into the box before clipping an effort past the onrushing Bizot.

Sarabia had a half-chance to add Spain's third moments into the second period, but the attacker lost his footing at the final moment after combining with Morata inside the box.

Jozefzoon continued to look the more likely for the Netherlands with the 22-year-old twice curling efforts towards the top corner, but he was unable to find the back of the net.

Depay came within an inch of cutting the deficit to 2-1 moments before the hour mark when he thumped a free kick from outside the box, but it rattled the crossbar, with replays suggesting that De Gea made the slightest of touches.

Alvaro Vasquez came close to scoring Spain's third after 65 minutes, but Bizot was across to make a fine save at the vital moment, before Asier Illarramendi's effort was blocked on the line.

Both sides made changes in the latter stages, but it did nothing to quell the Spanish threat with Daniel Carvajal curling an effort just wide of the post after 72 minutes.

Adam Maher did come close for the Netherlands moments later, but once more De Gea was on hand to make a smart save at his near post.

Hoesen had a glorious chance to end Spain's perfect defensive record in stoppage time, but the forward could only rattle the crossbar from close range.

Spain were not finished, however, as Vasquez fired home from close range to make it 3-0 in the final minute.

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Written by
Matt Law
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Spain players celebrate after Alvaro Morata scored the only goal of the match against Germany on June 9, 2013
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