Dutch inflict more woe on Spain

Spain failed to banish memories of their 5-1 World Cup humiliation as they fell to a 2-0 defeat to the Netherlands in an international friendly at the Amsterdam Arena.

First-half goals from Stefan de Vrij and Davy Klaassen ensured the Netherlands recorded another triumph over their rivals and also returned to winning ways on home turf.

Held by Turkey in a European qualifier on Saturday, Guus Hiddink's side bounced back in the perfect way, scoring twice inside the opening 20 minutes to shock Spain.

It took the hosts just 13 minutes to open the scoring, defender De Vrij heading in from Wesley Sneijder's cross. Klaassen doubled the lead just three minutes later as he tapped in a rebound after seeing his initial shot parried by David De Gea.

Spain responded well to the early setbacks with Pedro and debutant Juanmi both going close to grabbing one back before the half-time whistle.

The visitors controlled the second-half but failed to break through the Dutch, goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer stopping Gerard Pique's free-kick and Martins Indi making a number of vital interventions.

The best chance of the period fell to Spain substitute Vitolo on 67 minutes but he somehow managed to steer wide from close distance.

4' - SAVE! Netherlands lose the ball to Fabregas in their own half, the Chelsea man plays in Isco with just the goalkeeper to beat but Vermeer makes himself big to make the save. Wouldn't have counted though, the lineman flagged for offside.

13' - GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Spain. The hosts have the lead through De Vrij! Sneijder's corner was cleared by the Spain defence but the ball fell back into the possession of the winger who drilled a curled pass across the face of goal and De Vrij meets it to head the ball into the back of the net.

16' - GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 Spain. Klaassen has doubled the host's lead and Spain are having deja-vu of that awful night in Brazil! A lovely flowing move from the Netherlands as Depay finds Klaassen in space, the midfielder sees his first shot saved by De Gea but he doesn't make any mistake on the second attempt!

32' - SAVE! A wonderful save from Vermeer maintains his side's two goal lead as Pedro works his way into the box but the goalkeeper gets a big hand to deny the Barcelona man.

34' - JUST WIDE! Spain are coming closer! Juanmi turns on the edge of the area and curls a shot towards the corner of the goal but the ball falls just wide of the post.

50' - CHANCE! Spain move the ball with ease with Bernat gathering on the flank and he plays a dangerous pass across the face of goal and somehow Fabregas misses his connection and the ball rolls out for a throw-in! All it needed was any sort of touch on the ball.

52' - OVER! What a chance for the Netherlands! The unmarked Martins Indi heads over from close range after meeting Sneijder's deadly cross. What a sitter - it was almost harder to miss!

60' - SAVE! Pique drills a low shot which finds its way past the wall, taking a deflection on the way and Vermeer does really well to make the stop with his foot!

67' - WIDE! A great lobbed pass from Suarez is blocked by a home defender, the ball falls kindly to Morata who lays on Vitolo but the substitute gets his shot all wrong, screwing well wide of the goal. What an opportunity.

83' - OVER! That should have been game, set and match as the ball falls to Wijnaldum inside the penalty area but somehow he puts the ball over the bar!

Wesley Sneijder has now played more games for the Dutch national team than any other outfield player.

Davy Klaassen (31 touches, 24 passes, all completed) was the only player not to lose possession in the first-half.

Stefan de Vrij (27 caps, 3 goals) scored two of his three goals for the Dutch national team against Spain.

The Dutch triumph over Spain once again. Okay, it wasn't a 5-1 scoreline but after 16 minutes the Spain fans could see another embarrassment in sight. The visitors did improve but their lack of composure in front of goal meant they couldn't force a comeback. The Netherlands defence looked strong throughout and the win should give them a much needed confident boost going into the closing stages of the European qualifiers.

Martins Indi (Netherlands): The defender didn't have the best of performances in the first-half as he was guilty of giving the ball away cheaply on a couple of occasions but he certainly improved in the second period and almost single-handedly kept Spain at bay.

Netherlands: Vermeer 8, Janmaat 7, De Vrij 8, Martins Indi 9, Willems 6, Klaassen 7, Blind 6, Sneijder 8, Narsingh 6, Huntelaar 6, Depay 8. Subs: Dost 6, de Guzman 6, Wijnaldum 6, Afellay 6.

Spain: De Gea, Carvajal, Piqué, Albiol, Bernat, Mario, Fàbregas, Cazorla, Pedro, Juanmi, Isco. Subs: Silva 7, Vitolo 6, Morata 7, San Jose 6, Ramos 6, Iniesta 6.