Spain progressed to the Nations League semi-finals with a 3-3 (5-5 aggregate, 4-3 penalty shoot-out) win over the Netherlands in Valencia on Sunday evening, with goals galore on the eastern coast - as a Liverpool duo faltered somewhat on the night, whilst a Manchester United target made his availability known by having a dazzling game.
The game started rapidly when Mikel Oyarzabal was felled by Jan Paul van Hecke in the area, and the Real Sociedad forward fired home from the spot to put Spain into the lead.. It was all Spain from there; Nico Williams was twice prevented by Bart Verbruggen, and although Tijani Reijnders had a long-range effort thwarted by Spain stopper Unai Simon, they didn't look like offering much.
That wasn't the case after half-time. Robin Le Normand was adjudged to have brought Memphis Depay down moments after the restart, and the ex-Manchester United man lashed home to level. He was kept out by Simon minutes later, whilst Verbruggen was Williams' foe again with another smart save. But the winger got his revenge shortly after via a superb assist for Oyarzabal, who grabbed his second with a header despite an initial Verbruggen save.
Debutant and Aston Villa star Ian Maatsen didn't read the script though, as he lashed home to level at the Estadio Mestalla - sending the game to extra time. Lamine Yamal had been relatively quiet, but he left his mark with a superb chop and curled finish - but after the extra-time interval, substitute Xavi Simons left his stamp on the game after Simon brought him down, dusting himself off to equalise for the third time, sending the game to penalties.
Donyell Malen was the villain, missing his spot-kick after two hours of enthralling football to allow Pedri to smash home the winner in sudden death - and it's Spain who are into the semi-finals on a busy night at the Mestalla.
Spain Statistics Netherlands
10 Shots on target 8
4 Shots off target 4
51 Possession (%) 49
2 Yellow cards 1
14 Fouls 12
4 Corners 2
Match Highlights
Full match highlights to follow...
Spain Player Ratings
Mikel Oyarzabal scores a penalty for Spain vs Netherlands
Unai Simon - 6.5/10
Little to do as Spain dominated the ball, but he kept Depay's long-range strike out well and made a smart stop late on. Saved Malen's penalty in sudden death to give Spain the advantage.
Oscar Mingueza - 6.5/10
Solid enough at the back, and kept Cody Gakpo quiet on the wings. Some decent spells of playing his way out of danger, too.
Robin Le Normand - 5.5/10
Wasn't really tested at centre-back and almost scored with a header in the first half - but he pulled Depay down in the area to allow Koeman's men to equalise.
Dean Huijsen - 7.5/10
Bournemouth fans will fear that he won't be at the club much longer - and an assist for Yamal was evidence of his talent. An absolute Rolls-Royce of a centre-back who can do almost everything.
Marc Cucurella - 6.5/10
Kept Frimpong relatively quiet, but wasn't totally at his attacking best in a frantic game.
Martin Zubimendi - 6/10
Much like his defensive teammates, Zubimendi wasn't tested much and had a relatively simple game to coast through.
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Fabian Ruiz - 6.5/10
Still hasn't lost a single game he's played for Spain and it's easy to see why. His ball retention makes it so difficult for opponents to force a turnover.
Dani Olmo - 6.5/10
The RB Leipzig playmaker was consistently tidy with his footwork, getting Spain on the front foot and breaking quickly.
Lamine Yamal - 7.5/10
A magical assist for Oyarzabal was only ruled out marginally by the linesman and he made his mark later in the game with a wonderful whipped effort in extra time.
Mikel Oyarzabal - 8/10 - Man of the Match
Dusted himself off to score the penalty and only the linesman's flag prevented an early brace. He excelled leading the line and he nabbed his second before being substituted.
Nico Williams - 7.5/10
Perhaps should have scored to double Spain's lead, but Williams gave a decent audition of himself with European sides such as Arsenal sniffing around him. Well-worked assist for Spain's second.
SUB - Ferran Torres - 5/10
Introduced for Oyarzabal but didn't make much of an impact.
SUB - Pedri - 5/10
Brought on for Olmo to add fresh legs to the midfield. Scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out.
SUB - Mikel Merino - 4/10
Utilised by Luis de la Fuente as a substitute just before injury time.
SUB - Pedro Porro - 4/10
The Tottenham Hotspur star came on for the injured Mingueza.
SUB - Aleix Garcia - 3/10
Brought on at half-time in extra time.
SUB - Alex Baena - 2.5/10
Entered the fray with mere minutes remaining.
Netherlands Player Ratings
Netherlands players celebrate vs Spain
Bart Verbruggen - 7.5/10
Shaky to start, but he made three great saves from Williams to keep the Netherlands in the tie early on. Nothing he could do about the penalty.
Lutsharel Geetruida - 5.5/10
Nico Williams escaped him too easily at times and that contributed to the flurry of goals.
Jan Paul van Hecke - 5.5/10
Gave away an early penalty for a clumsy foul on Oyarzabal. No doubting the Brighton man will come back stronger, but he struggled with Spain's pace.
Virgil van Dijk - 6/10
The Liverpool star is a level above the rest of his backline, but he produced some questionable defending for Spain's second. Not his best work.
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Ian Maatsen - 7/10
Did well on his debut, thrown in the deep end against Yamal - managing well where many have struggled before - and he got involved in attacks down the left, including a stunning equaliser.
Tijani Reijnders - 6.5/10
The Netherlands' most daring player with two shots. His first effort went flying over the bar from range, whilst another was spooned wide.
Frenkie de Jong - 5.5/10
Tepid performance from the Barcelona star as the Netherlands were sliced through their midfield too often in the opening stages.
Jeremie Frimpong - 6/10
Dared to try and beat Cucurella a few times and although he was unfortunate, the intent was there. Positive showing from the Leverkusen star.
Justin Kluivert - 5/10
Dropped between the lines aiming to fashion chances, but a fast-paced game didn't give the Bournemouth star much to work with.
Cody Gakpo - 5/10
The Liverpool man wasn't at the races today and didn't offer much going forward.
Memphis Depay - 6/10
Made Simon, Huijsen and Le Normand's days easy in the first half - but the latter pulled him down in the area, with Depay scoring the resulting penalty in his 100th cap. Burst into life in the second half.
SUB - Xavi Simons - 7.5/10
Grabbed an assist inside a minute with a through ball for Maatsen, won a penalty in extra time and scored it. It's no wonder Manchester United have been linked.
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SUB - Noa Lang - 5.5/10
Lang did well to battle for the ball which led to Maatsen's equaliser.
SUB - Donyell Malen - 5/10
Joined Netherlands and Villa teammate Maatsen for the final few minutes of normal time. Missed the vital penalty.
SUB - Brian Brobbey - 4/10
Came on in extra time to replace Depay for some physicality.
SUB - Kenneth Taylor - 3/10
Introduced with not long to go as Koeman rolled the dice.
SUB - Teun Koopmeiners - 3/10
Introduced for fresh legs in the dying embers