Spain hammered, humbled and humiliated by Holland masterclass

The whole world of football seemed to be under the shock wave. Because defending champions Spain got pestered away by Netherlands 5-1 at Salvador in the rematch of the last year’s final. Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben scored twice for the Men in Orange as De Vrij scored the other one to hand over Spain their biggest defeat since 1963 when they lost to Scotland 6-2.

The match, however, didn’t start the way it finished. Spain were unquestionably the dominant side enjoying lion share of the possession as they their tiki-taka style of football going in full flow. They got the lead through a penalty in the 27^th minute after Diego Costa was brought down by one of the Dutch defenders. Xabi Alonso scored from the spot as Spain slowly began to take cruise control of the match. But one moment of magic and it changed the whole scenario. 44 minutes on the clock. One of the Dutch midfielders floated one of the numerous wayward crosses that had no precision behind it. But Robin Van Persie had other ideas. Van Persie threw his body at it and met the ball almost one and a half feet above the ground with his head. And the very next moment Netherlands was back on level terms, courtesy to one of the most beautiful goals in world cup history.

As the second half began, the match had turned over its head. Netherlands soon found them in the lead through yet another brilliant goal, this time from Arjen Robben in the 53^rd minute. Since then Netherlands did not have to look back again. De Vrij made it 3-1 in the 64^th minute. Van Persie scored his second of the night and his team’s fourth when he found the back of the net taking advantage of Iker Casillas’s sloppiness. Robben then put the final nail in the coffin in the 80^th minute when he beat two Spanish defenders to fire the ball into the net for the 5^th goal.

The scoreline could have been even more humiliating as Van Persie hit the post once and on another occasion Casillas had to come to the rescue parrying away the ball into safety.

It was the worst start for a defending champion in the history of World Cup football as on all other occasions the defending champions have lost by 1 goal only. It was also a sweet revenge for the Dutchmen for the last year’s defeat in the final. The only thing that the Dutch could have wished-Had it happened one match earlier!

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.