HOLDERS Spain suffered a nightmare start to their World Cup defence as Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice as Holland came from behind to win their tournament opener.
In a hugely competitive group, which also includes Chile and Australia, Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque knows his side can’t afford any more slip-ups if they’re to progress to the knockout stages in Brazil.
In a re-run of the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa; Holland got their revenge in spectacular fashion, hammering a hapless Spanish side.
After Xavi Alonso gave Spain the lead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute; it looked like the World Cup holders would canter to another victory but a stunning header from Van Persie a minute before the break and a poacher’s finish from Arjen Robben turned the game in Holland’s favour.
Stefan De Vrij added number three for Holland, before a clanger from Iker Casillas gifted the Dutch a shock fourth goal and Robben rounded things off with number five.
Del Bosque has only lost one of his 25 World Cup games as Spain head-coach prior to kick-off, including qualifiers but it was a nervy start to their title defence.
Holland should have been ahead after only eight minutes but midfielder Wesley Sneijder, played through by Bayern Munich winger Robben, fired weakly at Spanish goalkeeper Casillas.
Sneijder, who scored five goals at the World Cup four years ago and who was voted in the team of the tournament, froze one-on-one with 155-cap Casillas.
Spain struggled to find their incisive one-touch game in the opening 15 minutes, with striker Diego Costa – a man who turned his back on Brazil to play for his adopted nation on the eve of the tournament – roundly booed every time he touched the ball.
His first meaningful involvement in the game saw Costa needlessly delay a shot at goal when played through and Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar twice made crucial interventions.
In qualifying Holland looked near unbeatable, winning nine of their ten games and reaching the tournament in Brazil at a canter – skipper Van Persie scoring 11 goals in the process.
While the Spanish side on display was brimming with World Cup and European Championship winners; the Dutch defence looked inexperienced and fragile.
With influential defender Kevin Strootman missing through injury and causing a last-gasp change in formation; Spain started to probe the Dutch defence with some real regularity and just before the half hour their play was rewarded.
An exceptional flowing move saw Barcelona midfielder Xavi find the hard-working Costa in the penalty area, where the Athletico Madrid striker was needlessly fouled by Stefan De Vrij – his trailing leg clipped as he turned sharply.
Up stepped Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso from the spot, who scored with a well struck penalty into the bottom left hand corner for a 27th minute lead for the Spanish.
It is the first time the two World Cup finalists have met in the tournament directly after contesting the final since 1990, when West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Four years ago in South Africa it was a hugely disappointing final but the rerun in Brazil proved anything but a similarly dour affair.
The game was turned on its head in the space of five minutes before the break – firstly Manchester City winger David Silva was played through on goal by Andres Iniesta but his effort was weak and Holland goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen saved comfortably.
And then just two minutes later the Dutch were level as Daley Blind played a wonderful 60-yard ball through to Manchester United striker Van Persie, who watched it carefully before diving full length to head the ball over the stranded Casillas into the top right corner of the net.
The goal seemed to rock the Spanish and after the break the Dutch started to dominate both possession and territory – not something we’re used to seeing – Iniesta and Xavi starved of the ball.
Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique also looked off the pace and for the second time inside ten minutes the Spanish central defenders went to sleep and allowed Robben the freedom of Brazil to control a long punt forward and fire past Casillas from close range to turn the game on its head.
And it should have got worse just before the hour mark for Spain but Van Persie saw his stunning volley, created by another direct run from Robben, slam against the crossbar from a tight angle and fly away to safety.
The comeback was complete for the Dutch on 64 minutes as poor Spanish defending from a set piece allowed De Vrij to bundle the ball over the line at the back post to make it three, with Casillas booked in the aftermath as he complained about being fouled by Van Persie – the protests were waved away.
Spain thought they had got a goal back on 67 minutes as Silva reacted quickest to a fumble by Holland goalkeeper Cillessen but the Manchester City player’s effort was ruled out for offside.
And just minutes later Casillas had to be alert to block a Van Persie long range effort as the Dutch pressed for a surprise fourth goal.
The game was effectively signed, sealed and delivered for Holland on 73 minutes as Casillas made an uncharacteristic error, failing to control a tame back-pass and allowing Van Persie to steal the ball off his toe and roll it into an empty net.
And unbelievably it got worse for Spain on 80 minutes as Robben won a foot-race with Ramos, drew Casillas and then rounded the Spanish veteran before firing home into an empty net.
Only a stunning late save from Casillas prevented Robben claiming his hat-trick as the winger fired in a volley from the edge of the penalty area.
source: southwales-eveningpost.co.uk
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 