Five star Netherlands started their World Cup campaign with an unbelievable 5-1 win over World Champions Spain.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Netherlands started the game in their new 5-3-2 system, and it proved to be a master-class from Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal as the Dutch tore Spain apart in the second half.
A few minutes into the game, Netherlands should have been ahead when Wesley Sneijder was played through by Arjen Robben, but his shot was straight at Iker Casillas.
Just before the half hour mark, Spain were awarded a dubious penalty when Stefan de Vrij was adjudged to have brought down Diego Costa, and Xabi Alonso made it 1-0 from the spot.
Netherlands weren’t downhearted though and equalised just before the break as Daley Blind’s perfect ball forward was headed spectacularly over Casillas and into the net by Robin van Persie.
In the second half, Netherlands were excellent, and took the lead on 53 minutes when another perfect ball from Blind was claimed by Robben, and the winger showed great composure to fire past Casilles.
It was 3-1 ten minutes later as a Wesley Sneijder free-kick was bundled in at the back post by Stefan de Vrij before a Casillas error was pounced on by Van Persie and prodded into the net for 4-1.
Netherlands excellent performance was capped by an excellent goal from Arjen Robben on 80 minutes, with the winger outpacing Sergio Ramos from the halfway line before beating Casillas and firing into the top corner.
It could have been much worse for Spain with Van Persie hitting the bar, while Robben and Georginio Wijnaldum forcing Iker Casillas into brilliant saves.
Louis van Gaal proved his class as Netherlands boss by setting up his side perfectly to dismantle Spain in one of, if not the best performance, the Dutch have ever had at a World Cup.
Now Netherlands must consolidate the victory on Wednesday against Australia, and top the group.
But every Dutch fan in the World should enjoy tonight’s victory. One of the finest i can remember.
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I have become mad today..it’s already 2:42 AM in India and I don’t know whether I shall be able to sleep today..Van Persie’s head;Robben’s dribbling – now feeling really proud to be a Dutch soccer fan…
Absolutely amazing game!
Vintage performance all round from the Oranje.
Truly one that will live long in the memories of so many.
I love this game!
Holland it`s the best team in the world! (after Ukraine of course : ) Amazing team, beautiful country, good people. You must have to win the World Cup with fourth time : )
Best regards, from Kharkov, Ukraine
Just unbelievable!
So happy for them.
Esp Arjen and Robin, you could see how much it meant to them exorcising those World Cup demons.
WHAT A GAME!!!
WHAT A TEAM!!!
WHAT A NIGHT!!!
WOW.
JUST WOW.
Jonathan de guzman had a very poor game hopefully he will be replaced by wijnaldum or clasie.. but it was a great game, holland must now beat chille and australia and hope brazil will win the remaining two games so holland can avoid a second round match against brazil…
A dream come true to show spain and the world who is the best team to play possession football….
After 4 years of the “not deserved” defeat to spain, oranje come up to revenge and it was the sweetest one ……….
HUP HUP ORANJEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!