D. Ray Morton, 14th June 2014.
Louis van Gaal and Robin van Persie high-five after punishing Spain
The World Cup provided its first major shock yesterday with the Netherlands hammering defending champions Spain 5-1 thanks to a pair of braces from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. When we think of shocks before an international tournament, we think of underdogs knocking out big name teams. The Dutch were always capable of turning in a performance against Spain but no-one expected Salvador to be the scene of such a trouncing.
Manchester United fans will certainly be excited about Louis van Gaal demonstration of tactical nous. The Netherlands started in an unusual 5-3-2 formation which saw Spain's Diego Costa isolated up front on his own. The plan was to stifle the world champions and it worked to an extent, that is until the 27th minute when Xabi Alonso slotted home a penalty after Costa's dubiously won spot-kick. The Atlético Madrid target man went down in the area under the slightest bit of contact. Clear simulation and another example of poor officiating.
The Dutch did not flinch, however, and they managed to level things up just before the interval. Daley Blind struck a terrific cross from the left as van Persie, having remained onside, headed powerfully over an exposed Iker Casillas to score emphatically. Blind looked like a quality threat down the left and Manchester United must surely be thinking of recruiting him after the Luke Shaw deal went down the pan. Van Gaal's involvement should make it a simple deal.
Spain looked like a shadow of their former selves in the second half. They were ripped apart mercilessly by the enthusiastic Dutch and it was Arjen Robben who made it 2-1, Blind instrumental again down the wing, then the ex-Real Madrid winger outsmarting Gerard Piqué to slip past the hapless Casillas.
The third Dutch goal was a real kick in the teeth. Wesley Sneijder struck a powerful free-kick from the left which looped over everyone, including Casillas, and on to the head of Stefan de Vrij who was able to nod home easily. Van Persie did well to block the goalkeeper though the Spanish players felt it was a foul. That moment buried them psychologically.
It got worse for the goalkeeper once considered the best in the world. With eighteen minutes remaining and Spain panicking, Casillas completely miscontrolled a simple back pass leaving van Persie with the almost embarrassingly easy task of sliding the ball into an empty net. Spain will genuinely have to consider dropping the Real Madrid goal-tender if they are to recover in their next two games.
More punishment followed. Robben was given space and time again in front of a defence that did not even seem to be trying anymore. His cool finish made it 5-1 to cap off an unbelievable result. Vicente del Bosque was simply fuming at pitchside.
A thoroughly shocking result which sees Spain pinned at the bottom of Group B after Chile brushed aside Australia in the other match. Chile were fun to watch playing an almost suicidal attacking line-up with midfielders and full-backs occupying traditional centre-back spots, everyone chipping in on the attack. They triumphed 3-1 thanks to goals from Alexis Sánchez, Jorge Valdivia and Jean Beausejour to nullify Tim Cahill's reply. They look a decent side despite being so vulnerable at the back and are capable of eliminating Spain as they meet next. The Netherlands should have no problem beating Australia and are in prime position to top the group.
In the day's other game, Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 in Group A thanks to a strike from Oribe Peralta. Mexico will be pleased with the win, relieved considering they had two perfectly good goals from Giovani dos Santos ruled out for offside. The excitement continues now with matchday three, the pick of the bunch being England vs. Italy of course.
