Spain 1 Netherlands 5: Dutch humiliate holders in stunning rout
Spain suffer their biggest defeat in more than half a century
Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice as the Netherlands avenged their 2010 World Cup final defeat by routing holders Spain 5-1 on Friday in a record-breaking humiliation.
It was a great goal, I have to be fair. Considering the circumstances, it must be the goal of my career
As well as it being the worst ever mauling inflicted at a World Cup on the reigning champions, it was the worst defeat suffered by Spain in more than half a century, coming 51 years after a 6-2 defeat to Scotland in 1963.
"I certainly didn’t expect this result but I did expect us to score in the way we did," Dutch coach Louis van Gaal told reporters.
"Spain were always going to come at us and we catch them on the counter. My players did it perfectly. It’s far better than we ever expected."
Only once before had Spain conceded five times in a World Cup game, on Brazilian turf in 1950 in a 6-1 loss to the hosts. The Dutch mauling at Salvador’s Fonte Nova arena was also the worst ever start for defending world champions.
Spain, also 2008 and 2012 European champions, took a 27th-minute lead through a Xabi Alonso penalty after Brazilian-born striker Diego Costa went down under a challenge from de Vrij, only for Van Persie to equalise brilliantly in the 44th minute.