RvP hails 'Unreal' Spain win

RvP hails 'Unreal' Spain win

Holland avenged the World Cup final defeat they
suffered to Spain four years ago in stunning fashion
by coming from behind to thrash the defending
champions 5-1 in the Group B opener on Friday
night.
Louis van Gaal’s side started well; creating the first
opening in the 8th minute when Wesley Sneijder
broke free of the Spanish defence, but the playmaker
failed to beat Iker Casillas with a tame effort.
Diego Costa was constant trouble for the trio of
Dutch central defenders, but he was frustrated on
two separate occasions inside the box as Ron Vlaar
made a couple of crucial interceptions to keep out
the striker.
However, the Brazil-born forward made a vital
contribution midway through the first half when he
shifted the ball past Stefan de Vrij, who was
adjudged to have fouled his opponent with a
needless sliding tackle.
Xabi Alonso was trusted with the duties from the
spot, and the midfielder made no mistake as he
drilled the ball past Jasper Cillessen.
David silva wasted an opportunity to double Spain’s
lead on 43 minutes after he was played through by
Iniesta but his chipped effort kept was out by the
Dutch goalkeeper.
And they would come to rue that miss some
minutes later as Daley Blind whipped in an inviting
ball for Robin van Persie, who decided against taking
a touch as he headed the ball over a helpless
Casillas to level the scores.
It was all square as the sides went in for the break.
Holland started the second half in full confidence,
stroking the ball around purposefully and they went
ahead in the 53rd minute when Arjen Robben
collected the ball with two defenders to beat inside
the box before cutting inside and firing past Casillas.
They didn’t have to wait much longer for the third
goal which just after the hour mark. De Vrij arrived
at the back post just in time to  nod home after
Casillas had failed to gather a cross under pressure
from Van Persie.
It got worse for Vicente del Bosque’s men as Van
Persie took advantage of some sloppy play from
Casillas to dispossess the goalkeeper inside the box
before tapping the ball into an empty net to make it
4-1.
The goal feast was completed ten minutes from
time Robben eased past a number of Spanish
defenders, before dodging Casillas and firing
home to get their campaign off to the perfect start.