Never before had the two finalists from a previous World Cup squared off in an opening match of the subsequent cup’s group stage. When Spain and Holland were drawn into the same group it instantly became the premier match-up of the group stages.
It could be argued that so much weight has never been put on an opening game at any other World Cup in the past. The likely prize for the runner up in Group B will be a match-up with host nation Brazil in the first knockout round.
With so much at stake in an opening match, the result could have never been predicted. With Van Ginkel missing out on the Dutch squad mostly likely due to his ACL injury earlier in the season, Chelsea fan’s focus on this game turned to Spain. How would Cesar Azpilicueta perform on his World Cup debut? Would we see Torres or newly converted blue Cesc Fabregas feature at any point?
Early on in the match Spain did as most expect Spain to do. They controlled possession and moved the ball around and dictated the tempo of the game. Azpilicueta looked really strong in the first half bombarding up and down the right hand side for Spain. His energy never seems to drop no matter the occasion, but given the circumstances IÂ’m sure he wanted to put it all on the line for his team
. The first goal of the match was converted by Xabi Alonso off of a controversial penalty won by Diego Costa for Spain in the 27th minute. The game looked set for course at that moment. Spain was controlling the possession and tempo and probably felt they were on their way to victory. Sadly for Azpilicueta (Dave if you fancy) he was up against a team on a mission in his first ever World Cup game.
In a type of move that brought back memories of Ramires to Drogba in the 2nd leg against Napoli at the Bridge to set us on the magical run for ole’ big ears in 2012, the Dutch were right back into the game. Van Persie received an in-swinging ball from about 45 yards out to right inside the 15-yard box and without looking leaped forward and completed a magnificent diving header that looped over Casillas and left Spain stunned. It was the type of shellshock at half-time that could launch an assault after the whistle.
Retribution-
- Something justly deserved; recompense.
- The act of punishing or taking vengeance for wrongdoing, sin, or injury.
IÂ’m sure the Dutch would have rather taken the plaudits 4 years ago that fateful night at Soccer City in Johannesburg, but their absolute demolition of Spain will have done wonders at the very least to help cover up those bad memories from South Africa.
They were well on their way soon after the 2nd half whistle when in the 53rd minute Robben deftly controlled a long pass into the box from Blind, cut to his left (What? NEVER?!) which still fooled Pique (Come on Pique, RobbenÂ’s hips didnÂ’t lie) and Casillas and ricocheted in off of a diving Ramos to give the Dutch the 2-1 lead. They wouldnÂ’t rest on their laurels and Van Persie nearly got his 2nd when he whipped in a shot that caught the top left corner of the woodwork in the 60th minute.
Their 3rd goal would come only moments later in the 64th minute as a ball hit in off a free-kick went over Casillas and Van Persie and landed right in front of the net for Stefan de Vrij to easily slot home at the back post. Van Persie would continue the bleeding for Spain in the 73rd minute when Iker Casillas committed a howler as he tried to play a back pass from Ramos out with his feet. Van Persie was alert and hungry and attacked Casillas, winning the ball from him before slotting it home into an empty net and earning his brace.
Robben was not to be outdone and snatched a brace of his own in the 80th minute to make the score 5-1. Robben went storming down the right after a beautiful up-field pass from Sneijder, turned around and cut in on his left (GASP), skinned Casillas yet again and completed the rout for Holland.
Torres and Fabregas would both feature for Spain later on in the game, coming on in the 62nd and 78th minute respectively. However, by the time Torres entered Spain were well on their way to losing, and when Fabregas came on 16 minutes later, the destruction had nearly run its course.
