Dutch rip Spain to shreds with astonishing display

World Cup Group B, Salvador - Netherlands 5 (R. van Persie 44', 72' A. Robben 53', 80' S. de Vrij 64') Spain 1 (X. Alonso 27' pen)

The 2014 World Cup has its first historic moment as the Netherlands hammered Spain 5-1 in an incredible match in Salvador.

The champions were not just beaten, but absolutely ripped to pieces by a much-unfancied Dutch side that could have scored even more than the five they put past the reigning Spaniards.

Yet it was actually Spain who started the strongest, having several chances to put themselves in the lead through Diego Costa, who thrice broke clear of a ponderous Dutch backline to get in space.

The first such chance was denied by Ron Vlaar, who made a fine recovering tackle after the big striker hesitated, while a ponderous touch for the second allowed Daryl Janmaat to shepherd him into the corner.

The third, however, was the most decisive and the most controversial, as Costa was clearly brought down by De Vrij after cutting back inside, although replays showed he may have been looking for the contact. Nonetheless, it was a penalty, and Xabi Alonso stepped up to roll it into the bottom corner.

Spain were looking comfortable, but the Netherlands soon struck back with a majestic goal, Robin van Persie meeting Daley Blind's long pass with a diving header that was more reminiscent of Nijinsky than Henrik Larsson, the ball sailing over Iker Casillas and into the net.

Suddenly, Spain seemed to waver, and the Netherlands took the lead shortly afterwards through Arjen Robben, the winger collecting another Blind pass before cutting inside and putting his shot past Casillas. And from there, Spain began to fall apart. A free-kick from Wesley Sneijder found Stefan de Vrij to make it 3-1, and Casillas' horrorshow continued after when he presented the ball to Van Persie while playing out of defence, allowing the Dutchman to prod into the empty net.

Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any worse for Spain, an unbelievable run and counter-attack from Robben made it five. The Bayern forward darted between his two markers to pick up a long pass, cut inside, left Casillas in a heap and then leathered the ball into the roof of the net past the waiting Spanish defence.

Incredibly, things could have been even worse - a ragged Spain defence came close to conceding three more times before they heard the referee's whistle, with Fernando Torres almost pulling back a consolation goal but being denied by a last-ditch tackle. But the scoreline could not be improved - this was a mauling.

Eurosport