Netherlands Achieve Retribution for 2010 World Cup Final

(FIFA.com)

Salvador, Brazil - Defending World Cup Champions, Spain, suffered a difficult loss to the same team they met four years ago in the World Cup Final.  The match was a very physical one, with the Dutch clearly seeking revenge for their loss in South Africa.

Despite Spain starting seven of the same players from the 2010 World Cup Final, the result was quite different.  From the early minutes of the match, no one would have expected the final scoreline, which finished 5-1 in favor of the Dutch.

After almost breaking the record for minutes without conceding a goal, Spanish keeper Iker Casillas had a dismal performance.  However, Casillas also received little help from his defense.

The first half looked like it was going to be very back and forth for the first 25 minutes with both teams having open chances.  However, the match looked like it may have gone in favor of Spain after Brazilian born debutante, Diego Costa, earned a penalty for the Spanish.

Costa, who announced that he would be playing for Spain instead of his native Brazil, was booed continually by the Brazilian fans, but seemed to possibly be the hero for Spain.  The penalty called by Nicola Rizzoli, the Italian referee, in the 26th minute very easily could have been the difference maker.

Spain veteran Xabi Alonso took the penalty with style to give Spain the important first half lead.  A great finish into the bottom left-hand corner gave the 32 year old his first goal in any competition in two years.

Even with being down 1-0 so early in the match, the Dutch refused to give up.  Just before halftime, the Dutch captain, Robin van Persie, pulled his side level with a beautiful headed goal from 15 yards from goal.

Casillas was frozen after a long ball by Daley Blind found the head of van Persie.  Blind's pass from almost 60 yards was located perfectly.

Things only got worse for Spain in the second half.  Blind again played another perfect pass, this time to the feet of Arjen Robben.

Robben caught both Gerard Piqué and Sergio Ramos flat footed, and shot a laser past Casillas to give the Dutch the lead.

The Dutch were not done though.  Young defender Stefan de Vrij scored his first international goal on a header from the cross by Wesley Sneijder, who earned his 100th cap in the Netherlands huge win.

The Netherlands did not give up the attack.  The Oranje managed to score two more goals at the hands of both van Persie and Robben again.

The two veterans both managed to again break down Iker Casillas and the Spanish defense to extend the scoreline to 5-1.

Ultimately, Spain looked disjointed after suffering the worst loss ever by defending World Cup Champions.    However, for fans of La Roja, hopes remain high.

In 2010, Spain lost their first match of the Group Stage to Switzerland, though it was not near as bad as their 5-1 loss today.

Spain will hope to turn around their fate and repeat their success from South Africa despite being dismantled by the Oranje.

Spain will face Chile on June 18, while the Netherlands will play their next match against Australia on the same day.