FIFA World Cup: Netherlands stun World Cup holders Spain 5-1

Salvador Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice as the Netherlands avenged their 2010 World Cup final defeat by routing holders Spain 51 on Friday in a recordbreaking humiliationNetherlands forward Robin van Persie eyes the ball during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena PicAFPAs well as it being the worst evermauling 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 62 defeat to Scotland in 1963 Manchester United striker Van Persie produced a stunning firsthalf header and slotted home the Netherlands fourthCatch all the FIFA World Cup 2014 action hereWe never stopped going and in my opinion it could have been six seven or eight goals said manofthematch Van Persie But Ive been here before this is my fifth tournament and its just one win and three points now we have to focus on our next game against AustraliaNetherlands forward Arjen Robben controls the ball during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador PicAFPNot to be outdone Bayern Munich star Robben scored two secondhalf goals with Stefan De Vrij compounding the misery for Vicente del Bosques world and European championsVeteran midfielder Xabi Alonso gave the Spanish a firsthalf lead when he drilled home a highly contentious penalty after Brazilianborn striker Diego Costa who was jeered constantly by local fans went down in the box despite not appearing to have been touched But Van Persies diving header 90 seconds from the break put the Dutch level before the Oranje ran wild in the second halfThe Dutch triumvirate of Robben Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder caused the Spanish defence all manner of problems but it was Daley Blinds superb long passes which created their two opening goals I feel really bad very upset and very disappointed but I have enough courage to understand this defeat said Spain coach Vicente Del BosqueSpain conceded two goals at the last World Cup and three in their qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014 leaving Del Bosque at a loss to explain the fivegoal maulingI cant find the words to explain that we are normally solid in defence but today we were very weak said Del Bosque You have to acknowledge the performances of Van Persie and RobbenDutch can improve stillSpain went ahead when Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli judged Costa had been fouled by De Vrij and Alonso drilled the 27thminute penalty past Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen Soon after David Silva squandered a great chance to put the world champions 20 up when Cillessen managed to get a glove to the Manchester City stars chipped shotVan Persie levelled on 44 minutes when Daley Blinds pinpoint pass from the left wing found the Manchester United star in space to loop his header over the stranded Iker Casillas Holland took control soon after the break when Van Persie turned provider with a superb pass to Robben in the area The winger got the better of both Spain centrebacks Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos to fire the Oranje into a 21 lead on 53 minutesVan Persie then rattled the crossbar with an hour gone before De Vrij grabbed Hollands third on 64 minutes when he bundled home at the back post Spain looked to have pulled a goal back when Silva stabbed home a Cillessen spill with 67 minutes gone but he was shown to be offside Van Persie claimed his second and the Netherlands fourth when he beat Casillas to a loose ball and aided by a helpful bounce he tapped home on 72 minutesThe Dutch delight was clear as Van Persie handed the captains armband to Robben in the dying stages when the striker was replaced Robben who could have finished with a hattrick netted his second on 80 minutes by again dancing around Spanish defenders to claim his teams fifth goal of a stunning night Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said his side can improve further still under his new 433 system clickedWithout a shadow of a doubt we can improve said the future Manchester United manager You could see in the last 20 minutes when we started to play the ball around with confidence A result like that gives players confidence and I expect us to play better