Saturday, June 14, 2014
2014 World Cup - Oranje Power Destroys World Champs Spain!
It was magical. It was devastating.
It was just unbelievable to watch.
If there was any doubt that this World Cup hadn't fired, those doubts were dispelled after a stupendous performance in the rain in Salvador from the men in Orange against the number 1 team in the world, the world champions, one of the greatest teams ever to grace the world game.
England fans will probably be familiar with the feeling the Dutch - and perhaps the rest of the football world - felt as they saw Louis van Gaal's side tear apart the Spanish 5-1. Not since the Dutch liberated themselves from the rule of the Spanish have the likes of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, den Haag, Maastricht, etc. had something to celebrate against the men from the Iberian Peninsula.
The strange thing was that the game started as usual - Spain playing their eye-catching tikka-takka football, dominating possession and seemingly keeping the Dutch out of the game who looked suspect at the back initially.
In the third game marred by refereeing controversy of this World Cup, Spain were awarded a penalty after the littlest of clips brought Diego Costa down in the box. Xabi Alonso dispatched the penalty with ease and Spain looked like they just needed to hog and pass the ball around and they would get another win.
Alas, Robin van Persie, who had been foiled so many times by the offside flag finally got the better of a Spanish defence to head powerfully home past Iker Casillas - one of the best headed goals you'll ever see in this World Cup.
Indeed, it would be the Spanish defence with the experienced Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos who would have egg on their faces along with long-time keeper, Iker Casillas, as they soon fell apart in the 2nd half.
Carlos Puyol's absence may have been somewhat covered over at EURO 2012 but here it was keenly felt - not helped by Casillas' lack of form - and with Chile to come, Spain are in serious danger.
As for the Dutch, they can look forward to 2nd round football and not having to play Brazil until the Final if they make it all the way, with Australia to come, a side they should beat on paper.
Total football may not quite be back, but the traditional pleasing to the eye football made famous by the Dutch appears to be back, played by a team that appears more united than ever before - ironic under a manager well known for breaking up dressing rooms.
Manchester United fans must be smiling now.
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