Week 1

From all the matches in the first week of the World Cup there was only one game for me which stood out from all the rest coming from Group B. This was of course Spain against The Netherlands. The game was a repeat of the final in South Africa 2010, which Spain won so you knew both teams would be strong and go all out to try and get an early three points on the table.

Here are the two line ups the managers chose for the opening games. The player names in brackets indicate that they are the substitutes who came on for the player whose name they are next to-

Spain-                                                                             

1- Casillas (GK) (C)

3- Pique

6- Iniesta

8- Xavi

14- Alonso (Pedro)
                                     15- Ramos                                   

16- Busquets

18- Alba

19- Costa (Torres)

21- David Silva (Fabregas)

22- Azpilicueta

Netherlands- 

1- Cillessen (GK)

2- Vlaar

3- De Vrij (Veltman)

4- Martins Indi

5- Blind

6- De Jong

7- Janmaat

8- De Guzman (Wijnaldum)

9- Van Persie (Lens)

10- Sneijder

11- Robben  

Spain opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Alonso scored from the penalty spot to give Spain the lead which they thought they would have going into half time but a Daley Blind cross into the edge of the box was superbly headed by Robin Van Persie looped over top of Casillas into the top corner in the closing stages of the half. Half time score of Spain 1-1 Netherlands. The second half then kicked off and Louis Van Gaal's Dutch team started the half the brightest and on the 53 minute mark Arjen Robben put The Netherlands in front for the first time in the game. Spain couldn't get themselves any grip on the game and fell even further behind after a corner was met by defender Stefan De Vrij to make it 1-3. with 20 minutes left all hope was looking gone from Spain and substitute striker Fernando Torres wasn't getting the ball at all and to make matters even worse for them The Netherlands went even further a head, Robin Van Persie grabbing his second of the game. To finish off Spain, The Netherlands went 1-5 a head, this time Robben got his second on the 80 minute mark and this was Spain down and out. They soon found out that their fate would be sealed in the second game and the current World Cup champions were going home after only two games in the competition. 

Robin Van Persie scoring his first goal just before half time. The goal was then voted as the third best goal of the tournament. 

  

FT: SPAIN 1-5 NETHERLANDS