Dutch treat, Spanish tears
June 13, 2014
Going into the match Friday, experience was on Spain's side with several players in the lineup who had won the World Cup four years ago. While Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has gone with experience for this tournament, his Dutch counterpart chose to go with a very young squad supporting the veterans Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Nigel de Jong.
As a result, most pundits made Spain the favorites for the two team's first game in Group B, and when Spain went ahead after Xavi Alonso converted a penalty, it looked like all was going according to plan.
That penalty decision, though, provided yet another talking point, as the replay showed that the Dutch defender had made no contact with the Brazil-born Diego Costa, when he flopped to the ground in the Oranje area.
At this point, it looked like the Dutch would need some kind of miracle to get back into the contest, and that is pretty much what they got. Just moments before the end of the first half, Manchester United striker Roben van Persie ran under a long pass from the left of the field, jumping to hit it first time with his head, chipping Spanish keeper Iker Casillas. No doubt, this will be up for goal of the tournament.
The two teams went into the dressing room tied at 1-1.
In the 53rd minute, Holland shocked the experienced Spaniards by taking the lead. Bayern Munich winger Robben showed amazing control, taking down a long looping pass from Daley Blind before fooling two Spanish defenders and hitting the back of the net.
The third goal was somewhat controversial as Van Persie appeared to foul Casillas in his six-yard box. That's not the way the ref saw it though, and Stefan De Vrij got his name onto the scoresheet.
The Dutch continued to run roughshod over the Spanish, with Casillas making a shocking error on a backpass, leading to Van Persie's second goal.
Robben wrapped up the scoring by taking another long pass in the 80th minute, sending Casillas the wrong way, then dribbling across the box, leaving the Spanish keeper flopping like a fish out of water, before stroking the ball into the back of the net for a 5-1 final score.
Both Robben goals will also be in the conversation for the goal of the tournament.
The result puts the Netherlands top of Group B, as Spain return to camp licking their wounds and seeking to regroup.
Mexico 1 - Cameroon 0
In Friday's first match, in which Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 in Group A.
Despite dominating possession and creating more scoring chances, Mexican fans had to wait until the 61st minute for their first chance to cheer in Natal on Friday afternoon local time.
Oribe Peralta swept in after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje saved a point-blank shot from Giovani dos Santos just inside the box. While Itandje did well do get down to make the block, he was unable to hold on to the ball, and Peralta made no mistake, stroking it into the gaping twine.
Although he didn't get the goal, Dos Santos may have been the outstanding man of the match. Twice in the first half he thought he had drawn first blood for Mexico, and twice he saw his goals controversially called back by the officials.
The result sees Mexico go second in Group A, behind the hosts, Brazil, who were helped by a very controversial penalty, as they beat Croatia 3-1 in Thursday's opening match. German coach Volker Finke's Cameroon are third in the group, ahead of Croatia based on goal difference.
Australia fall to Chile
It took just 15 minutes for Chile to score the deciding goals against underdogs Australia in Friday's final match. But the Group B encounter wasn't the runaway it looked like it would be, as Australia put in a valiant performance against their South American opponents.
Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring for the Chileans 12 minutes into the match, beating goalkeeper Mat Ryan with a close-range effort. Jorge Valdivia doubled the lead two minutes later when he was left unmarked at the top of the box.
The Socceroos fought back, however, and talismanic forward Tim Cahill's trademark header made it 2-1 just past the half-hour mark.
Chile continued to control the rest of the match, as Australia searched for an equalizer. Cahill had a goal ruled offside and Mark Bresciano's low volley drew an excellent save from Claudio Bravo in the second half.
A late goal from substitue Jean Beausejour sealed the result. Chile move to second in the group, while Australia sit third, ahead of Spain on goal difference.