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Oranje Crush: Three Thoughts on the Netherlands' 5-1 win over Spain
The rematch of the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands didn’t disappoint. It ended in a 5-1 win for the Dutch, quite the opposite result of that night in Johannesburg four years ago, and this one was also full of talking points.
Xabi Alonso scored on another questionable penalty call in the first half, before Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben put away chances on either side of the halftime whistle to give the Netherlands the lead. Despite Spain needing a goal, the Oranje continued to press, maintaining the majority of possession against the tiki-taka kings and scoring a third on a set piece, with 22-year-old center back Stefan de Vrij putting home his first international goal.
Van Persie tucked away another, pouncing on Iker Casillas’ shocking first touch on an innocent back pass in the 73rd minute. Not to be outdone, Robben also scored a second on a late counterattack.
Here are three thoughts on the match and its stunning outcome:
•Diego Costa looked uncomfortable in Spain’s system, limiting his danger to one referee-aided moment
Spain doesn’t usually play with a traditional target, No. 9-type of forward, and it showed. Costa looked a little lost making runs into wide areas and not being on the same page as the distributors underneath him. His marauding in behind earned the first-half penalty for Spain, but it was generally a frustrating game for the Brazilian-born striker.
Coming off a hamstring injury that has plagued him for a couple months, Costa was booed every time the ball came near him. It culminated in one ill-advised action in the second half, when he head-butted Bruno Martins Indi in an off-the-ball incident that, had referee Nicola Rizzoli seen it, would have likely gotten him sent off. That was the final straw, and Vicente del Bosque pulled him in favor of Fernando Torres to finish the match.
•Both Spain and the Netherlands value the midfield, which made things very crowded in there
“Wingers” Andrés Iniesta and David Silva were free to roam, looking for the ball in midfield, and Robben was the only true wide man in attacking spaces for either team, although even he tucked inside most of the time. That left the outside backs to provide width in attack, personified by Daley Blind’s pinpoint assist on van Persie’s first-half equalizer, and again on his early second-half assist to Robben. The first was a perfectly driven, 60-yard pass right into the path of van Persie’s dolphin-esque diving header, and the second was a more arched ball into Robben’s running path.
WATCH: Van Persie's incredible diving header brings the Netherlands level
The amount of ground the Dutch wingbacks covered was impressive, as they were also responsible for supporting the three man-marking center backs on the other end of the field. Blind usually plays in the midfield for Ajax, in the distribution-dependent holding role no less, and that ability on the ball showed throughout the match. Wingback might not even be his best position, but the 24-year-old was the best player on the field.
•If anybody can get the Netherlands out of this tough group, it’s Louis van Gaal
The incoming Manchester United manager raised a lot of eyebrows when he implemented a five-back system for the Dutch, but it’s looking like a brilliant piece of pragmatism now. Van Gaal’s confidence is rubbing off on his players, as he named his starting lineup against Spain in his press conference the day before, saying that preparation is done in training and not in making a list of names. Call it arrogance if you want, but van Gaal has his team believing it can beat anybody. The tactical discipline and unity of this Dutch team, even with the supposed egos of van Persie and Robben, is impressive.
The system van Gaal has implemented balances familiarity among a Feyenoord-heavy back line and the experience and incisiveness of Robben, van Persie and Wesley Sneijder as the attacking triumvirate. Sometimes, it looks like a 5-3-2. Other times, it looks like a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3.
All that matters is what it created on Friday: a dominant 5-1 win.
GALLERY: 100 Best Photos in World Cup History
100 Best Photos in World Cup History
Diego Maradona punches in the infamous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.
Brazilian right back Cafu does a back flip after Brazil scored against Scotland in the 1998 World Cup.
Zinedine Zidane ends his international career in infamy by head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
Andrés Escobar despairs after scoring an own goal against the United States in the 1994 World Cup. A few days later, Escobar was killed by drug lords in his native Colombia.
Diego Maradona, one of soccer’s best World Cup performers ever, dribbles in between six Belgians on his way to scoring a coast-to-coast goal in the 1982 World Cup. The goal is widely regarded as one of the best in soccer’s history.
Luis Suarez deflects a shot on goal by Ghana with his hand during the 2010 World Cup, resulting in him getting sent off and Ghana getting a penalty kick, which was saved.
Nijel de Jong kicks Xabi Alonso in the chest during the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.
David Beckham’s free kick curls over the wall of jumping Romanian defenders during England’s Group G match against Romania in the 1998 World Cup.
Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the pitch in tears after being injured during Portugal’s Round of 16 clash with the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup.
Berti Vogt of West Germany heads the ball as Dutchman Johan Cruyff and teammate Franz Beckenbauer look on in the 1974 World Cup.
Frenchman Patrick Battiston lies unconscious, sporting a broken jaw and missing two teeth after being on the receiving end of a body check from West German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher during the countries’ semifinal matchup in the 1982 World Cup.
Siphiwe Tshabalala scores the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup for hosts South Africa, sparking raucous celebrations throughout the stadium.
Andres Iniesta of Spain prepares to unleash a shot on goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. His shot would go in, a 116th minute goal that won Spain’s storied national team its first-ever World Cup title, sending an entire nation into hysteria. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
A joyous Andres Iniesta celebrates his decisive goal. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro lifts the trophy with confetti in the background after Italy defeated France, 5-3, in the penalty shootout of the 2006 World Cup final.
Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez dives in a vain attempt to save a brilliant extra time volley from Argentina’s Maxi Rodriguez in the 2006 World Cup.
Nelson Mandela lifts the World Cup trophy in 2004 in Zurich, Switzerland after FIFA’s executive committee awarded the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
France’s Patrick Vieira is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during France’s Round of 16 match against Spain in the 2006 World Cup.
Papa Bouba Diop of Senegal scores the winning goal against France and goalkeeper Fabien Barthez in the 2002 World Cup. Emmanuel Petit and a ground Marcel Desailly of France look on helplessly.
The ball hits the back of Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s goal after Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 40-yard bullet of a goal in the 2010 World Cup semifinal between the Netherlands and Uruguay.
Zinedine Zidane heads home France’s first goal in the 1998 World Cup final.
Argentinian defender Roberto Sensini kicks the ball away from Japan’s Hiroshi Nanami with a sensational bicycle kick clearance during their Group H matchup in the 1998 World Cup. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Brazil’s Ze Roberto celebrates with teammates Cafu and Ricardinho after scoring in the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Ghana at the 2006 World Cup.
Bulgarian Iordan Letchkov celebrates after his flying header goes in against Germany, beating them 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup quarterfinals.
A dejected Ronaldo is consoled by Brazilian teammate Bebeto after France defeated the defending champions, 3-0, in the 1998 World Cup final.
Rasheed Yekini celebrates in the goal netting after Nigeria scored its first ever World Cup goal, against Bulgaria in the 1994 World Cup.
Frank Rijkaard spits at Rudy Voller in a match between Germany and the Netherlands, permanently cementing the moment as one of the World Cup’s most infamous.
Paulo Roberto Falcao of Brazil celebrates a goal in the 1982 World Cup quarterfinal against Italy.
Brazilian midfielder Socrates celebrates with teammate Zico on his back after scoring an equalizing goal, knotting the score at 1-1 against Italy. Italy would triumph in the end however, on its way to becoming champions.
Ronaldo runs away signaling his No. 1 status after scoring his second goal against Germany in the 2002 World Cup final.
Vava celebrates his goal that helped seal Brazil’s victory in the 1962 World Cup final for its second consecutive World Cup title. The Brazilians defeated Czechoslovakia 3-1.
Andreas Brehme of West Germany scores the only goal in the 1990 World Cup final between his country and Argentina.
Andreas Brehme celebrates in front of teammate Jürgen Klinsmann after scoring the winning goal on a penalty kick during the 1990 World Cup final.
Michael Owen of England collapses and holds his head in his hands after England loses, 2-1, to Romania in their first-round match in the 1998 World Cup.
German Torsten Frings appears to block the ball with his hand on the goal line against the U.S. during the first half of their quarterfinal match in the 2002 World Cup.
American Clint Mathis gestures to the linesman to open his eyes during the U.S. vs. Poland Group D match in the 2002 World Cup.
Yugoslavia’s Branko Oblek celebrates after scoring as Zaire’s substitute goalkeeper Dimbi Tubilandu beats the ground in frustration en route to Yugoslavia’s 9-0 thrashing of Zaire at the 1974 World Cup. The match remains the biggest winning margin in World Cup history.
Englishman Gordon Banks saves Pelé’s header in a first round match of the 1970 World Cup, cementing his place in soccer lore forever as the goalie who made what is, perhaps, the greatest save ever.
Diego Maradona hoists the World Cup to the sky as he’s carried on the shoulders of his teammates following the conclusion of the 1986 World Cup final.
France’s Zinedine Zidane jumps over the barrier as he celebrates his first goal during the 1998 World Cup final.
North Korea supporters wave the national flag as North Korea walks onto the pitch with their opponents, Brazil, ahead of their Group G matchup in the 2010 World Cup.
David Beckham receives a red card from referee Kim Milton Nielsen for kicking out at Diego Simeone during England’s match against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup. Argentina would eventually go on to win the match in a penalty shootout, drawing intense criticism from the English, who blamed David Beckham for dooming them.
Luis Figo and Mark van Bommel go head-to-head in the Battle of Nuremburg, a World Cup match that set new records, featuring 4 red cards and 16 yellow cards in a physical match that had bad blood throughout. Portugal eventually won to advance to the quarterfinals.
France’s Patrick Vieira fouls Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo during their match in the 2006 World Cup.
Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas raises the World Cup trophy and celebrates with his teammates after Spain defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in the 2010 World Cup final. (Shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III)
Wayne Rooney controls the ball during a Group B match between England and Sweden in the 2006 World Cup.
England’s Wayne Rooney looks up at the red card as referee Horacio Elizondo sends him off during England’s quarterfinal match against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.
Maxi Rodriguez celebrates at the end of Argentina’s Round of 16 win over Mexico in the 2006 World Cup.
Francesco Totti walks away in disgust after being awarded a controversial second yellow card in Italy’s second-round match with hosts South Korea in the 2002 World Cup as his teammates protest to the referee. South Korea went on to beat Italy, and Spain in the following match, fueling talk of bribery on the part of the South Koreans.
English goalkeeper David Seaman looks on in dismay after Brazil's Ronaldinho scores a phenomenal 42-yard free kick goal off the top left corner of the goal in the second half of a 2002 World Cup quarterfinal.
Ronaldo puts German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s mishandled save into the back of the net for the first goal of the 2002 World Cup final.
Brazilian defender and team captain Cafu holds up the World Cup trophy triumphantly as confetti rains down on him. Brazil defeated Germany, 2-0, in the final match of the 2002 World Cup.
Mehdi Mahdivakia of Iran celebrates his goal against the United States en route to his country’s 2-1 victory in the 1998 World Cup.
Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp controls the ball against Argentina’s Roberto Ayala during their quarterfinal match in the 1998 World Cup.
Thierry Henry kisses the World Cup trophy after France defeated Brazil, 3-0, to win the 1998 World Cup final on home soil.
Michel Platini kisses the ball before missing a penalty in France’s quarterfinal against Brazil in the 1986 World Cup.
Hungarian goalkeeper Antal Szabo saves a shot from Italian Silvio Piola during the 1938 World Cup final. Hungary would go on to lose, but Szabo famously said “I may have let in four goals, but at least I saved their lives,” reflecting on then-Italian ruler Benito Mussolini’s threat that his team would either “win or die.”
Zinedine Zidane walks past the World Cup trophy after being sent off in the final match of the 2006 World Cup.
Bebeto celebrates a goal in the 1994 World Cup with his now-famous “baby cradle” celebration.
Brazilian goalkeeper Taffarel saves Daniele Massaro’s shot during the penalty shootout in the 1994 World Cup final.
Colombian Carlos Valderrama dazzles the 1990 World Cup with his head of curly, blond hair.
Diego Maradona lets out a scream following his goal against Greece in the 1994 World Cup.
Roberto Baggio stares at the spot after missing a penalty in the 1994 World Cup final to give Brazil the win and the title.
Brazilian forward Romario kisses the World Cup trophy as his teammates Branco and Dunga look on after Brazil defeated Italy in the 1994 World Cup final.
Roger Milla dances at the corner flag after scoring a goal against Colombia in the 1990 World Cup.
Paul Gascoigne cries after England loses to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semifinals. The game was tied at 1-1 and went to a penalty shootout, which West Germany won, 4-3.
Spanish riot police look on as English and French fans topple barriers as a result of fighting in the stands during England’s 3-1 win over France in the 1982 World Cup.
Archie Gemmill scores a penalty against the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup, his second of the game.
West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer performs the customary captain’s pregame handshake with East Germany’s Bernd Brausch, a historic moment that brought together the two separated (since rejoined) parts of Germany ahead of their first-round match in the 1974 World Cup.
England’s Bryan Robson heads the ball past French goalkeeper Jean Ettori to score his second goal of the match en route to England's 3-1 defeat of France in the 1982 World Cup.
Uli Steilike curls up in a ball after missing the first penalty in a penalty shootout between West Germany and France (West Germany would eventually win despite Steilike’s initial miss)
Marco Tardelli of Italy goes nuts after scoring in the 1982 World Cup final on a wonder goal against West Germany.
Angry Brazilian players follow Welsh referee Clive Thomas after the conclusion of Brazil’s second-round match with Sweden. Thomas blew his whistle for full time while Brazilian Zico scored a free kick, inexplicably discounting the goal and ending the game.
Dutchman Ernie Brandts turns the ball into his own goal past his goalkeeper, Piet Schrijvers, for an own goal during the Netherlands’ second-round match with Italy in the 1978 World Cup.
Mario Kempes runs off to celebrate his game-clinching goal in extra time, which helped lift Argentina to a 3-1 victory of the Netherlands in the 1978 World Cup final.
Dutch star Johan Cruyff fakes out a goalkeeper and scores in the 1974 World Cup. Cruyff invented “the Cruyff turn,” one of soccer’s coolest and most devastating tricks, cementing his place in soccer history.
West German captain Franz Beckenbauer holds up the World Cup trophy after his team defeated the Netherlands, 2-1, in the 1974 World Cup final.
West Germany’s Gerd Müller and Paul Breitner, the two West German goal scorers in the 1974 World Cup final, celebrate at the after-match banquet by smoking cigars.
Mexican forward Horacio Lopez Salgado hits a diving header under pressure from Soviet Union’s defender Gennadi Logofet during the opening match of the 1970 World Cup.
Pelé and Jairzinho celebrate after Pelé’s goal in the 1970 World Cup final. The game, which saw Brazil defeat another two-time champion, Italy, by a 4-1 margin, resulted in Brazil keeping the Jules Rimet trophy (the current trophy design began to be used at the following World Cup).
England’s Bobby Moore shakes hands with Brazil’s Pelé after Brazil defeated England, 1-0, in the 1970 World Cup.
North Korean Pak Doo Ik celebrates after scoring against Italy’s Enrico Albertosi, which ultimately was the lone goal in North Korea’s 1-0 victory for the reclusive nation over Italy in the 1966 World Cup.
English manager Alf Ramsey does his best to stop defender George Cohen from swapping shirts with Argentina’s Alberto Gonzalez following a stormy, ill-tempered match in a quarterfinal of the 1966 World Cup.
Portuguese legend Eusebio beats the Hungarian defense for a goal in the 1966 World Cup.
Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin makes a full-length dive to save a West German free kick during the semifinal of the 1966 World Cup. Yashin revolutionized goalkeeping as a whole with his dazzling saves and impressive command of his defense. He remains the only goalkeeper ever voted the European Footballer of the Year.
Pelé walks off in pain after injuring his shoulder against Portugal during their match at the 1966 World Cup.
Geoff Hurst turns away and celebrates after completing what remains as the only hat trick ever recorded in a World Cup final. The historic achievement was the highlight of a greater achievement -- the first and only World Cup victory for England.
English captain Bobby Moore soaks in the adulation of the home fans as his teammates hoist him and the World Cup trophy on their shoulders following the conclusion of the final.
Chile’s 2-0 victory over Italy, infamously called the “Battle of Santiago”, was a game marred by various acts of violence that included three separate times when police had to restore peace on the field in order for play to continue.
Englishman Ray Wilson gets chased by a dog named Bob who wandered onto the pitch during England’s quarterfinal clash with Brazil in the 1962 World Cup.
Bobby Charlton shoots despite being defended heavily by Brazilian defenders in the quarterfinal of the 1962 World Cup in Chile.
Pelé celebrates as Brazil defeats hosts Sweden, 5-2, in the 1958 World Cup final. Pelé scored twice on a day that saw him become the youngest player to ever score in a World Cup final (a record that stands to this day).
French forward Just Fontaine attempts to dribble past Brazilian goalkeeper Gilmar during a semifinal clash in the 1958 World Cup.
German captain Fritz Walter and coach Sepp Herberger are hoisted on the shoulders of their compatriots after West Germany beat the heavily favored Hungarian team in the 1954 World Cup final, 3-2, nicknamed “The Miracle of Bern.”
Joe Gaetjans celebrates as the U.S. defeats England 1-0 in perhaps the most significant soccer game in U.S. history and still considered, even 60 years later, one of soccer’s greatest upsets.
Uruguayan Alcides Ghiggia celebrates in front of a hostile crowd at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro as Uruguay upsets the heavily-favored hosts Brazil to win its second World Cup trophy, in 1950.
Vittorio Pozzo, captain of the Italian national team, celebrates a victorious World Cup held in his home country in front of then-ruler Benito Mussolini.
Fans blow vuvuzelas following the opening match of the 2010 World Cup between South Africa and Mexico.
Coleen McLoughlin, girlfriend of England’s Wayne Rooney, sits behind Cheryl Tweedie, girlfriend of England’s Ashley Cole, and Victoria Beckham, wife of England’s David Beckham, as they look on from the stands before the beginning of England’s Group B clash with Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup.
Pedro Cea beats Argentinian goalkeeper Juan Botasso en route to Uruguay’s 4-2 victory in the first-ever World Cup final, held in 1930, on home soil.
Liviu Bird is a soccer analyst with more than 20 years of experience in the game. He learned how to play in the streets of Romania before moving to the soccer wilderness of Fairbanks, Alaska, escaping to play collegiately as a goalkeeper at Highline Community College and Seattle Pacific University, where he also earned his B.A. in journalism. Bird played semiprofessionally and had tryouts at professional clubs but hung up his gloves in 2012 to focus on writing and coaching at the youth and collegiate levels. He joined Sports Illustrated in March 2013 as a freelance contributor and has also written for NBC Sports, Soccer Wire, The New York Times, American Soccer Now and the Telegraph (UK).