SPAIN, REIGNING WORLD CUP CHAMPION, GETS A THRASHING FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN A REPLAY OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN FINAL

A Spanish fan (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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It was the worst thrashing ever received by a reigning World Cup champion – an unbridled Orange vendetta

by Rose Maramba

Fonte Nova Stadium
Salvador, Brazil
13 June 2014

It was Spain’s debut match at the FIFA World Cup 2014. Auspicious beginnings? Only 27 minutes into the match and Spain already scored a goal against the rival  Dutch national team. A shining moment. It seemed to say the Spanish victory at the last FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg in 2010 was no fluke. And against the very same team, too, that Spain brought down, the Netherlands, 1-0 during the extra time of the World Cup final.

Xabi Alonso shoots a goal and celebrates it — the Spanish team’s first. Sadly, it was also to be the last. Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

But the moment faded all too quickly, with no hope of redemption. On minute 43 in this rematch of the last World Cup final, the Netherlands kicked the ball into the net and evened the score. Another goal for the Orange team (they were wearing blue) came on minute 53, then minutes 65, 72, and 80. The Orange team kicked itself into glory, to Spain’s humiliation, racking up 5 goals to Spain’s 1.

It was the worst thrashing ever received by a reigning World Cup champion – an unbridled Orange vendetta.

On the 18th, Wednesday, 19.00 GMT, Spain will play against Chile at the Maracaña Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. They’d better make a better showing. The pride of Spain can’t stand this kind of mauling twice, least of all in the football (soccer) field!

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Teams

Spain: Iker Casillas (goalkeeper), Cesar Azpilicueta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso; David Silva, Diego Costa, Andres Iniesta
Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen (goalkeeper), Bruno Martins Indi, Ron Vlaar, Stefan De Vrij; Daley Blind, Daryl Janmaat; Arjen Robben, Nigel De Jong, Jonathan De Guzman; Wesley Sneijder, Robin Van Persie
Coach: Louis Van Gaal

The Match in Pictures

Spain’s Diego Costa duels with Stefan de Vris. Moments later Xabi would take over Diego and kick the ball for a goalie. Photo: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas: Can’t ward off the Dutch blitzkrieg. Photo: Ian Walton/Getty Images

Fans of the Spanish team. No amount of cheering could do it. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Robin van Persie fighting it out with Spain’s Gerard Pique and Cesar Azpilicueta. Robin would score the first of the five Dutch goals. Photo: David Ramos/Getty Images

The Fonte Nova Stadium. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Dutch fans. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Jasper Cillessen, the Netherland’s goalkeeper. Photo: Ian Waltson/Getty Images

David Silva of the Spanish team. Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images