Salvador (Brazil), June 13: The Netherlands, who lost to Spain in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, took a sweet revenge at the Arena Fonte Nova here on Friday when they trounced the defending champions 5-1 in their opening match of the 2014 Fifa World Cup. Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben scored two goals each while Stefan de Vrij scored one.

For the Spaniards, La machina Xabi Alonso, who plays for Real Madrid, scored the solitary goal.

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The defenders drew the first blood when Alonso scored from a penalty at the 27th minute. Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli penalised the Dutch when Spain's Diego Costa fell in the box and Alonso made full use of the opportunity.

The defending champions could have doubled the lead in the 42nd minute but David Silva's close-range chip shot failed to curl past Cillessen.

The Spaniards were soon punished for wasting the good opportunity

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The Netherlands drew level in the 44th minute when Robin Van Parsie scored from a fantastic header.

Eight minutes into the half time, Arjen Robben's brilliant touch puts the Netherlands 2-1 ahead.

Defender Vrij made up for the mistake he made in the first half when he bundled in Sneijder's in-swing free-kick in the far post to make it 3-1.

The defending champions crashed to a 1-5 trouncing in their opening match

Van Persie dispossessed the ball from Spanish goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas and tapped in the open goal in the 72nd minute while Robben surged in another solo run in the 80th minute and rounded Casillas before making it 5-1. Casillas was shown the yellow card in the 65th minute.

Goals' Information: The Netherlands 5 (Robin van Persie 44, 72, Arjen Robben 53, 80, Stefan de Vrij 65) Spain 1 (Xabi Alonso 27 Penalty)

Oneindia News

(With IANS inputs)