Business Standard

Champions Spain left reeling by record defeat

Image

AFP Salvador (Brazil)
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admits the holders were stunned by their 5-1 hammering at the hands of the Netherlands in their opening World Cup match on Friday.

The defending holders and European champions were thrashed in their Group B opener as the Netherlands exacted emphatic revenge for the defeat in the 2010 final.

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben both netted twice, while centre-back Stefan de Vrij also got on the scoresheet.

Worryingly for del Bosque, it could have been more as the Dutch fired in a flurry of late shots as the Spanish defence capitulated in Salvador.
 

"We didn't react well to Van Persie's second goal -- they were euphoric and they hammered us," said del Bosque.

"In the second-half, they were simply better than we were and they overwhelmed us. Now isn't the time to point the finger of blame at each other, we are all to blame.

"We need to try to find solutions and win the two remaining games, starting with our next game against Chile."

In a group that was always expected to be hotly contested and liable to be settled by goal difference, Spain now have little margin for error if they are to avoid a stunning first round elimination.

"It is one of the toughest defeats of my career," admitted the 34-year-old Xavi.

"We did everything wrong in the second-half, it was a debacle."

Spain conceded two goals at the last World Cup and three in their qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014, leaving Del Bosque at a loss to explain the five-goal mauling.

"I can't find the words to explain that, we are normally solid in defence, but today we were very weak," said Del Bosque.

"You have to acknowledge the performances of Van Persie and Robben.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Jun 14 2014 | 10:57 AM IST

Explore News