Spain vs Netherlands Match of the Day Live

Janeiro, our base for the next month or so. The 20th World Cup is up and

running after an opening night victory for the host nation and five

times World Champion Brazil. They are feeling on top of the world.

The draw for the tournament means the only way Brazil can play a match

here in Rio is if they make the final on July 13. Tonight we feature

the two sides who went all the way four years ago in South Africa. It

the two sides who went all the way was a night when beauty tamed the

beast. So this is it. These players stand on the brink of history at the

end of an historic African World Cup.

That is a blogging. Alonso has been caught. A karate kick to his chest.

Robben has been denied. They are appealing for a penalty but only a

corner has been given. Now it is Spain's final to win. Cesc

Fabregas. Iniesta. This is it. That is the goal! Spain have surely won

the World Cup! Four years later, Vicente del Bosque

E is still in charge of the Spanish team. 25 World Cups he has been in

charge of with one defeat. They are yet to score that winning goal yet.

Can the Dutch put that right this evening? Louis van Gaal takes charge

of Holland for this World Cup before becoming Manchester United manager

next season. That team is made up of Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Rio

Ferdinand. Overall thoughts of the tournament so far? I know you watch

the Brazilian game with a couple of Brazilians. That must have been

wonderful. I was with the twins for my previous club. It looks like they

need to be taken down! The expectations of the country weighed

heavily on the shoulders of the Brazilian team. That is me having

taken! It was great experience being there with a Brazilian family and

seeing them willing on their team. You felt there was a pivotal moment

in that game, the elbow of Neymar. You thought probably a red card. I

thought it was. He was not looking at the ball. He was looking at look

at Ridge. He knew what he was doing. -- look. For me he knows what he is

doing. That is a red card. What do you know about elbows? You never

elbowed anybody in your life. That was me! That is true but it was a

red card for me. It would have taken a brave man to send off the poster

board and would have ruined our titles! Imagine if it was another

player doing it to Neymar. I think he might have gone. What about the

penalty decision? Some very strange decisions. But that one? I have said

the team that wins the World Cup will need some

the team that wins the World Cup doubt they got their luck. That is

never a penalty. Yes, the defender puts his hand on Fred's shirt but

other than that there is no contact whatsoever. It has never been a

penalty and should not have been given. I think we all agree with

that. Very fortunate. Brazil are off to a winning start. There has

already been one gameplay today as the other two teams in group a

kicked off their campaign. Mexico met Cameroon and came out on top by

a single goal. Dos Santos's shot was saved and then it was swept home.

That concludes the first round of fixtures in group A. I figure's win

rose levels with the host. The two sides meet each other on Tuesday.

Meanwhile England have been training ahead of tomorrow's opening game

against Italy in group D, live on BBC One from 10:20pm and we will

hear from Roy Hodgson at half-time. Tonight's game takes place in the

city of Salvador, Brazil's biggest tourist destination after Rio. It

boasts 50 miles of beaches and has been declared a world Heritage site.

June is Salvador's coolest month but temperatures can still reach 26

degrees. The Arena Fonte Nova holds 50,000 people and somewhere in there

we will find Jason Mohammad and Mark Lawrence. Welcome to the Arena Fonte

Nova. Salvador has been itching to get the World Cup party started and

this is the dream start in many ways. Undoubtedly the tie of the

first round, of all the 32 teams that are here. The repeat of the

2010 final. As you say about Salvador, wherever you were in

Brazil at the moment you did not know the accommodation was on but

here you knew straightaway. Vicente del Bosque was slightly annoyed when

reporters asked him if it was the end of an era. Is it? It is not.

Four years ago they were a brilliant site and now they are still very

good. If Diego Costa blaze today, he has got the centre forward, not the

false number nine that they have prayed for for a while. I spoke to

Robben in the news conference and asked if he was thinking about 2010

and he said new tournament, fresher tent. They did not turn up to play

in 2010 and they got that just deserts because they turned up to

spoil. 50,000 fans in the stadium including a huge Dutch following.

Diego Costa does actually start. The teams are now in. Looking back four

years ago to that final, Holland betrayed their principles, didn't

they? We can't see that again. I have always been an admirer of the

Dutch way football but I don't think they did that four years ago and I

was actually surprised. I was hoping for a good final, football, goals,

and we did not see that. Sometimes with the team you are playing

against, you forget about your principles. They went into it

thinking they could not take on this Spanish team and they had to change

something and kick them out of the game. They tried and ultimately

failed. I think they went in thinking they were not as good as

the Spanish team. What about Spain this time? Three major tournaments

on the bounce would be an extraordinary achievement. A long

season for Spain with so many players successful in Europe as

well. That could be a telling factor, that they have had the

volume of high level games for their players. They are integral parts of

their teams. The one thing that Spain have got above everybody else

is the depth of squad. Quality everywhere in every position and a

plan B. If Diego Costa does not score, they can bring someone else

on. And the defenders can mark and that causes problems. I think they

also have several players the wrong side of 30. Casillas, Villa, Alonso,

and when you are over 30 you cannot play because of your age. You are

not allowed a bad game. Once you get over the 30 barrier it is always

your age. Now with Diego Costa they have another type of striker. He is

different to Fernando Torres and Villa. He is a pain in the neck. He

always makes runs. He can hold the ball. I am sure he is the kind of

striker they don't like to play with. Now with Diego Costa they can

play run and direct and they have always liked playing short as well.

We watched the Spanish train and we expect Spain to be more direct. The

Dutch have changed their system in recent friendlies and seem to be

going the same way. Does that surprise you? I think having Diego

Costa in the team for Spain will actually help the defenders for the

Dutch team in terms of having somebody to mark. It is three

against nobody if Cesc Fabregas plays because it does not play up

top. With Diego Costa they have somebody physical to mark. But you

have to bear in mind the runners, like David Silva, Iniesta on the

other side. How is verbal going to handle him. -- Fer. Louis van Gaal

once managed Barcelona where he gave debuts to Iniesta. And the

footballing bond in the country is strong, as Dan Walker tells us. The

rich footballing history shared by Holland and Spain is no coincidence.

The great Dutch team of the 1970s was born out of the game changing

Ajax side of that era. While was born out of the game changing

Spain's current success has been built on a core of Barcelona

brilliance. Their iconic names, images and ideas that link these

clubs and nations. But one of the most overlooked is Louis van Gaal.

He managed Ajax European glory in the 1990s. His managerial philosophy

was clear even then. You don't play only with your feet and legs. You

play football with your brains. When I played in Ajax, that is Louis van

Gaal. You can always fill in your first team with your own players,

who know the culture of the club. They have lived there for so long

that everything is natural. It was that Barcelona that van Gaal began

to dream of a starting 11 made up entirely of graduates made up from

the academy, which was a dream that became a reality. Debuts for the

likes of Iniesta and Xavi. Players that have gone on to achieve

legendary status in the game. They are great memories. These players

are also very kind as human beings. I believe in the total human being

principle. For me that is very important. Maybe that is why we

still have a relationship. Four years ago van Gaal watched on as a

handful of these players were crowned world champions. It made for

interesting viewing. I have five players in the Spanish squad that I

have trained and coached. In the Dutch squad there was only one from

Bayern Munich. Maybe I have to support the Spanish team. But of

course my nationality is Dutch so I supported the Dutch national team.

This time round it is clear which have he is hoping for. I have

already played against Spain when I was national coach of the

Netherlands in 2001. We won that game against my players. And here he

is. This will be his first and most likely last tournament as an

international manager. Nine wins and a draw in qualifying. This is the

side he has selected for this evening. Aspas Ellison, playing in

the -- Jasper Cillessen. Look out for Daley Blind, he will get forward

on the left-hand side. Ron Vlaar in the centre of defence. Three of the

back five play together, so that should help them. A 100th cap for

Sneijder, and we remember Nigel de Jong's kung fu kick. All eyes on

Robin van Persie, not a great season, but he says he is fit. Louis

van Gaal's captain, and will he get that role for Manchester United next

season? You talk about his form, but he was top scorer in qualifying.

What he needs to do is get back to his arrogant self, the spring in his

step, the happy Robin van Persie. We all need to be loved. When he has a

point to prove, this is what he can do. First game of the season, right

foot, fantastic finish. Only one thing on his mind, great connection,

and the keeper was not stopping this. When I say he is selfish or

arrogant, this is him at his best. He could pass it to Rooney or

Welbeck, but he has one thought. That. He is the one who will score.

The keeper getting nowhere near it again. Midway through the season,

this is what happened. One or two problems with the manager, which I

can relate to. As I said, he needs to be loved. Right foot there,

nothing at all. But van Gaal is his manager now, who loves them, he will

look after him. He could pass it there, no, but his first thought is

he will score it on his right foot. At times we all need an arm around

our shoulder. I had it at Newcastle, Ruud Gullit, he didn't want me

there. It might be a similar situation with Manchester United

last season. But now he is showing the form we know. Do you think there

was a difference with him on the David Moyes and do you think it is

different under van Gaal? I just think the dynamic change. He went

from being the star man to almost being like a sideshow. David Moyes

was talking up Wayne Rooney, like I said before, you guys, as forwards,

you need to be loved. I don't think he felt that loved last season. A

sensitive love -- lot, aren't we? You know about Louis van Gaal, he's

a terrific coach. We can talk about Barcelona and what he is doing right

now, but you guys might not agree, but that Ajax side he had, with

Edgar Davids, and Clarence, I've never seen a squad so dominant in

Europe, being so young. They were going away winning 3-0, 4-0, easy.

And they won the champions league with people like Patrick Kluivert.

They were just brilliant, and that was all down to him. A very creative

manager. Spain also have a hugely experienced manager, Vincente del

Bosque, who led them to victory at the World Cup four years ago, and

Euro 2012. If they win the World Cup they will be the first side to win

back-to-back world cups since Brazil in 1962.

The Spanish players warming up, three successive major championships

for them. So many familiar faces, and Diego Costa starts. Has played

too many games for Spain, has played for Brazil in the past. Xavi, ageing

now, has he lost that spark? We will find out in the next few weeks. So

many familiar faces in the Spanish line-up. Rio can talk us through the

line-up. Casillas, a champions league winner, but he did make a

mistake in the final and has only played two league games all season.

The defence is mean. Ram Ahsan Pique are the linchpin. Not conceded in

the last ten games -- Ram and Pique. -- Ramos. Busquets is crucial for

me, he is supported by Xavi will on is oh with his superb long-range

passing. Xavi dictate the tempo, and then Iniesta needs no introduction,

and then David Silva. No false number nine for Spain, they have a

proper striker in Brazilian born Diego Costa. He has proved his

fitness and he starts. You picked out Busquets. He's not the person

that comes immediately to most peoples minds, but he is an

important figure. He allows others to play. He can let them go forward

because he knows he has the keys to play. He can let them go forward

shut the door. He doesn't let to play. He can let them go forward

go past him, he will commit a foul to play. He can let them go forward

over his shoulder. He has been given to play. He can let them go forward

team-mates in relation to me? Making sure everything is done so he can

shut the door. Fantastic player. A real team player. Always backing up

play, always. Not worried about personal glory, scoring goals,

thoughts about the team at heart. Do your thing, I am here as the

outfall. And if I need to draw a foul to slow the pace, I will do

that, because I am cute enough. He is on Sneijder. Winning the ball,

tapes of him, doesn't care about getting upfront -- takes it of him.

Top player. Only a defender would pick out somebody like Busquets, but

he does have a naughty side. I played against him in the Champions

League final at Wembley, when they destroyed us, and I went to grab the

ball off him at a free kick, and he kept holding it, slowing the game

down. As I took it off him, I said give me the ball, and he told me to

be quiet. Manchester United, long ball, long ball, it just deflated

me. It was unbelievable. He is one of these guys who does not get the

credit from the media, but your team-mates and manager, you would be

one of the first to shake his hand at the end of the game because they

appreciate the work he does. Unsung heroes. I had the opportunity to

play with him, and I can tell you one thing, he can play. He has

skills, but he knows what the team requires. He reminds me of Michael

Carrick at Manchester United. Appreciated by the players he plays

with, completely. Perhaps more than the supporters. Exactly. What do we

expect from this game? We look the supporters. Exactly. What do we

the way the Dutch approach the supporters. Exactly. What do we

years ago, but do you see it as bags of possession for Spain? Spain will

have the ball, no doubt. That is just the way it is and how it will

be. We all know that. What I am expecting from the game is a big

game from expecting from the game is a big

me, and I know people don't talk about him too much, he allowed

Manchester City to get them to the title. I am looking forward to

seeing Costa because he has to prove he is a Spanish player. They've been

so successful in the wake they've played without a centre forward, and

now they have a plan B. He can hold it up and bring people into the

game. If they want to continue playing

game. If they want to continue he's that good a player. We have

experienced these moments, in the tunnel, the start of the World Cup,

you're never sure what will happen. tunnel, the start of the World Cup,

It's important to be mentally strong at this point. You go out there

thinking, get points on the board, first game. That's all you're

concerned about. The performance comes second in the first game, and

then you can relax in the second game. Do we sometimes see not an

element of fear, but caution in the first game in the group stages? We

saw it with Brazil yesterday. Amazing players, no pressure in

their league, calm and composed, even in a final, but this is the

World Cup and we saw yesterday they were nervous. That might be

something that will have an affect on the game today, because Spain

have been in that situation more than some of the youngsters. I want

to see the beginning of the game and then see who will be better. He is a

player. Just a bit. They have a few in their side. They are so

comfortable on the ball, and they all want the ball. But also what

they do is, they pass it, and sometimes they do it to get a rest,

because one touch football, and that will be needed in the tournament,

trust me, they are passing it to get a rest, and that is what they are

good at. I was in training with some of these guys, and I have to say,

although the little pass looks like it

although the little pass looks like running after it, it can chill you.

-- kill you. You often don't get the chance to play, you get it, and

sometimes you haven't had a touch but ten minutes. You need to score

and you think you have to do that. When they lose the ball, they will

be on it. Two or three guys knew straightaway. Looking forward to

this one, Spain against Holland. They have only won their first game

in three of the last ten games. Time for the anthems, after which you

will hear from Mark Lawrenson and Steve Wilson.

# ben ik, van Duitsen bloed, # den vaderland getrouwe

# blijf ik tot in den dood. # Een Prinse van Oranje

# ben ik, vrij, onverveerd, # den Koning van Hispanje

# heb ik altijd geeerd. changed. It was the cool of the

Johannesburg last time, but now it is the heat in Salvador. Holland

have only retained seven of their 2010 World Cup squad and retained --

change the manager, yet so little has changed. Spain have altered just

seven of their 2010 World Cup squad. Del Bosque goes on and Spain are

still the team to beat. The biggest issue for del Bosque was two to play

as a centre forward, or even whether to play for a centre forward -- was

who to play. And now you know, it was Diego Costa, Brazilian born,

capped by Brazilian friendlies, before choosing to switch to Spain,

a decision that went down very, very badly here. The starting XI have an

average of 77 caps each, and most of them have a World Cup winners medal

at home. And that is before you start talking about European

Championships. We have an Italian referee for this all European affair

on South American soil. Nicola Rizzoli is the man in charge, and he

has a refereeing of a Champions League final under his belt, at

Wembley, in 2013. They still have Wesley Sneijder and it is an

inexperienced backline, led by Aston Villa's Ron Vlaar, and Jonathan De

Guzman -- was passed fit, and he starts. Wesley Sneijder, one of the

stars of the last World Cup when he scored five goals, joint top scorer

in the competition, wins his 100th cap. It is basically five at the

back, Blind and Yam Matt will players wing-backs. -- Janmaat. You

look at the front three, and they need lots of servers. The great

problem against the Spanish is that they lend you the ball occasionally

-- lots of service. I think it will be fascinating game. It's only the

fourth time in World Cup history that the previous tournament's

finalists have met again. And on those three previous occasions, the

country that had won the World Cup failed to win the rematch. So,

Spain, all in white, and Holland all in blue. And in that respect, little

unfamiliar, but not too many unfamiliar faces down there. It is

around 80 degrees, 27 Celsius, quite humid. Probably will reign at some

point as it generally does on the north-east coast of Brazil. This is

a winter World Cup, and this group is underway with the world champions

in possession. Some say tikit-taka is a static,

some say it is anaesthetic, Some say tikit-taka is a static,

there is an early foul on Diego Costa, the man who might

system. Ron Vlaar saying, welcome to the World Cup. Diego Costa did not

get a notably bad ovation from the Brazilian

get a notably bad ovation from the are obviously many in the stadium.

get a notably bad ovation from the Got away with it, didn't he? Xavi

finding Xabi Alonso. Sergio Ramos still trying to find a

rail -- range of passing. That was a great tackle by Busquets. That is

why he is in the team. Is there a reason why they have five

goalkeepers? He did not know which was the best, I reckon. For me the

veteran of the last World Cup. But he has gone with Cillessen.

They can switch it, the Netherlands, play with four comfortably if they

feel they need to. They might in other matches but against the

Spanish, Louis van Gaal has Here he is, the

Bosque. He was asked if they were a team of veterans. He said no. They

are mature. We are at our peak. team of veterans. He said no. They

they are, who knows? They might just retain the title they won against

the Dutch. Of course, he

Spanish team from the Barcelona contingent. Not quite as well as del

Diego Bosque, but almost.

Diego of the championship final. He should

never have started of course, of the championship final. He should

hindsight. Lots of big gaps, of the championship final. He should

for the likes of Alonso to pick out David Silva and Diego Costa.

Cillessen is 25, so not wet behind the ears. Cesc Fabregas is among the

substitutes today. He will be a team-mate for Azpilicueta next

season. Of all people, you seriously does

not give a dam. He has a real edge about him. Big decision to switch 12

months out of the World Cup. Especially when it is Brazil!

Spanish centre back position with that free kick. Ended up giving the

ball away. The Dutch had a great record in

qualifying. The only failed to win one of the ten qualifiers and drew

against Estonia. It is because they used five goalkeepers! I think

Ireland is the last used five goalkeepers! I think

Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier, 13 years ago.

Casillas is not first choice at his club in La Liga but his

extraordinary 155th cap. Amazing. Most capped player in the World Cup.

His 30th match in European championship and World Cup finals.

Guzman under pressure immediately from Xabi Alonso, illustrating what

the white shirts no, as soon as they get the ball, they are under

pressure. The Spanish goalkeeper saves! It did

not really troubled goalkeeper. It was fantastic for Casillas to save

it. Either side of him and they would have been 1-0 up.

The thing is with playing against the Spanish, you never know when you

will get another chance. Booing for Diego Costa. Slightly

over hit by Xabi Alonso but it has hit a Dutch boot on its way out. As

it? Great ball and such an easy save in the end for Bradbury. Very

comfortable. -- for Casillas. Either side and you are 1-0 up.

Xabi Alonso is a fantastic player and surrounded by gems on every

side. Better from Spain, certainly. Fantastic vision and range and

quality of passing, Alonso. He makes you have the ball, doesn't he? That

is the great thing about him. The game has just started to quicken

up a little bit. Spain have been

country that is considerably cooler Spain have been

than here. The Dutch finished off their preparations in Rio.

David Silva just starting to find a little bit of space in between.

Ostensibly a back three rather than five for Holland.

Diego Costa tried to beat Ron Vlaar, who did ever so well. And he has

done well again! Great defending. Diego Costa just hesitated for a

split second. That was his first chance. A good

little run, a clever run. This is a tough group.

other main contenders. Particularly difficult if you are Australian, the

fourth team in it. A certain amount of negativity about the Dutch media.

They are worried they will not get out of this group. Don't forget

They are worried they will not get Netherlands lost all three matches

at Euro 2012. As I have said before, it is all about the service to the

front three. But we have been sitting here for 15 minutes and they

should be 1-0 in front, Holland. ball. He was just trying to

blockbuster quits. Will the referee 's book him? -- he was just trying

to block Busquets. He seems to like hitting people in the chest,

certainly Spanish players. Not sure he is a world-class footballer, but

he has world-class statues. Well -- tap to this. Well, not sure how many

more of those de Jong will get away with.

I'm not sure about Busquets, he has a track record for acting naughty.

He was up quicker than he went down. a track record for acting naughty.

Come on, how tall a C, six foot one? -- how tall is he? A free kick, and

a little word to Sneijder, but no more. We are only two games and 15

minutes into this World Cup, but a decent refereeing performance would

not go amiss. Don't go early! Some strange ones in the earlier

Mexico against Cameroon game. Backing in, stopping Ramos getting

the ball. That will be a Dutch throne. --

throw. That just allows the full-backs to get forward, but on

the occasions they have got forward, they haven't really had the ball.

Spade -- Spain played here in Brazil in the confederations cup a year

ago, and there is some advantage the teams who experienced the climate.

They were well beaten. I don't think they wanted to be here, in the end.

They were nearly beaten by Italy in the semifinal.

As luck would have it, Italy have been -- England have been drawn in

the group here, including Italy and Uruguay, the two beaten

semifinalists last season. And that 10:20pm tomorrow, please do join us

for England against Italy. Here is David Silva.

Not being the 17 minutes we dreamt of. Look on the bright side, he's

not having to limp off so far. Just giving the ball away again, the

Dutch. Definitely on, good timing of the run. You're not going to score

from there. Even the blokes in the studio could not manage that.

Spain asking why they cannot play on. He's only about five yards from

the touchline. Come on, referee, for goodness sake? He has busily got no

nails. Give it to somebody who has got some nails to undo the knot. You

don't get much for 180 grand a week, do you?

Lovely ball. David Silva trying to -- Diego Costa. Alonso kept his feet

well. Why didn't he shoot? I'm selfish, but may be unwise. --

unselfish. Alonso was missing in the Real

Madrid champions league victory because of suspension. Diego Costa.

Jordi Alba. De Jong was 1 million miles away

from giving it to Arjen Robben or Van Persie. Very highly rated, Bruno

Martins Indi. Is he that highly rated that van

Gaal might take him to Old Trafford? Is that what you are saying? Not the

only one in this team linked with a possible move to Old Trafford.

There were three in the box, then David Silva. It's a corner. Again,

when Iniesta got in the box there was nobody there until David Silva

repair. -- appeared. Well, it was given, and it is a Spanish corner,

the first of the game. Just too high for Sergio Ramos. It

was, but he spun off the mark, and nobody went with him. -- the marker.

Looks like he was having a joke there, del Bosque. Cillessen with

the clearance. Ron Vlaar was there. Good tackle. He

is enjoying this, Ron Vlaar. Roncrete, they call him in the

he doesn't run very fast. They've got nothing down the

They have not had a shot. Everyone appeals, and it

way of the Dutch. His dad, Danny Blind, is the assistant to Louis van

Gaal, along with Patrick Kluivert. Schmidt ger, who had the chance of

the game. -- Sneijder, who had the chance of the game. Blind.

Spain might counter here. De had to hold up Iniesta, and he did,

and he gets a yellow card. I'm not sure that is yellow card, you know.

Nobody wants to score in this game. A yellow for that? What were we

saying about the referees before? Will have nobody left. -- we will

have nobody left. Inside de Vrij, Diego Costa went

down, penalty. Stefan de Vrij on Diego Costa. And the referee had

absolutely no hesitation. It is a Spanish penalty. I tell you what, he

hasn't scored so far, Diego Costa, but his runs have been very good. On

will stop he does well here. He shaped to shoot -- onside. He does

well here. Great position from the referee.

He is normally a reliable penalty taker, Xabi Alonso, but he did blot

his copybook, even though it didn't matter as he went through against

Portugal. The goalkeeper with a word from the referee. And maybe a bit of

advice as to which way Alonso might go.

Cool as you like. Spain one, Netherlands zero. Alonso with the

penalty. Never really in doubt. Extremely

well taken. See what I mean, stuck his foot down. Rob Lee didn't need

to do that. Diego Costa is very clever -- probably didn't need to do

that. You don't get them when they are that low, do you? Cillessen

going in the right direction, but not quickly enough. You have to take

your chances against the Spanish. The flag is up against Van Persie.

Van Gaal with some thinking to do now. You might remember that Spain

won their last four matches at the World Cup by a margin of 1-0.

Only conceded two goals, didn't make, in 2010? They have not

conceded a goal at all in 2014. David Silva. Certainly looks like he

has given them something, Diego Costa. No doubt about that,

whatsoever. If you have a team with three centre-backs, you play with

three or one, never too. The other thing about Diego Costa

is, he does not half work for the team.

referee's assistant about to microseconds. I know they are

encouraged to do so. -- two seconds. It was definitely in. I am sure I

saw the net poking. What a load of rubbish. I must stress that is

nothing to do with us. They have goal-line technology and, boy, they

are going to use it. Half an hour played in the opening

Link was just looking at that. Only Spain.

Link was just looking at that. Only Robben and van Persie were in the

penalty area when Guzman broke down the right hand side. Early on in the

game Wesley Sneijder had a fantastic opportunity one-on-one with

Casillas, more or less straight at the goalkeeper.

Holland can't really go chasing the game, can they? Too early.

Sergio Ramos was tempted them. -- then. Did he gamble? This will tell

us. No, he just couldn't quite get there. Very similar to the own goal

scored last night by Brazil. there. Very similar to the own goal

central defender staring I think the referee had already

was it? I think the referee had already

blown for a foul. Spain lost the opening game of the last World Cup

finals to Switzerland, if you remember. One of only three

finals to Switzerland, if you that they have suffered in their

last 64 competitive games. The other two being the semifinal of the 2009

Confederations Cup and the final of the 2013 edition.

Van Persie offside. Your next live World Cup football on the BBC is the

Columbia -Greece game, join us from 4 o'clock on BBC One. I think Alba

plays him on. Italy live on BBC TV tomorrow

evening. It is like they are just getting

used to playing with a centre forward.

Alonso felt that from Guzman. The one player on the pitch who has

already had a card, Guzman. That is going to hurt. It was more

accidental. Don't you just love it? They just

have the ball in any situation whatsoever, the Spanish players.

have the ball in any situation is like, just give it me, I will

give it you back. You could make a formidable team of

Spanish players who are not in this squad.

With Robin van Persie and Sneijder, you never know, but the Dutch have a

really difficult job on now. Well, it went happen because there are

just seven or eight minutes to go, but if it stays at 1-0, they will

have to change. Look at that footballer shouting at the football.

Offside but he doesn't think he was. I tend to think he is right. This

should tell us. Yes, his right foot is offside. But the Spanish do have

a tendency sometimes when there is no pressure on the ball in midfield

to push up a little Diego Costa could have played on

there. Yes, this might be a booking. A talking to. A booking for de Vrij,

joining Guzman in the referee's notebook. Just took him out. Tui

Capcom we are on-air from 4 o'clock for Colombia and Greece. -- to

recap. Is that flag going up as well? It

is. The delay was his left hand, I think, the assistant was trying to

get it into his right hand to raise it.

The most capped Dutch player has 24, which is not much when you look at

what they are put against. They have a tendency to blow from a five to a

four which could be the way forward. That is how they played against

Wales in Amsterdam, winning 2-0. Then they got on the plane for

Brazil. Iniesta. Lovely ball! Great chance

for David Silva! He did ever so well. What a fantastic pass. Was he

on? Was he ever! That is the only problem with the three centre backs

sometimes. If nobody picks the runner up, a lot of space to close

down... That is a really good save. David Silva is

wants the ball all the time. If he Van Persie onside! A fantastic goal!

What a fantastic goal! An absolute peach of a ball in and Robin van

Persie heads over Casillas and it is one all in Salvador. Fantastic. Not

just the past or the run. It is the fact that van Persie knew he had to

wait for it. He got there early and he knew exactly what he was going to

do. It had to be absolutely perfect to beat Casillas and it was,

brilliant. Great ball. He picked him out. Runs the other side of Sergio

Ramos. He had a really quick look at the goalkeeper. Absolutely

brilliant. That is a wonderful goal, a wonderful

brilliant. That is a wonderful one each. That is what he can do.

Well, the Dutch fans outnumber the Spanish, I would estimate, three

Well, the Dutch fans outnumber the four to one. And it is the orange

cloud, the Netherlands four to one. And it is the orange

can hear. We are moving into an added minute at the end of the half.

can hear. We are moving into an A great time to score as well. Just

after David Silva missed that chance.

You have to give the goalkeeper credit, that saved could be

incredibly important. It does change the heart Time

incredibly important. It does change van Gaal. -- half-time team talk.

The first goal that Spain have conceded this calendar year. I am

not sure that is a foul. Arjen Robben could have been away. Let's

not sure that is a foul. Arjen have a look. This is the goal. That

is superb. That is brilliant. That is top class.

It's all very well, we have seen that ten times. We want to see the

foul. That's good. Well, and excellent half. Really good heart.

Wesley Sneijder could easily have given the Dutch the lead early on.

Xabi Alonso did with a very coolly taken penalty after Diego Costa,

Xabi Alonso did with a very coolly has played well, was fouled by de

Vrij. But Robin van Persie with a brilliant, brilliant header, has

made it 1-1 at half-time. Beautifully balanced, the game. Good

to watch. Yes, it is. As a striker you have to admire the movement of

Robin and Diego Costa. And Robin very good for Holland. A close game.

Nothing in it. Chances for both teams. It is fascinating,

tactically, the way Holland have set up with five of the back or three at

the back against the Spanish, and the Spanish have been a lot more

direct. We mentioned it before the game, more direct than they have

been in the past with cost up there, but neatly poised. It's interesting,

two contrasting styles, but at one stage it looked like Spain were

getting on top, creating chances and got the goal, but that goal before

half-time changes things dramatically. The first chance

Snyder -- Sneijder had, they realised if they played the ball

quickly in behind the back four, the Spanish defence don't look like they

are capable of containing Spanish defence don't look like they

Persie's movement, has proved in the final minutes. This is the one you

are talking about. To be fair it looked like Sneijder was surprised

when he got through. He could have taken it closer to the keeper, but a

good save in the end. I don't think, as a forward, he was in control of

the situation. When you are one-on-one with the goalkeeper, you

have to think quicker than the goalkeeper and give him more

problems. He could take it another yard or two, then Casillas has more

to think about. Saying that, it's one of the hardest things as a

centre forward is when you have time, so what you need to do, and I

always used to finish the same way, and that was my way of not thinking

about what I was going to do when I was running. I knew what I was about

to do every single game, sometimes I scored, sometimes I missed, but that

is what you need to do. When goalkeeper stands up like that, it

makes it easy, because of the height of the shot. Casillas makes himself

big, but you need to go low, behind the post, and normally Iker Casillas

doesn't dive, he just wants to make himself big. I think, number nine, a

striker who is used to going through on goal, they have a clear picture,

clear scene in front of them. It is a bit blurry when it is one-on-one,

and that is the difference. He has to put it low. He's made it easy for

the goalkeeper. A slight tactical change from Spain, slightly more

direct style, looking for cost on a number of occasions. They did it

exactly. Whether it is Xavi Alonzo or Iniesta win the midfield, they

think, can he not get forward -- Alonso. They are giving Spain

another option to running behind. The Dutch defence gets deeper and

deeper and further back, which gives them more space to play in front.

Pick your head up, and that is a fantastic ball. A clumsy challenge

from the defender and I think the referee gets it right. Doesn't quite

catch him, but watches put come-down. The defender slides in. A

rash challenge and a penalty -- watch him come in. I think he has

put his foot down to get his balance. Because the defender is a

rash, he brings him down. Once you go down in the box like that, the

forward deserves everything. As a defender, if you go down, you are

susceptible to make the decision for the referee very easy. Worth seeing

again, because he does put his foot towards the defender, rather than

the other way round. I think he wants to go back on his foot to gain

his balance, but for me, the argument for me would be, Diego

Costa on his left foot. Make him score on his left foot. I would have

gone and celebrated the goal with him, but you allow him to go back on

his right. He made the defender do what he wanted. He knows the

defender is rushing. He what he wanted. He knows the

option to come back inside knowing that if the defender doesn't touch

the ball, he will take him out. I think Ron Vlaar was in the same

position early in the half, and said, if you beat me here, well

done. He did not commit. The defender committed and got punished.

We talked about Robin van Persie before the game, and he didn't let

you down. Fabulous goal. Amazing what a bit of love does. Beautiful

movement. The two centre halves did not know where they were or where he

was. No cover from Ramos behind Piquet and the instinctive finish

was beautiful. And the celebration with his manager shows the love.

That is what I was saying, if you have a boss that loves you.

Satisfaction. Relief. That is classic centre forward play. A

relatively quiet 44 minutes, didn't do much, feeling his way into the

game, a little ball behind for Sneijder. But that is the sign of a

top, top forward. When you get presented with a chance like that,

he takes it. A wonderful, instinctive finish. You have to give

credit to Blind. You see him and that is him at his best. Some

players would take that on their chest. Robin is so confident. His

awareness of everything, where the goalkeeper is, he knows what he is

doing. The one thing I want to talk about on this one, when you see the

position of Gerard Pique and Ramos, he is going to kill them. They did

not smell the danger. Blind is on the ball, and they do not see Ramos.

He doesn't adjust it in relation to Piquet. -- Gerard Pique. The one

nearest Danny Blind is there. He did not drop back at all. Van Persie

knows where he is. By the time the ball has travelled, he knows where

the goalkeeper is and he has worked out what he will do and the

execution was brilliant. Before that, the Spanish could have been

out of sight if David Silva had finished that chance. Another

occasion where a goalkeeper has stood up. I don't normally give

credit to stood up. I don't normally give

there, because he reacted well. You don't see it properly

there, because he reacted well. You one of the replays, you will see him

looking at the ball. Sometimes the goalkeeper will turn his head, but

he's looking at the ball. That's another opportunity where Spain get

the ball in the Dutch half, but the first thought is to lift their head

up. This time it was David Silva, but I agree, fantastic save. We are

not even talking about Iniesta's Pask. -- pass. You say it is normal,

but it is not normal. Like a normal player. But one thing that is

refreshing for me is that the strikers are going behind the

defence, and he knows that you don't like that. It creates more space for

the midfield behind. It's refreshing to see strikers going behind the

defence. That is how they are getting the space in front of them

because the defenders go back to buy themselves more space and time, but

with the Spanish, they love that. themselves more space and time, but

Long live centre forwards. Jens, we will come back to the game shortly,

but let's get the latest from the England camp before the opening game

against Italy -- gents. You picked up the plans of the Euro

2012 quite late, but this is your plan. Does it feel like Roy

Hodgson's World Cup? That might be too much to say, but I understand

what you are saying. It does feel good to have had two years with the

team and see the team evolve to some extent. We have had a surge of young

players who have had fantastic ends to the season with their club and

have forced their way into the squad, which is exciting, because it

gives a different balance between the experience and youth. What I've

noticed in the last week is the clamour and shouts are getting

louder for you to unleash those Lions. Yes, you need to be careful

when you are a coach. I understand it. If I was watching from afar with

no responsibility I might be clamouring myself but I wouldn't be

afraid to put the younger players in. One hopes that when I do put

them in, they will be able to lean on the experience of some of the

older players, the ones who on the experience of some of the

been in World Cup matches before. Is your starting XI for Italy the

starting XI for the World Cup, or a specific 11 for the match? It's what

we think is a good 11 and a very good team, a team capable of dealing

with Italy and how Italy play. The team going into this

with Italy and how Italy play. The game of the World Cup, with the

energy and the pace and ability we have, I don't fear

energy and the pace and ability we anything like the game that took

place in Kiev. That was two years ago, it is history. We hope

place in Kiev. That was two years learned some things, but we hope we

have learned more from studying Italy recently. How important is the

World Cup for Wayne Rooney? His Italy recently. How important is the

career has been great. What he has done in his 28 years is outstanding.

I think it is a tribute to his quality in his career that people so

much pressure on him, if you like, to perform, that people are saying

it's all about to perform, that people are saying

the time for him to shine and to score goals. It would be very nice

if some of the other players in the team who have the ability could chip

in as well. Maybe take a little bit of some of the pressure of these

players. Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica make up Group D. The team are

already in Manaus Azhar Gabby Logan and Phil Neville. The team will be

on this pitch in half an hour testing it out for the first time,

testing out the conditions, and Philip you have got into the town

from Sao Paulo. Is it as hot and humid as you thought? They made a

lot of the humidity, and it was 32 degrees in Miami, and it was 26

today, so the conditions aren't as bad as we think. They say it will

get a bit cooler during the night, so hopefully the conditions won't

play as big a part as we thought. If we look damn, we just got done by

the sprinklers, not because we are hot and humid -- if we look damp.

The sprinklers are on because of the state of the pitch. It is looking a

lot greener today because it has been painted. You had a look at it.

What do you make of it? From this camera angle, the pitch will look

perfect, but it is buried there. The pitch is sandy and hard and it will

be interesting to see whether the ball will run through. Disappointing

when you prepare for a World Cup and you come to the final bit and the

pitch is not up to scratch. That is what is disappointing the England

team. I think they have played on worse. Do you think Roy Hodgson will

unleash an attacking side? The mood has been so positive. The front six

will be so exciting. Jordan Henderson with Steven Gerrard, they

will be the base of the midfield, and we will see Welbeck and animal

Alana with important jobs -- Adam Alana. You have storage and Welbeck

upfront and Rooney. -- Daniel Sturridge. A lot of interchanging

and hopefully they can take the signs they showed against Peru and

Honduras and come on fire tomorrow. I think we better go before we get

drenched. Proved it was live, didn't it? More from Phil Neville on the

website where you will see his tactical blog.

Our coverage begins at 10:20pm on BBC One.

Before that, there will be extended build-up from Manaus ahead of

Colombia against Greece and coverage begins at four p.m.. So much to look

forward to on the BBC in the next few weeks.

night after Brazil scored a couple of goals. Back to this game. All

square at half time, Holland against Spain. The goals that you score just

before a break make such a difference psychologically. Yes, the

Dutch team must be buzzing. They must think they can actually do it.

When you score a goal against a team like Spain, you think you can win.

Celebrating almost as they came off the pitch at half-time, Robben. But

that is a bit premature there is a long way to go. Also Spain had just

missed beforehand to go 2-0 up with David Silva. A minute later, they go

straight in and score. From being miserable and despondent, they are

on a rise and with confidence. Having said that, they will not

panic. They will continue their game plan, they have been there loads of

times, they are easy at this level. It cost Casillas a record. He would

have beaten the all-time record for the amount of minutes keeping a

clean sheet but that is not to be. He needed another 25 minutes. Let's

hand back to Steve Wilson. Thank you, Gary. No changes in

personnel but a change in weather with a frequent tropical downpour

just beginning. Holland all in blue from left to right in the second

half, boosted massively by that Robin van Persie header just before

the break. Xabi Alonso with the penalty that gave Spain the lead.

Beautifully poised. It will be quite nice to play in the

rain, quite refreshing. It is not terrifically hot but quite humid.

Van Persie has now scored in every major tournament finals in which he

has played and this is his fifth. Three World Cups, two major

championships finals. If you saw the earlier game between

Mexico and Cameroon, it was this kind of weather from start to

finish. Seems appropriate in the wet that this World Cup's psychic animal

is a turtle. Big Head the leatherback has taken over from Paul

the octopus, which I think is a good thing overall because somebody once

said you win nothing with squids. No change of tactic here from either

side at the Never frightened to go back to

eventually go forward. Iniesta made that slightly tricky

for Cillessen. hour for about five minutes. -- to

poor The Dutch are off to Port Alegre

next where they play Australia with different weather conditions. It is

cold there. Robben was just beginning to flow,

get in his stride. Some encouragement out there for

Louis Van Harle. -- Lewis van Gaal. That was a clever nudge by Sergio

Ramos. Van Gaal is not happy. Robben! 2-1! Arjen Robben fires the

Dutch in front and world champions Spain are behind in Salvador! And

yet again the Spain are behind in Salvador! And

Spain right through the centre of their defence. No wonder he looks

bemused. Very little protection on occasions, Casillas. What an upset

we have here. Started with the Spanish giving the

ball away. Great first touch. Little bit of luck. As you said, the big

chance he had against the same Gold Beach the -- goalkeeper in

Johannesburg. Sergio Ramos Beach the -- goalkeeper in

have been slightly off the pace. Spain may be behind but the Dutch

are long way away from winning this game. An injury. No, it is Martins

Indi. Why is he down? Who put him there?

Diego Costa looks favourite in the dock! You mean he looks sheepish?

Let's face it, I don't think Iniesta would be capable of putting him

down... Oh, there you go. Did he make contact? Well, not the most

intelligent thing that Diego Costa has ever done on a football pitch.

I feel a bit sorry for the referee. He is saying he did not see it. What

can he do? What did the former manager and coach say about Diego

Costa? Bad milk? Free kick or goalkick? I think the

ball might have gone out of play. Here we are again. You are asking to

be sent off! Not an enormous amount of contact, but I would suggest if

the referee had seen it he would have gone.

I just never know why players do that. Two Brazilians might have been

sent off in this World Cup already, Neymar and Diego Costa. It is not as

though he has been kicking him from pillar to post. I don't think he has

even touched him. Robben and Robin van Persie with the

Dutch goals, coming from behind to lead.

Diego Costa offside. I don't know if it is the relative decline of

Barcelona or the fact Spain were so heavily beaten in the Confederations

Cup 12 months ago, or the fact these things are cyclical, but if Spain

lose here having led against the Dutch in particular, it will add to

the suspicion and feeling that they may just be coming towards the end

of an era. Del Bosque says that is not the case but big questions being

asked. No. The facts about them, they hardly concede goals, but today

they really have been quite porous through the middle of defence. They

have conceded two and if Sneijder had taken his early chance, which

you should have done, it would be three. Just the nature of the ball

is played through. Basically page one of how to defend.

clearance. Ron Vlaar collect is -- Sergio Ramos collect from Ron Vlaar.

David Silva was complaining, but he's on the ball now.

Just a repeat, they open -- lost the opening game of the last World Cup

but went on to win it. I find this gate -- stage of the game absolutely

fascinating. What do you do? Either manager. A little over half an hour

to go. Cillessen, who played his part with

a save Cillessen, who played his part with

Fernando Torres is getting ready. In fact, it will be a double change,

because Pedro is fact, it will be a double change,

well. That is the reaction from fact, it will be a double change,

Bosque. I think van Gaal is going to make a change very shortly as well.

Sneijder to Arjen Robben. Running at the heart of the defence. Van Persie

onside. He has hit the bar! He was onside. A

onside. He has hit the bar! He was absolutely sweet. Well, small

onside. He has hit the bar! He was margins make a difference in big

games, and how small was margins make a difference in big

margin? He is slightly off, but that is the margin I'm talking about,

margin? He is slightly off, but that inches lower, and it is 3-1. First

thing Van Persie did was turn and look at the referee's assistant to

see if the flag was up, and it wasn't.

Wijnaldum is going to come on. But here comes Spain.

Cillessen got their first from David Silva and did well. He did well,

brilliantly, he read the play from the goalkeeper, the starting

position. There will be two Spanish changes and a Dutch change as well.

I guess that was a changes and a Dutch change as well.

clogs on from old Amsterdam? Well, I De Guzman coming off, which might

not be entirely unrelated to the fact that he is on a yellow card.

Replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum, straight positional change.

And Diego Costa is replaced by Fernando Torres, and Xabi Alonso is

replaced by Pedro. So, just over an hour of the

played, the opening game of the group in Salvador. And goals from

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, either side of half-time, means that

the Netherlands leads Spain 2-1. And Robin van Persie has hit the bar to

boot. A good spell from Holland, because

Robben has got himself free in all sorts of different positions.

And the Dutch get the foul. Handball, I think, is what it is

given for. The booing is for the confirmation

of the change made by del Bosque, and the name of Diego Costa is

announced as the player being taken. Wesley Sneijder. Has it gone over

the line on the back post? It has! It is free! Stefan de Vrij has made

it three for the Netherlands. Casillas is complaining. He felt he

was fouled. A yellow card has been shown to the Spanish goalkeeper, I

think, and they are 3-1 down. Casillas came for it and I'm not

sure he got anywhere near it. I am not sure de Vrij knew that much

about it either. He is complaining that Van Persie fouled him. That is

what he thought. There is contact, most definitely, but I'm not

convinced Casillas was getting that. Well, you often see them given. De

Vrij got it in by hook or by crook. Absolutely. There is a fellow in the

studio who scored 200 goals like that. Well, well, well. Spain,

within a moment of having made two changes designed to wrestle the game

back from the Dutch have conceded another. They have let in three. Van

Persie has hit the bar. Sneijder Mr one-on-one. There is another card

coming here. -- missed a one-on-one. Van Persie had a wild swing at

Pedro. The yellow card shown in the

aftermath of the goal to Casillas, I believe. Robin van Persie has one as

well. When you tot up the chances, it

could have been five. Torres is a surprising inclusion of

the squad. Surprising to Alvaro Negredo above all. Pedro. David

Silva. Rates -- great blog by Bruno Martins Indi. It's in from David

Silva. The flag is up! He has taken a knock as well, the

goalkeeper. This is turning out to be some game.

He has got away with it, the goalie, hasn't he?

Cillessen away downfield. Spain momentarily thinking it was 3-2, but

they are 3-1 down here in Salvador. Your next football, join us at 4pm,

Columbia come into the tournament, playing against Greece -- Colombia.

Then 10:20pm, England against Italy, BBC One again. Here is confirmation

of the yellow card in the aftermath of the de Vrij goal.

He is saying, why did you book me, I was fouled. You protested too much.

He Van Persie. Casillas with his right

leg. Beautifully worked. Nobody therein a blue shirt.

One rain Spain ended last week -- rain in Spain. Kinkel and Carlos

stepping down. -- King one Carlos. The undisputed kings of world

football are not starting this competition in anything like the way

they would have hoped or expected. This is the save from Casillas with

his board. --. -- his foot. This is the save from Casillas with

Robben and Van Persie all day. It is apropos of nothing,

that the two finalists from a previous World Cup have

that the two finalists from a World Cup winners have never won the

rematch -- and the team. Unless Spain do

rematch -- and the team. Unless minutes, that will continue.

A little pause for breath from Janmaat.

Casillas is caught. And Robin van Persie has poked

Iker Casillas, of all people, the most capped player in this World

Cup, one of the most decorated most capped player in this World

players in the world. And Robin van Persie puts this game out of Spanish

reach. So lackadaisical. His first touch is what has cost him, isn't

it? forwards, gamble. If he had gone

down, you might have had a penalty and got sent off.

Not a turtle or and octopus in the world that would have seen this one

coming. A tortoise would go into its shell.

There was very little optimism in the Dutch media ranks about this

game. They were assuming they would beat Australia and the last game

against Chile in Sao Paulo would decide who would go through as

runners-up. If Spain go through as runners up the way it is looking, we

could have Brazil and Spain in the second round. A lot of waters to go

under a few bridges before that but it is a possibility.

No wonder they are singing and dancing in the rain.

Fernando Torres played that wide but the free kick was given. Could have

been worse for Spain, Diego Costa and Casillas could both have been

sent off. I like the idea of the spray. It

might catch on. He has put it on my boots, my leopard skins! Ruined

them! Not long for Spain to turn this around. Sergio Ramos! Not too

far wide. They are taking of different --

Stefan de Vrij and bringing on Joel Veltman, another Ajax defender.

15 minutes to go. Spain led 1-0 in Salvador, and are now 4-1 down.

David Silva might have made it 2-0 in what seems like a long time ago

now. I would actually go along with the

referee on that. On the basis that it does not always have to be

necessarily either a dive or a foul.

The Dutch are thoroughly enjoying themselves and Robin van Persie is

going to get a great innovation here. His first goal was a wonder

goal. Class finish. Van Persie and Robben have taken Spain apart, in

all honesty. Two goals for van Persie, one for Robben and one for

de Vrij. Dutch Wonderland, really. I don't expect you to answer this, but

the last time the Spain conceded four goals in a tournament? Long

time ago. They lost by three to Brazil in the Confederations Cup

final, 3-0. Robben and Sergio Ramos... It could

be a fifth. It should be... There is! Louis van Gaal and the

Netherlands have destroyed the world champions! And absolutely

brilliantly taken goal by Robben. Absolutely brilliant. He waited and

he waited. In all honesty, look how he outpaces everybody. Who is that

trying to catch him? Sergio Ramos. Like running through treacle.

The misery for Spain is that there are still ten minutes to play. Spain

one, Netherlands five. I think you need to keep repeating that in case

someone has just come in! business as usual when Xabi Alonso

struck home that penalty to business as usual when Xabi Alonso

Janmaat chasing Sergio Ramos. They has been incredible.

Janmaat chasing Sergio Ramos. They have been run ragged. He and Pique

have been pulled all over the place. They have waited four years and they

say that revenge is best served cold. Cold and wet.

Good recovery. Those faces tell you everything. They are a group of

players now in uncharted territory. As is the manager.

There was a time when this Spanish group seemed to be simply

unbeatable. Suspicions over the last year that if they have a bad day and

you have a very good one, you might just be able to trouble them, but it

has been a very long time since Spain were humble and thrashed and

they have been thrashed here. rock-solid, right from that early

challenge and Diego Costa. -- Vlaar. The Spanish headline writers

will be preparing the Spanish Inquisition lines, no

will be preparing the Spanish they have some thinking to do before

they go and play Chile in Rio in what is now a huge game for them.

You could argue they could have done with Australia. They beat Chile 2-1

in the last World Cup but it was not a cakewalk. Quite tight if my memory

serves. It just shows you when you have got

matchwinners, the likes of Robben and van Persie, when they are at

matchwinners, the likes of Robben against any team.

Shock wave, isn't it? It is. We are speechless in many ways. Never a

good thing for a commentator! It is not just the defeat, it is the

man. And the fact they were in front. And the way they have

conceded the goals. It has been appalling, in all honesty. Well done

to Holland for some outstanding play.

Surely not six? Casillas makes the save. Should have been six. Great

save again by Casillas. He should have scored. Should have scored from

there. What a hit from Robben. And it hit the bar as well through van

Persie. Wesley Sneijder missed the first chance of the game and it was

a golden one. Three more might have gone in.

Flag up, handball. Interesting to see what del Bosque does for the

next game. Who he starts and who he leaves out and if he changes the

goalkeeper. He has got loads of options of

course. Does he just write it off as a really bad night?

hat-trick. Sneijder, blocked by Sergio Ramos. Wesley Sneijder again.

Well, the end cannot come soon enough.

Veltman, back to Cillessen. Who would ever have thought that Spain

would be looking at this. It is worth repeating, at the World

Cup, four years ago, they lost to Switzerland in their opening game.

Yes, you have still only lost three points, haven't you? He looked a bit

long plus. A few things on his mind, probably. -- a bit nonplussed.

Janmaat with the throw, and just a few more seconds for the Spanish do

Injera -- to ensure -- endure. Jeremain Lens has got through the

tackle, Arjen Robben in the middle. Sneijder missing. Why did he stretch

for it? There are four added minutes, and that is for too many

for Spain. You know what, you never know.

Fantastic ball. It will be tapped in by Torres. No, it won't! That is

amazing. That does sum up the night for Spain, doesn't it? That takes

the biscuit. That is a hefty challenge from

Pedro. Well, all great champions suffer defeats now and again in any

sport. All great champions will taste defeat. But this has been a

defeat of immense proportions for Spain.

defeat of immense proportions for defeat, as well. Well, you've got to

learn how to lose as well as to win. They have been taught a lesson by a

Dutch side that many were wondering if they could get out of the group.

Dutch side that many were wondering Well, you could argue that the

manager has gambled on changing the Arjen Robben has thoroughly enjoyed

his evening's work. The second half, he has torn the Spanish defence

apart. Absolutely torn apart. The Dutch will deserve a huge of a

should they get from their fancier. How does the song go? It's the end

of the world as we know it. And the Dutch feel fine.

The world champions have lost the opening game of the World Cup.

The world champions have lost the how the wheels have fallen off for

the Spanish. They have been dismantled. Dismantled by van Gaal

and his young Dutch team, with the old Masters Robben and Van Persie

proving ageless. Quite outstanding second-half performance and a

literally shocking result. 5-1. Well, there you have it, Spain one,

Netherlands five. Thoroughly enjoyed in the studio, and not too many

people envisage that one. I am speechless. All I was thinking at

the moment was, we were talking about Louis van Gaal, Cruyff,

bringing Total Football to Barcelona, and the Spanish club.

They took it back tonight. Wanted it a bit more. -- the Spanish squad.

The way that the Dutch play, there is nothing more to say. I am

shocked. A stunning game. Absolutely stunning. They were sensational.

That goal before half-time, that gave them a unbelievable confidence.

There was a spring in their step when they came out after half-time.

And Spain were second best in every department. It should have been

seven or eight. Some of the performances, Robben, Van Persie,

Blind, they were absolutely brilliant. A breathtaking 45

minutes. If they had had the cameras on us in the studio, the beautiful

goals we saw today, Robben running half of the pitch and going beyond

Ramos, putting it in the back of the net, that is what you want to watch

in the World Cup, and we got it tonight. That is the excitement, we

didn't get it four years ago. That is the final we wanted to see four

years ago. You have to mention Robin van Persie, but the meat, the Man of

the Match, by a distance was Blind -- but for me. He did what he was

asked to. He did it to a tee. I'm sure he must have looked at him, and

whatever you said to my father, I'm doing even more. When he set it up,

that system, it's Azpilicueta, one-on-one, and he gave Azpilicueta

the runaround. He was up and down the line, constant, nonstop. But his

quality was unbelievable, to put the ball is in as he did, brilliant. We

will have a look at a few of the goals, some stunning goals. Let's

look at the one that gave the Dutch the lead. Blind, the ball comes out

to him, and the distance between Gerard Pique and Ramos is far too

big. Robben is one-on-one when the ball comes in. He is in control of

the situation. His movement mesmerises the defender, and the

finish, gets a bit of luck, but he deserves it. When you are in this

situation with a defender, you against him, you have to control the

situation. Watch Robben. He takes a yard in front, just that the reason

of getting behind, and the defender falls for it. Hook, line and sinker.

He is control of it -- in control. I'm looking from the defender's

perspective, and Ramos has to control Gerard Pique, he has to get

across as far as he can. Where ever he wants to go, seeing the movement

and pace of Robben, get across. But he also has to control Robben, he

can see him in front of him, and in that situation, one-on-one, I am

thinking, I will control you, I will pull you towards the ball because I

will running behind you. In that split second, as a defender, if you

are uncertain, you drop, you go a yard back and reassess and he did

not do that. That is my point. When you go behind the defence, that is

what he creates. Uncertainty. If you drop and drop, that is what he did

all night. They went behind the defence. It is a brilliant Dutch

performance, but was it, were the Spanish as bad as the Dutch were

good? I will give it to the Dutch. They took it from Spain. You have do

own it. You can't go around and say you will beat Spain. They went out

there with no fear, and I was questioning at the beginning if they

would start the game, how they would be phased because it is a World Cup,

but they were not. You spoke about how tight the back four was before

the game, and the goalkeeper, I've never ever seen them pulled around

and apart. Were they unfortunate with the third goal? The goalkeeper

in the did? I think this is a foul -- the goalkeeper impeded? Anywhere

else in the world, the referee blows the whistle. Robben turns his back

on the ball, almost. I'm not certain Casillas is getting that ball. It

summed up his evening. He has had a nightmare today, but in fairness to

him there, in today's football, that is a foul. We saw this last night.

That wasn't a foul. No chance. At the end of the day, they put the

ball in the danger zone and they get their luck. Normally, nine times out

of ten, you get the free kick. He was unlucky not to be given that

want to night. Van Persie got the next one, his second of the evening.

We will show the first one first. A spectacular header just before

half-time. He didn't do a lot in the game in the first 45 minutes, but

that is the sign of a world-class striker. One chance, and the ball

must have travelled 50 or 60 yards, so he had time to weigh up the

situation. He knows where Casillas is. He knows he is off his line. But

knowing that and doing it, that is two different things. To do what he

did was brilliant. Such a difficult skill, on the run, at pace,

unbelievable and on this stage, to do that. That is Robben at his best.

Rio saw it in training every time. He can score some goals. He has that

all day. This short, he did in training, rallies like that. -- this

shop. I love that, head, pixies spot, hard as he can. -- picks his

spot. He didn't even get some fingertips on it. That sums up the

night, because it was all about desire. When he is in that zone, he

is difficult to stop. We mentioned before the game, was going to be the

arrogant Van Persie, the one with a bit of and swagger, a bit sharp, and

he answered it tonight. End of an era for Spain, and Casillas? De Gea

on the sideline? There were questions asked before the game in

the tournament, a lack of football from Casillas and may be that showed

in that performance today. I'm not trying to get somebody out of the

team, but David de Gea, if called upon, where the replacement. He

started the tournament four years ago and got beaten by Switzerland,

but the way they got beaten to night, you have to ask questions.

They conceded three goals in two tournaments before this, and they

have conceded five. Torque is through -- talk us through Robin's

goal. England, our nation, throughout the

land, history framed and hung on walls. Memories reminders of glory.

England are the world champions. They tried again but bowed out with

grace when faced with the greatest. Since then it has been far from

simple. A wilderness past. Celebration and hope extinguished by

villainy and genius. In equal measure.

You have to say that is magnificent! When the fires burned brightest,

belief. Gary Lineker! Ended in tears and despair. So close. Heartbreak.

England are out of the World Cup. When we lit a match, it faded.

Redemption gained in small doses. Calamity never far away. Deja vu.

Again. Not again. A familiar refrain. Surely that was it. Now a

new gallery of heroes carrying the hope and expectation of a nation to

hang on the walls. New memories and reminders of glory. Perhaps. England

versus Italy, live