Spain in danger after ‘catastrophe’
Print Edition
WITH one disastrous result, Spain’s World Cup campaign and overall soccer identity is suddenly facing a crisis.
A 5-1 loss to the Netherlands on Friday in Salvador, Brazil, to open Group B left many wondering whether the team that has dominated the sport since 2008 has finally lost its edge — and whether its core philosophy can still remain the same.
Spain also lost its first game at the 2010 World Cup, but that was a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland in a match it dominated. This time it was humiliated, and the loss may have dealt a psychological blow that coach Vicente del Bosque only has five days to address before a must-win match against Chile in Group B.
Spanish newspapers yesterday bemoaned the “humiliation” and “catastrophe” of the loss.
Most papers splashed on their front pages a photo of Spain’s goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas kneeling with head bowed as Dutch players celebrated after ripping apart the Spanish defense.
Leading Madrid sports daily Marca mourned “a historic catastrophe,” dubbing the Netherlands’ performance “a goal-scoring spree of Biblical proportions.”
Del Bosque also has plenty of other questions to address: Does he stick with the core group of players that have led the team to unparalleled success over the past six years? Or does he need to give the nation’s famed “tiki-taka” system a revamp?
“Normally if you beat Spain it’s 1-0,” Netherlands defender Bruno Martins Indi said. “Five-one is not normal because they are amazing players, with a very good head coach.”
Spain’s midfield of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, and David Silva faded badly over the second half. Casillas’ mistakes cost Spain at least a pair of goals, while defenders Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos were guilty of errors on the others.
Spain, famous for a defense that has been steadfast in leading it to consecutive European Championships along with its World Cup win in South Africa, was in disbelief after its worst competitive defeat in 64 years.
Robin van Persie scored one of the greatest World Cup goals ever, which generated 183,076 tweets in just one minute, to level the game at 1-1 and claimed the Netherlands could have scored eight.
The Dutch captain escaped his marker Sergio Ramos and hurled himself at a long pass from Daley Blind just before half-time seeing his header loop over Casillas.
“For the whole of the Netherlands, this is a dream come true,” the 30-year-old striker said, adding it was one of his best strikes. “I look at the occasion, and this was one of the biggest occasions, and it was a brilliant goal.”
Van Persie chipped in another while the equally sensation Arjen Robben also scored two and defender Stefan de Vrij added one.
Meanwhile, Spain will be searching for answers.
“We have to be a team, that’s what made us world champions and two-time European champions and that’s what we need to remain,” Spanish striker Fernando Torres said.
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