A disastrous start for defending champions Spain in this year’s World Cup, a 1-5 defeat against Holland leaving them facing an early exit from the competition. In a match between the two finalists from the previous World Cup in South Africa, Xabi Alonso put Del Bosque’s side ahead from the penalty spot after De Vrij tripped Diego Costa in the area midway through the first half. However strikes either side of half time by Van Persie and Robben turned the scoreline around, and a nervous Casillas and a shaky defence allowed De Vrij, Van Persie and Robben to add three more after that. Spain now have to win their last two games against Chile and Australia to have any realistic hope of reaching the knockout stage. (13.06.14)