Dutch humiliate Spain 5-1; Van Persie, Robben score two each

Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in their Group B clash on Friday, riding on two goals each from stars Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. The clash between the 2010 champions and runner-up proved one-sided as the Dutch pumped in four goals in the second half.

Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in their Group B clash on Friday, riding on two goals each from stars Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. The clash between the 2010 champions and runner-up proved one-sided as the Dutch pumped in four goals in the second half.

Spain gained the upper hand with a Xabi Alonso penalty, but a brilliant looping header from Robin van Persie brought Netherlands back level in the first half of their clash at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.

Minutes into the second half, a goal from Arjen Robben gave Netherlands the lead against the world champions.

A third scrambled goal from Stephan de Vrij and a second strike from van Persie gave Netherlands a 4-1 lead with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game. Robben struck again to sink the Spanish Armada.

The clash of the 2010 finalists lived up to its billing, as both the teams played an open game.

World Cup Group B: Spain vs Netherlands Live Coverage