World Cup goes Dutch for a day

Netherlands' Stefan de Vrij, right, scores a goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Arena Ponte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014.  (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Netherlands' Stefan de Vrij, right, scores a goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Arena Ponte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Friday, June 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

SALVADOR, Brazil -- Four years ago in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Netherlands played an agonizing World Cup final in which it was unable to score in 120 minutes of play.

Even when Arjen Robben, that fiendish dribbling Dutch marksman, was in alone against Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas, he could not score.

So when the schedule for the 2014 World Cup was made, and the Netherlands found it would be playing against the Spanish again, fears of another long goalless drought resurfaced.

The Netherlands was unable to score for another 43 minutes in its rematch with Spain on Friday, but in the 44th minute the Dutch opened a long-awaited scoring onslaught that didn't end until they had stunned Spain with a 5-1 victory in the steamy, wet conditions at Arena Fonte Nova.

Certainly, the Dutch would have preferred this result to come four years ago in South Africa, but the victory was still as satisfying as it was emphatic. Spain had not allowed even four goals in a World Cup game since 1950.

"I don't believe in revenge," Robben said Thursday. "The 2010 game was a final, and this is a group match. There is no comparison."

Still, his smiles, victory slides after goals, and energetic style demonstrated how pleased he was.

For Spain, the defending World Cup champions and two-time European champions, the loss will reinforce speculation about the end of its record-setting dominance. However, the Spaniards also lost their opening match to Switzerland in the group stage in South Africa four years ago.

Spain scored first Friday on a Xabi Alonso penalty, but in the 44th minute Robin van Persie scored the first of his two goals on a brilliant soft header over Casillas' head. Robben also scored twice and Stefan DeVrij scored on a header off a direct kick.

Just a minute before halftime, and only seconds after Spain missed an opportunity to add to its lead, Van Persie scored the most impressive goal of the first three games of the tournament.

Daley Blind, the Ajax defender, struck a deep ball about 40 yards in the air from the left flank. Van Persie, on side, stepped in behind the Spanish defenders about one stride into the 18-yard box. He could see Casillas coming out toward him, and he made an astute calculation.

Casillas was far enough out that the best way to beat him was not to head the ball down, as players are taught on most crosses in front of goal, but to flick it softly over the stunned goalie. Casillas didn't even put up his hands. The ball settled into the back of the net and Van Persie sprinted back to the Netherlands bench, where he gave Coach Louis van Gaal an emphatic high-five, as the Dutch tied it 1-1.

Just moments before, Andres Inesta slotted a perfect through pass to David Silva, who tried to chip the ball over the head of the Dutch goalkeeper, Jasper Cillessen. But Cillessen got his fingertips to the ball and deflected it away to safety.

At the center of the play was Diego Costa, the center forward who was born in Legarto, Brazil, not far from Salvador. But he chose to play internationally for Spain, and for that he was booed by the local fans, who added some obscene disparaging chants.

MEXICO 1, CAMEROON 0

NATAL, Brazil -- Mexico overcame the torrential rain and two disallowed goals to beat Cameroon, picking up the three points it needed to have any chance of advancing from a tough group at the World Cup.

Oribe Peralta scored in the 61st minute, giving Mexico its first victory over an African team at the World Cup and justifying Coach Miguel Herrera's decision to start him ahead of striker Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, one of the country's best known player.

He broke the deadlock just as thousands of Mexican fans were cheering for Hernandez to come into the game, swooping in with his left foot after Cameroon goalkeeper Charles Itandje parried Giovanni Dos Santos' attempt from the edge of the area.

Dos Santos twice put the ball in the net in the first half-hour, only to have both efforts called back. He was ruled offside in the 11th minute and his header from a corner in the 29th was denied when referee Wilmar Roldan apparently called a foul in front of Itandje.

CHILE 3, AUSTRALIA 1

CUIABA, Brazil -- Alexis Sanchez produced a dynamic performance to lead Chile to a victory over Australia, scoring one goal and setting up another for one of the dangerous outsiders in the tournament.

Chile threatened to run away with the game in muggy Cuiaba when Sanchez poked home from close range in the 12th minute, before setting up Jorge Valdivia barely a minute later for the playmaker to finish from the edge of the area.

But Australia recovered well, responding with a headed goal by forward Tim Cahill in the 35th and giving the Chileans a string of scares in the second half. However, Jean Beausejour put away the game for Chile in injury time to help the South Americans level on three points in Group B with the Netherlands.

Boasting its best ever squad for a World Cup, Chile has been strongly tipped by many -- including Pele -- to go far in Brazil despite being thrown in the same group as two of Europe's top teams.

And the Spanish, ripped apart by the Dutch in Salvador, will not be relishing playing Chile in their next game Wednesday, with the holders' title defense on the line.

Sports on 06/14/2014

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