Player ratings for world and European champions Spain as they started their defence of the World Cup with a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
When Xabi Alonso gave Spain a 1-0 lead against the Netherlands, it looked like the defending champions would start their 2014 World Cup campaign with a win.
However, goals from Stefan de Vrij and two each from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben meant that La Furia Roja lost the match 5-1.
Here are our player ratings for Spain.
Iker Casillas 5
Made a horrific mistake for Van Persie’s second goal and looked a shadow of his previous best. Perhaps Pepe Reina or David de Gea should replace him in the future.
Jordi Alba 5
Didn’t really do his job defensively and struggled to make his usual impact going forward.
Gerard Pique 5
Van Persie kept peeling off him – one of his worst performances for a while.
Sergio Ramos 5
Outpaced horrificly for the Netherlands’ fifth, couldn’t handle the pace and movement from the Dutch strikers.
Cesar Azpilicueta 5
The Chelsea full-back looked a shadow of his best in this season, struggled in his World Cup debut.
Sergio Busquets 5
Didn’t do his usual job in stopping the opposition’s counter-attacks, also involved in petulant fouls in the first half. Poor from the Barcelona man.
Xabi Alonso 6
Scored Spain’s goal but struggled in a midfield that was overrun by the Dutch midfield. Didn’t get his normal passing game going.
Xavi 5
Couldn’t control the tempo that we normally expect of the Spaniard. Without that, his weaknesses in pace and power was exploited.
Andres Iniesta 7
Spain’s best player. Looked like the only player who would unlock the Dutch defence and did just that with a superb pass to David SIlva in the first half.
David Silva 5
Missed a great chance in the first half when through on goal and it proved costly. Not the creativity we’ve come to expect from Silva in a Manchester City shirt.
Diego Costa 6
Made strong runs behind the Dutch defence in the first half and won the penalty. However, the striker, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer, faded away as the match wore on while being booed by the Brazilian fans in the stadium.
Subs:
Cesc Fabregas N/A
Pedro 5
Failed to make any impact on the match after coming on – the Barcelona midfielder will need to improve next time.
Fernando Torres 4
The Chelsea striker come on for Costa and missed a great chance late in the second half for a consolation goal. Still looks a shadow of his former self.
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