SALVADOR, Brazil (AP) - The Netherlands thrashed the world champions 5-1 on Friday in the World Cup's first shocker, toying with an aging Spanish team that has dominated global football for the past six years and avenging a loss in the 2010 final.
Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signaled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments.
Dutch strikers Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice, including Van Persie's diving header off of an audacious 40-yard pass. The ball looped over hapless Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas as Van Persie slid on his stomach on the wet grass before running to the sidelines with his fists clenched to celebrate what is sure to be one of the goals of the tournament.
Defender Stefan de Vrij also scored - his first international goal - in a dominating second half that had the orange-clad Dutch fans in Arena Fonte Nova on their feet the whole time.
It was the worst loss for Spain in the game's showcase tournament since a 6-1 defeat to Brazil in 1950.
"This was a total disaster," Spain striker Fernando Torres said. "We need to focus on winning the next game."
The victory was particularly sweet for Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, who was criticized for his decision to play five defenders. He insisted the formation had attacking potential as well as nullifying Spain's fluent passing game.
It did. And then some.
Spain's ball-control offense usually has other teams frustratingly trying to gain possession. This time, the Dutch fans were roaring "Ole" as their team passed the ball around and Spain chased them.
Spain lost its first match four years ago on its way to the title, and it could salvage tournament hopes with wins against Chile and Australia. But finishing second in the group means facing the winner of Brazil's group in a knockout game.
Van Persie credited Van Gaal's tactics of defending hard and firing long passes to Robben and himself.
"We trained that way. And this is definitely down to him," the Manchester United striker said of the coach who will take over at his club next season. "If you see how he prepared us, and how he predicted the game would go, and you see how it went - unbelievable."
Van Gaal, in turn, highlighted his forwards' performances.
"With strikers like Van Persie, Robben and Sneijder behind them, things like this can happen," the coach said.
It all started so well for Spain, with Xabi Alonso converting a 27th minute penalty. But it went downhill fast after Van Persie tied the game with a header shortly before half time. He connected with a perfectly weighted long pass by Daley Blind.
Spain, which won the 2010 final thanks to an Andres Iniesta extra-time goal, had no answer once the Dutch went ahead and continually hit them on the break.
The final goal came after Robben weaved around Casillas - who was crawling on the grass in desperation - and fired into the untended net. His double was sweet revenge for Robben, who had a late chance saved by Casillas in the 2010 final and has struggled to live it down.