Luis Van Gaal

Number Cruncher: Incredible stats from Netherlands vs Spain

The Netherlands have won the last four World Cup games in which they conceded a penalty.

Just one bad day: 3 things Spain need to do to get over Dutch loss

If Spain want to make sure they pose a strong defence of their title, then they quickly need to make some changes and bounce back.

WC 2014: Netherlands hammer, humble, humiliate Spain 5-1

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both scored twice and defender Stefan de Vrij grabbed his first international goal in a humiliating defeat for a Spain team that has won its last three major tournaments.

ESP vs NED in tweets: 'First match on grass is difficult for every Spaniard'

It was the worst loss for Spain in the game's showcase tournament since a 6-1 defeat to Brazil in 1950.

World Cup photos: Netherlands rout Spain 5-1

Netherlands thrashed Spain 5-1 Friday, toying with the defending champions in the second half and gaining a measure of revenge for its 2010 loss in the World Cup final.

Netherlands can improve on Spain rout, says manager Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal believes his Netherlands side can still improve on their historic 5-1 drubbing of Spain in their World Cup opener on Friday.

Robin van Persie hails 'incredible' Dutch win

Robin van Persie was wrong-footed by the scale of the Netherlands' 5-1 drubbing of Spain in their opening World Cup match on Friday as he collected his man-of-the-match award.

Loss to Dutch hardest of my career, says Spain's Xavi

The 34-year-old Xavi says "this is the hardest loss of my career. It was a terrible match, a debacle. We did everything wrong."

Spain vs Netherlands star man: What a bit of love can do to RVP

After Spain had scored, Van Gaal slightly tweaked the positions of Robben and RVP — allowing the two to roam forward with instructions to play direct long-balls in their paths.