I was driving and didn't see the game but I'll stick my neck out and say Casillas should not have been selected. Just as Ashley Cole was not selected. Just as Júlio César should not have been selected.

No match practice.

Spain could do with implementing some of the younger and hungrier Atletico players to revitalise this team.

Spain could still win the group quite conceivably.
Two wins in their next two games would do it Holland draw and lose their next two games.
Spain would then finish above any other team with 6 points because they would have the better head to head record.

Australia, by all accounts are quite weak. But they could try and park the bus against Holland and hold out for a draw. It's happened plenty of times in previous World Cup group games.

I can't imagine any defending champions have been outclassed in such fashion. The obvious example that springs to mind is France's epic choke in 2002 but even then they only lost 1-0 to Senegal in their opening game.

Whatever happens, as long as Spain manage more than 1 point I think they can say they've done better than France did.

Errrrr final of Copacabana cup Brazil 3 Spain 0

Van Persie was booked wasn't he, reckon they might leave him out against Australia

What on earth happened there?! The Netherlands played incredible football! The total football that Cruyff played in '74! And what happened to Robben?! How did he get better with age?!

Yeah, he hacked down Pedro.

I think Australia could be difficult for the Dutch. Holland were brilliant tonight on the counter attack but I reckon Australia will be well organised and obviously won't be as open as Spain so they could frustrate them and get a point.

That would all have to slot into place quite carefully - Holland, Chile and Australia would all have to draw/lose with each other quite randomly rather than any consistent loser. You'd need (for example) Holland to draw with Australia but beat Chile, Chile to beat Australia but lost to Holland, and Australia to manage a draw against Holland but not against Chile (VERY unlikely).

So a very fortunate scenario - meanwhile, all Holland has to do is beat Australia to finish above Spain.

In about twenty-five games since Euro 12 Spain have lost precisely 2. And I think they have won 19 and drawn the other four. Holland beating Spain is not a total shock (the Dutch were only 3/1 to win) but the manner of the defeat was.

I think you'll find it wasn't the "Copacabana cup" either. Full marks for getting in the spirit of things though...

Mark Lawrenson was the highlight of the entire show IMO

No.
If Spain beat Chile and Australia, they would then finish above them regardless of how they fared against each other and Holland .
Spain would have a better head to head record against them, because they beat them both

They've also scored a goal so they're part of the way there.
(France was 0-1, 0-0 and 0-2 iirc)

Not if Chile and Holland also win two games (could happen, both beating Australia and then Chile losing to Spain, and Holland losing to Chile) - then it would come down to goal difference (wouldn't it? If it's three ways?) which is not in Spain's favour....

Awesome game, I found it difficult to choose who to cheer on as I like both teams, but Holland made it easy for me

Agree. Pick a bald guy...we can keep going all night

Note; Is the new king of Spain now to be known as Felipe V-I??

I think that's true. People appear to forget that Spain looked comfortable for most of the first half, they had nearly 70% possession. But Spain were far too complacent, it looked as if they believed the pre-match hype and only needed to turn up to win.
The fabulous equaliser just before half time shook them up and suddenly they had a real game on their hands. Trying to play "Barcelona style" with Diego Costa wasn't working, he had spent the entire season playing a totally different style of game with Atletico.
Robben started really turning it on and they had no answer. Ramos and Piqué were clueless, and the whole team looked a yard slower than the Netherlands. They looked totally shell-shocked by the time the final whistle blew.
But it is only one game, and teams don't become bad overnight. The problem is, Chile was always going to be a tough game, now it's become even tougher.

How pissed off is Cruyff?!

It was truly wonderous seeing all the Spanish players and fans in utter despair. Fantastic night's viewing.

It goes on goal difference and goals scored before head to head.
From the FIFA rules http://resources.fifa.com/mm/documen..._e_neutral.pdf

6. In the league format, the ranking in each group is determined as follows: a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings shall be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;

Seems to me that their best bet would be to drop Costa as, like you say, he just doesn't suit their style. He's not known for his ability to link up with those around him or retain possession well. He's essentially a battering ram you give the ball to and just let him run at defenders. Great for counter attacking, not so much for tiki taka. Villa, Fabregas and even Torres understand what they're about and would surely be better options.

I think Spain will do ok. Everyone was writing them off after their poor Euro 2012 semi (and lacklustre earlier games) when they struggled to beat Portugal on penalties. Italy had surprised everyone by beating a good German side in their semi. But in the final Spain looked superior again and took Italy apart.

Also we've seen the Dutch look magnificent in group games before then crashing out in the knockout round. They can peak too early.

Should have been 5-0 .

That penalty decision was very unfair on the Dutch player .

what I thought was interesting was the pace that Holland showed,. Several of the goals came very quickly from deep positions.

sort of tactic that might help England, if they go with the young guys. Maybe Italy are a harder defence than spain, but I can't see how England can play through a good defence

I have to say that honour for me goes to Zidane. He used to run games single handed. France Portugal 2000 Euros semi was unbelievable - although it ended in an awful mess. Having said that, despite all his efforts Italy stopped him playing in the final. Maybe that was the start of his frustration with Italy!

here's a few minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3pZRuMaacI