Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas apologises for his “worst performance”

Iker Casillas, the Spain captain, has apologised for his sides’ “resounding failure” in crumbling to a 5-1 defeat to Netherlands in their opening World Cup game on Friday.

The defending champions, who took the lead through a first-half penalty, suffered a humiliating performance as Louis van Gaal’s side exacted revenge for their defeat in the final four years ago.

“The first thing I have to do is offer a mea culpa,” Casillas told The Guardian.

This is the worst performance of my career. We have to say sorry. Holland were very good, we were the complete opposite. Sometimes it’s good for things like this to happen so that you can react but we have to react now.”

It was Spain’s heaviest World Cup defeat in 64 years and there was no holding back when condemning the performance from the players. Xabi Alonso, who scored from the spot, described it as a “terrible blow” while Xavi admitted “We all played badly and we have to be self-critical to improve.”

Spain play Chile, who defeated Australia last night, next on Wednesday.

On the club front, much has been made of the the Spaniard’s current status in the Real Madrid squad, predominantly that of a cup ‘keeper. So much so, that numerous clubs have reportedly enquired as to Casillas’ availability, Premier League outfit Arsenal supposedly firmly among those.

During the Champions League 2013/14 competition, no goalkeeper kept more clean sheets than Iker Casillas.

Casillas kept six clean sheets in 13 Champions League appearances for Real Madrid.