Clash of the Titans as Spain take on Netherlands in World Cup

Spain vs Netherlands will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final

In one of the mouth watering clashes of the first round, current champions Spain meet last time finalist Netherlands in a first round match which could set a course for the entire campaign to come. If the 2010 World Cup finals is anything to go by, this match would be anything but boring. 13 yellow cards, 1 red card & many contentios decisions by referee Howard Webb made the 2010 final one of the most ill tempered & feisty finals in decades gone by. In what is a first for a World Cup, the finalists from the last World Cup meet in the very first round of the competition, but the stakes could not be higher. With a Chile team consisting of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez breathing down their neck, the first game takes on even more importance.

There is a common belief that the current champions are past their prime and up against it to retain their title. With the supposed death of Tiki Taka proclaimed by the media world wide, the biggest question that Spain face is their ability to have a Plan B. In Diego Costa, Spain have one of the most feared strikers in the world in their arsenal. But being the most hated man in Brazil is not something that you can easily ignore.

Costa's decision to turn his back on his home country is sure to result in a chorus of loud jeers when he steps on to the pitch. Also there are doubts where Vicente Del Bosque would revert from his false 9 tactic and go ahead with a proper centre forward in the game. With a talented midfield consisting of Iniesta, Fabregas and Xavi, Spain have players who can keep the ball. Sergio Ramos will be key to a solid Spain defence keeping the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie out while Jordi Alba will be looking to burst forward every chance he gets.

Netherlands on the other hand have entered yet another competition with many questioning their team spirit. Reported arguments & infighting between their star player Robben & Bruno Martins Indi has raised question marks over the unity of the team & a sense of self implosion hanging in the air. Being the losers last time around, Netherlands must be aching for revenge over a Spain side which has lost their aura of invincibility & domination. There are doubts whether the untested defence can deal with the pressures of such an important game. But with Van Persie and Robben leading the charge, there is a sense that Netherlands may enter the match confident of getting a result again the current champions.

What will be interesting to see is how both teams deal with the intense heat in their late afternoon kick off. Spain play a tiring possession game which could come to haunt them in the last quarter of the match. This is when Netherlands will look to take advantage of a tired Spanish team. What both managers would want is to not go away from this game with a loss. Losing the first game would pile huge pressure on the team which can lead to nervousness in the long run.

I figure that Del Bosque and Louis Van Gaal would take a draw at the end of the day. But make no mistake, both teams will enter the game with the intention to take all three points & move a step closer to the knockouts.