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Breakfast at Bebeto’s: All you need to know from the second night of World Cup action

There were almost as many offside goals on Friday as images of Iker Casillas picking the ball out of the Spanish net.

Brazil Soccer WCup Spain Netherlands Robin van Persie celebrates after making it 4-1 against Spain. Wong Maye-E Wong Maye-E

On Day 2

HOLLAND GAINED A satisfactory measure of revenge on Spain for their 2010 World Cup final loss by handing Vicente del Bosque’s men a 5-1 thrashing. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie were unstoppable as Oranje humiliated the reigning champions. It was a result few expected after 22 minutes when Diego Costa earned Spain a questionable penalty that Xabi Alonso converted. Van Persie, who netted twice, declared, “I don’t want us to be too excited, this is just one game and three points. We have to stick together and we have to improve.”

The day started with Mexico eventually scoring a legitimate goal through Oribe Peralta, in rain-soaked Natal, to beat Cameroon 1-0. Miguel Herrara’s side were denied two first-half goals as Giovani Dos Santos was called offside twice [once incorrectly]. Eric Choupo-Moting also had one chalked off for Cameroon who earned little bonus money from their sagging display.

In Pool B’s other game, Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez scored Chile’s opener and teed up Jorge Valdivia for a second before Tim Cahill’s towering header reduced the deficit before half-time. The Socceroos pushed hard after the break but a Jean Beausejour goal made the game safe at 3-1 near the death.

Winner

Arjen Robben – The Dutch midfielder missed a one-on-one, which was saved by Iker Casillas, in the 2010 final against Spain. On Friday night, he was lethal. His first goal was Denis Bergkamp-esque and he left at least four Spaniards red-faced with his second, Holland’s fifth.

Brazil Soccer WCup Spain Netherlands Robben celebrates with Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder after scoring his sides fifth goal. Manu Fernandez Manu Fernandez

Loser

Vicente del Bosque – Hailed for the crisp, cutting football that delivered two major trophies in two years, the Spanish manager needs to rally his wounded troops in order to keep their title reign alive after the group stages. “This has been the most painful defeat of my whole career,” he admitted to Spanish radio station Carrusel post-match.

Brazil Soccer WCup Spain Netherlands Manu Fernandez Manu Fernandez

Joga Bonito

Van Persie’s first goal saw the Dutchman (now with added orange cape) back to his crafty, daring best.
https://vine.co/v/Mj33tT016zl

What have we got to look forward to today?

  • Colombia attempt to break down a stubborn Greek defence without the help of injured goal-getter Radamel Falcao at 5pm.
  • Luis Suarez rests up at 8pm as his Uruguay teammates try to see off Costa Rica.
  • England get their World Cup underway at 11pm by taking on Italy in Manaus.
  • Ivory Coast play Japan in the early hours of Sunday morning [2am].

Dutch gold as Van Persie and the Netherlands rout Spain

Peralta strikes as Mexico outclass sorry Cameroon

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