Australia - Holland

On form Holland lined up against lowly Australia. Many expecting a heavy defeat for the men from down under, especially after the drubbing Spain received from the Dutch.

Holland took an early lead. Robben, who had been magnificent against Spain, opened the scoring. The Bayern Munich attacker picked the ball up on the half way line and sped his way into the Australian box. His low, hard left footed drive nestled nicely into the Aussies net past the helpless Ryan. It would be the opening of the floodgates, though many people. But they were wrong.

Immediately after, Australia pegged the Dutch back. Tim Cahill scored his second of the tournament, and he won’t score a better. Comparisons were made to that famous goal by Dutch legend Marco Van Basten. A long ball over the head of de Vrij, found Cahill, who first time on the volley, with his weaker, left foot smashed it off the bar and in, past the flailing Cillessen. Easily goal of the tournament, so far.

Cahill strikes against Holland to equalise

A short time later, Cahill received a booking that rules the talismanic Aussie out of their final group game against Spain. Van Persie joined him in the book, and he too will miss Holland’s final game, against South Americans, Chile.

The Socceroos fought on. Bresciano and Spiranovic missed good opportunities to take the lead before Leckie had a goal disallowed for a foul on Daley Blind.

Australia continued piling forward and it finally paid off. Substitute Bozanic’s cross came off the hand of Daryl Janmaat who was unlucky to see the incident awarded as a penalty. Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace put the ball in the net from 12 yards.

Like the Dutch lead, Australia’s lead didn't last long either. Van Persie, not to be outdone on the scoring charts by compatriot Robben, found himself in space in the box and leathered the ball into the roof of Ryan’s net to equalise. The Dutch upped the tempo, but Australia continued to get forward looking for a win.

It was Memphis Depay that found the breakthrough though. His long range strike bounced awkwardly in front of Aussie ‘keeper Ryan and slipped through his hands into the goal. Australia found themselves behind.

There was still plenty of time for another goal, but neither team were able to make the breakthrough. The Dutch couldn't increase their lead, nor could Australia find the equaliser.

A stern, noble effort from Australia who can be pleased with their performance in this game. It would take something of a miracle for Australia to progress mpw.

 Australia 2 – 3 Holland 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram

Spain - Holland

Next up, the holding champions, Spain, faced the boys in Orange, Holland. Few people gave Holland a chance, their young squad doesn’t possess the great quality known by the Dutch teams of the past, no Van Nistelrooy, Seedorf, Jaap Stam, Bergkamp or Van der Sarr. Instead they start Ron Vlaar of Aston Villa, and Swansea’s De Guzman. Meanwhile Manchester United fans eagerly waited to see what Van Gaal could do.

Spain started off well, as expected. Free-flowing tika-taka football at it’s finest. The battering ram, Diego Costa started up top for the Spanish, and he was involved in the first goal. Xavi slid a neat through ball in behind the defence to Costa who shimmied and turned the onrushing Dutch defender, de Vrij, who caught the attacker and brought him down for a penalty. Xabi Alonso, and his glorious beard stepped up to the spot kick and smashed it home. The spectators assumed that was it, that Spain would win this easily now.

And when David Silva broke through, one on one with Ajax keeper Cillessen, it would be hard to think of anything other than a goal would occur, but Silva tried a cheeky trademark chip only to have it easily collected by the keeper. At this stage the Dutch were beginning to find their feet, or clogs… Could that miss be costly?

Yes, it could. Within a few minutes the Dutch equalised. A long cross field pass found the prolific Van Persie who flopped a looping header over the on rushing Iker Casillas from just inside the box. A magnificent goal. Man united fans will have been delighted to see their man score, and more delighted to see his rapport with Van Gaal, albeit via the worst high five in history.

The Flying Dutchman, Robin Van Persie equalises for Holland

Spain would up the ante after the break surely and the Dutch would be defeated as expected. But they didn't read the script. The dutch defence held strong, Vlaar proving me wrong and kept Costa quiet. Blind dispossessed Xavi and played a long ball and picked out Robben, who turned Ramos and smashed home to put Holland ahead. And it wouldn't end there.

Sneijder whipped in a free kick to the back post and the victim became the hero as de Vrij made the score 3 – 1. Although it is argued that it should have been ruled out for a foul on Spanish captain Casillas. It was more of a foul than the one that seen Croatia’s ruled out on the opening day.

The most capped player at this world cup, Iker Casillas made a huge mistake, another high profile mistake following his error at the Champions League final. Sergio Ramos laid an innocent back-pass to the goalkeeper who took a very heavy touch which saw it roll toward the pressing Van Persie who nicked it away from the Spanish keeper and passed his second, and Holland’s fourth into the empty net.

Holland weren’t done. They craved blood, a team clearly seeking revenge for their World Cup Final defeat in South Africa against the same opponents four years ago.  Robben picked the ball up at the half way line and burst passed Ramos leaving him in his wake, before turning Casillas and left him scrambling before cooly slotting it home. Five – one. An absolute hammering and a master class from Van Gaal. If you listened closely you could hear the red half of Manchester growling in anticipation of what this man could bring to them.

An obligatory open-goal miss from only a few yards out by Fernando Torres finished proceedings and the Dutch skipped off delighted with their performance whilst the Spanish slumped away to begin an inquisition.

Probably the best game of the World Cup, so far, and certainly the biggest shock so far.

 Holland 5 – 1 Spain 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram