Netherlands vs Spain Preview

Spain vs Netherlands

The marquee match up of the day, this championship game rematch is the most intriguing so far in the tournament. This game is at a different stage of the competition, but it still carries huge meaning. In a group with Chile and Australia, the loser of this game will have a tough road to qualifying for the next round.

Spain are the reigning World Cup champions. Their style of possession football makes it difficult for any team to beat them. It is a team with the same core that won the world cup in 2010 and the european championship in 2012. They are the #1 team in the world but they seem more vulnerable than they were in the last world cup. The nucleus of the team, Andres Iniesta and Xavi will be the ones orchestrating the offense of the Spanish squad. 

The Dutch will be looking for a little payback against Spain after their heartbreaking extra time defeat in the championship game, 4 years ago. The Netherlands squad has many of the same big name players who led the squad in 2010, but they will be missing the player who captained them during that run, Giovanni van Bronckhorst. This Dutch squad also as a large group of young players. It is very much a different team from the 2010 competition. After being criticized for the way they played in the final 4 years ago, look for the Dutch to play what they call "totaalvoetbal", a philosophy based on exciting and fluid football. The Netherlands carry the #15 ranking in the world into this world cup, after a disappointing european championship in 2012 in which they failed to win a game. The Dutch have the quality, with players like Robben, Van Persie, and Sneijder, to win the entire tournment, but they could just as easily get knocked out in the group stage. We don't know which Netherlands side will show up.

Players to Watch:

Spain

David Villa (Foward) - Villa has a knack for scoring for his national team, especially in World Cups. He has scored the most goals in the teams history and is a genius in front of the net. I don't know whether he will start the game, but if Spain need an offensive push, he is the guy they will bring on.

Andres Iniesta (Midfielder) - The scorer of the goal that won Spain the championship 4 years ago, Iniesta and his midfield partner, Xavi, will dictate the pace of the game. As one of the top 5 players in the world, Iniesta is a wizard with the ball and will pass the opposition to death.

Netherlands

Arjen Robben (Winger) - Robben is a quick footed player who loves to cut in on his favored left foot. He is the best player on the Dutch team and will look to create problems by running at the Spanish defense.

Robin Van Persie (Forward) - Van Persie is the danger man for this Dutch side. His left foot is absolutely lethal. If Spain gives him to much room around the penalty area, he'll make them pay for it. After a disappointing 2010 tournament he will look to prove he is one of the best strikers in the world.

Game Prediction:

Spain are going to pass the ball a hell of a lot.

Score Prediction:

Spain 2 Netherlands 2