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SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Arjen Robben

ArjenRobbenNetherlands1-Spain2014WorldCup (AP)

By RYAN TOLMICH

They say success is the best revenge, but even the most passionate of Netherlands supporters couldn’t have predicted the success their team would experience in Friday’s rematch with Spain.

The Dutch absolutely steamrolled the reigning world champions, battering their 2010 World Cup rivals by a lopsided scoreline of 5-1. Dutch superstars Robin van Perise and Arjen Robben each bagged braces for the 2010 runner-ups, but it was the manner in which Robben dismantled the Spanish defenses that left the biggest impression.

Robben opened his account early in the second half by undressing Spain’s Gerard Pique before teeing the ball up with his widely-recognized left foot. Robben’s second made the Spanish defense look even more hopeless than his opener, as the Bayern Munich star toyed with Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas before unleashing into the net’s upper righthand corner.

Robben’s destruction of the Spain defense was enough to earn him SBI World Cup Man of the Match honors, beating out teammates van Perise and Daley Blind, who picked up two assists in the Dutch rout.

What did you think of Robben’s performance? Who stood out the most to you in the Netherlands’ thrashing of Spain?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Robben had an excellent match and Van Persie’s headed goal was a thing of beauty, but I’ll take Daley Blind as my Man of the Match; he was brilliant.

    Reply
      • Blind is the son of another great Dutch back, Danny Blind, who won everything under the sun as a club player and is now a respected youth developer and coach. Junior is really emerging as a top player lately. As a 24 year old playing for Ajax, he’s highly likely to be moving to a European power shortly– I’m sure the check for his services went up considerably today.

  2. Some sweet stuff from the Dutch. Robben’s long-ball bring-down reminded me of Dennis Bergcamp’s goal vs Argentina (98?)…

    Reply
  3. RVP’s goal in slow motion is just poetry. Lovely understanding that Casillas would be off his line expecting RVP to try to bring it down.

    Does Spain bench Iker for game 2? (Not because of that goal but he was otherwise awful.

    Reply

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