Spain-Netherlands: A rematch not for the ages, but for supremacy

MANILA, Philippines – The last two World Cup matches weren’t exactly shining examples of the beautiful game. The finals in South Africa was a foul fest and as much as Spain showed the world their prowess, they didn’t score too many goals. The last one that bridges South Africa to the 2014 edition featured Brazil, a team noted for its flair and love of the game. However, the controversial penalty call put a damper on their Opening Day 3-1 win over Croatia. And maybe football fans and even FIFA officials are hoping that Day Two’s matches – Group A’s Mexico versus Cameroon and Group B’s Spain versus the Netherlands will provide the kind of spectacle the event craves.

There was a time when the Netherlands and Spain were shining examples of countries that produced terrific football talent but underachieved on the biggest stage. Spain, of course, has since dashed that notion, winning four of five major international tournaments heading to Brazil – the European championship of 2008, the Confederations Cup of 2009, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

It is easy to point out that they are massive favorites to continue their incredible run just as it is conversely easy to say that tiki taka is dead and Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands are the heirs to the throne.

Their rematch of the 2010 finalists will be played at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, the site of Portugal’s first capital when they colonized Brazil.

Both squads have played each other exactly nine times. Each country has four wins apiece with the odd match ending in a draw. This match-up is more than a tiebreaker, it means that the winner could possibly end atop the Group B standings and avoid an early clash with Brazil in the knockout rounds.

Spain has a more versatile squad in this World Cup. The addition of the naturalized Diego Costa (who eschewed his Brazilian citizenship for Spain’s) will add more firepower and choices to Vicente del Bosque’s strike force that already includes Jordi Alba, Cesc Fabregas, Fernando Torres and David Silva.

Now you mix that with tiki taka, big-game experience, and some of the top footballers who are at the top of their game then it’s hard not to like them or to pencil them in as world champs.

The Netherlands is looking to make a statement in beating Spain. A win and their ascendancy is almost assured.

But that isn’t going to be easy. Although it is a younger squad that Louis Van Gaal has brought to Brazil, it is no less talented or tenacious. And perhaps even better, none of the issues of their implosion in Euro 2012.

If Robin Van Persie plays well (he was battling all sorts on niggling injures in England the past season), the Oranje will be a tough draw. He’s got the talented and creative duo of Jermaine Lens and Arjen Robben, who with his on ball wizardry could inspire this team like Zinedine Zidane did for France in 2006 in Germany – that is if he is still fit after a long season with Bayern Munich.

Van Gaal is noted for urging his team to be creative. After all, it is the Ajax system that he runs and it is the Ajax system that begat Barcelona football, which is the foundation for La Furia Roja. Maybe this time the progenitor will show who’s the master.

Spain would like to answer questions about its 0-3 loss to Brazil in last year’s Confederations Cup Finals. The Netherlands is hungry.

If the Dutch can dictate the pace and Robben has his run of the field, they will win this game. But if Spain continues to frustrate the Netherlands with its possession game, they’ll pull out another one-goal win.