Friday 13 June 2014

Spain could not react to rampant Netherlands, admits Iniesta

The Barcelona star was at a loss to explain the devastating scoreline but remains confident that he and his team-mates will recover to qualify from Group B

Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta admitted Spain were powerless to prevent a blistering Netherlands side ripping them apart to record a sensational 5-1 win in Friday's Group B opener.

The world champions took the lead on 27 minutes when Xabi Alonso converted from 12 yards after Stefan de Vrij had brought down Diego Costa, but a brilliant Robin van Persie header brought the Dutch level a minute before the break.

And Louis van Gaal's men promptly ran riot in the second half, with further goals from Van Persie, De Vrij and a double from Arjen Robben giving them sweet revenge for agonising defeat in the 2010 World Cup final.

After the match, Iniesta identified Van Persie's equaliser as the turning point, but insists Spain can recover.

"There is not much to say after a result like this," he told Telecinco. "We have to analyse what happened and think about the games we have left.

"Sometimes you can't stand a setback like the one we had in the first half. If we could reach half-time with a 1-0 lead would have left us untouched... in the end, those kind of details can decide a match.

"It was a tough game for us when they had the advantage on the result. It's a setback we didn't expect, but this is a World Cup and these things happen.

"We don't play to be praised or criticised. We tried to do our game, but we didn't know how to. If we win the two games left we will have options."

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