Netherlands wins 5 to 1 to Spain on their first game of the Soccer World Cup

Arjen Robben (Netherlands) in his way to make the 5th goal against Spain, defeats Sergio Ramos (Spain).

Arjen Robben (Netherlands) in his way to make the 5th goal against Spain, defeats Sergio Ramos (Spain).

Netherlands wins 5 to 1 to Spain

Arjen Robben (Netherlands) makes the 5th goal against Spain.

"This was the most painful defeat of my career," the Spain manager said.

Salvador, Brazil - by Gabriele Marcotti - For six years they dazzled and dominated. They made history by winning three major tournaments in a row. They reversed a tide of football history that was heading away from technique and creativity to power and athleticism. And they united -- at least in terms of sport -- a nation frayed by local allegiances, where clubs mattered more than La Roja.

And then Spain were flattened.

Van Gaal makes Del Bosque suffer

If Pablo Picasso had been at the Arena Fonte Nova to offer a visual rendition of the way Vicente del Bosque's troops looked after the 5-1 pounding at the hands of the Netherlands, it would likely not have been too dissimilar to his painting of Guernica.

"This was the most painful defeat of my career," the Spain manager said, stating the obvious, not least because he hasn't had too many. "I find it inexplicable. Initially we found space, we penetrated, with [Andres] Iniesta, [David] Silva and [Diego] Costa. But then everything changed when [Netherlands] scored."