Netherlands
revived bitter Spanish memories from last year's World Cup finals when they
beat a second-string La Roja 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday to become the first
team to inflict two defeats on coach Vicente del Bosque.
Rather
than reliving their World Cup final triumph against the Dutch from 2010, Spain
were overrun in the opening 20 minutes at the Amsterdam Arena, falling behind
to goals from Stefan de Vrij in the 13th minute and Davy Klaassen three minutes
later.
The
superiority of the home side recalled their 5-1 thrashing of the Spanish in the
group stage in Brazil last year, a defeat which signalled the end of Spain’s
glittering six-year run when they won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships
and the 2010 World Cup.
Del
Bosque, who had not lost twice to the same side since taking over in 2008, did
field a largely experimental lineup, with Malaga forward Juanmi and Sevilla
midfielder Vitolo making their international debuts.
However,
he will have been concerned that the presence of the likes of experienced
campaigners Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla in his midfield did not prevent
Netherlands from running away with the match in the early stages.
Spain
and Netherlands have both stuttered in qualifying for Euro 2016, the Dutch in
particular struggling at the halfway stage in Group A.
