Holland thrashed Spain 5-1 in their opening World Cup game this evening, with our Robin van Persie scoring two of the goals.
Spain won the European Championship in 2012, the World Cup in 2010, and the Euros in 2008. They were on for their fourth major tournament trophy win in a row but their hopes will be massively dented following this evening’s game.
It also increases the likelihood of David de Gea getting some game time in the tournament, after Ilker Casillas was guilty of several howlers. Juan Mata might also get a go now too, given how ineffective Spain were up front and how few chances they created.
Louis van Gaal got his tactics spot on. Time and again the Dutch side attacked with confidence and speed. When you consider that Holland’s superstars are few and far between, and the Spanish team is littered with world class players, it’s a huge achievement for our new manager. When you then try and apply this logic to the Premier League and our current squad, it should fill us with confidence over what he may be capable of when he takes charge at United next season.
Of course, we can’t get too carried away, and it would actually suit us better if Holland didn’t succeed and Van Gaal was allowed to return to Manchester sooner rather than later. But it still is fantastic to see our new manager and probably next captain do so well in their opening game of the World Cup.
Ryan Giggs, who is working as a pundit on South African TV, gave his verdict on Van Gaal.
“What did you expect, he’s a Man United manager.”
