Spain vs Netherlands live scores, results – 2014 World Cup Group Stage match

This massive game promises to be the showpiece of the evening, with two of the entire tournament?s top teams locking horns at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador. Spain are understandable favourites for this tournament, having won the last European Cup with a flourish. Both teams have their own unique system of football, only barely emulated by other football teams around the world, and even then poorly. Spain?s style is Tiki-Taka, a system in which players work the ball through different channels with short passes and good movement. It also encompasses and emphasizes possession, with players encouraged to relax and rest while on the ball.

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The Dutch style is called ?Totaalvoetbal? or in English ?Total Football?. This is a system in which any outfield player can take on the role of any other outfield player, meaning that no player is ever truly out of position. When one player vacates a position, another one slots in to take over. These two styles are two of the most powerful and effective in world football, which is why this evening?s clash promises to be a thoroughly entertaining one.

In Spain?s squad we can expect to see such wonderful talent as Torres, Iniesta, Villa, Ramos, Alonso and Mata, Tiki Taka masters all, and all of them with a dazzling array of domestic and international medals that would make make even the most kleptomaniacal magpie blush. The Oranje can also boast a star-studded line-up with Kuyt, van Persie, Robben, de Jong and Huntelaar stepping proudly forward.

The last world cup meeting between these two sides in the 2010 final was a highly physical affair, with 28 fouls and 14 yellow cards being handed out. Its hard to forget Nigel de Jong?s studs-up lunge towards the chest of Xabi Alonso, foremost among the thoughts of fans of both teams on that night. Indeed, Dutch fans could count themselves lucky that firstly he wasn?t immediately dismissed for malicious intent, and secondly that Alonso wasn?t badly hurt.

Hopefully though, tonight?s game won?t be as physical and will be more about the football. Spanish skill and inventiveness will be pitted against Dutch innovation and adaptation, in a truly unique football treat as two of the masters of the modern game, Vicente del Bosque and Louis van Gaal throw down. Following on from that, fans will also be hoping that the goals don?t take as long to start flowing as they did last time these two behemoths met, with the winning goal coming in the 117th minute, courtesy of a pass from Cesc Fabregas to Andres Iniesta, who then deftly slotted it home from short range to crown Spain champions of the world.

Spain still have a slight edge in this tournament though, having won their last three international tournaments back to back, this recent haul including two European Cups and one World Cup, which they are defending this year. Its also worth noting that Spain haven?t lost during their qualifying run up, winning four and drawing two matches, so confidence is pretty high among the World Cup favourites.

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