”This game should be over. Spain are trying to walk the ball in.” The ominous words of Mark Lawrenson, co-commentating for the BBC, towards the end of the first half. Xabi Alonso had put the world champions 1-0 up. Diego Costa wasted a couple of good looks at goal. Andres Iniesta came close. David Silva tried to square the ball instead of slotting home an easy chance.
Then, after Holland had received their second booking (Stefan de Vrij following Jonathan de Guzman into the book), Iniesta’s no-look pass sent Silva clean through. The Manchester City playmaker could have slid it home; he could have slipped Costa an open goal. Instead, he attempted a chip best saved for showboating on the training ground.
Within 90 seconds, Robin van Persie had equalised with that 44th-minute header at the other end. Only one team came out for the second half as Spain, so dominant in the first, were trounced 5-1