Netherlands 5-1 Spain: 2014 Flying Dutchmen End a Dynasty

# Netherlands 5-1 Spain: The Flying Dutchman and the End of a Dynasty

June 13, 2014. Salvador, Brazil. World Cup group stage. Spain vs Netherlands. A rematch of the 2010 World Cup final. The world was expecting another evenly matched showdown.

44th minute. Netherlands left-back Daley Blind sent a forty-yard long pass from near the halfway line. Robin van Persie, with his back to goal, stood at the edge of the penalty area—he didn't bring the ball down. He leaped, his body fully extended in the air like a fish thrown from the water, and headed the ball over Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. That goal became known as "The Flying Dutchman"—and when van Persie landed, his face showed not wild joy, but an expression that said, "I can't believe I just did that."

That goal wasn't just beautiful. It was the declaration of the end of Spain's golden generation. In the second half, Arjen Robben tore the Spanish defense to shreds with his pace, scoring two goals—on one of them, after rounding Casillas, he stopped the ball, rounded him again, and then shot. 5-1. Netherlands had their revenge. Spain's tiki-taka dynasty never returned after that match. Casillas—the legendary goalkeeper who had won the World Cup and two European Championships—stood in the center of the pitch after the game, looking ten years older.