Ruthless Dutch rip shell-shocked Spain to shreds

Robin van Persie of the Netherlands (front) celebrates with teammate Arjen Robben after scoring the team's fourth goal against Spain during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 13, 2014. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

SALVADOR Brazil (Reuters) - A rampant Netherlands team inflicted a heaviest World Cup defeat on holders Spain in over 60 years with a dazzling 5-1 demolition on Friday that sent shockwaves through the tournament.

The Dutch were nothing but brutal in a tetchy 1-0 final defeat by the Spaniards four years ago, but they set out to disrupt the champions' possession game and blew them away with two goals each from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.