Shell shocked Spanish press struggle to explain World Cup thrashing
Madrid-based sports paper 'Diario AS' sums up the feelings after the defeat in two words 'Total Write-off,' as Spain's disastrous second half display saw them capitulate to the side they beat to win the 2010 World Cup, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
"Van Persie and Robben destroy the Spanish defense," explains the paper, whose editors, Alfredo Relano's opinion column says the game was a "transfer of confidence from one side to another," in which Spain's lack of "speed energy and tactical deficit," were evident.
AS' fellow sports paper 'Marca' was no less distraught, but asks the players to "Sort this Out," expressing confidence that "we still believe!"
Spain goalkeeper and captain was the center of some of the criticism after one of his worst displays in a Spain shirt and Marca accepts it was the "Iker Casillas' worst day," although the online version of the paper leads with his apology for his performance in which he was off his line for the first Dutch goal and clearly at fault for the 3rd and 4th.
The Catalan sports papers Mundo Deportivo and Sport, always take a slightly different tone regarding the Spanish national team with Mundo Deportivo highlighting the defeat came on "Friday 13th," which obviously only brought bad luck for Spain.
The Dutch gave a "slap with the full hand," with each finger representing a goal against Spain, in an "absolute disaster of a Spain performance, starting with Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.
Diario Sport meanwhile of "Farce to start with." With Spain "living its worst nightmare."
The sentiments are echoed all over the national press with the right wing, 'La Razon' saying "Spain's castle was knocked down," and 'El Pais' describing the defeat as "A World Class Fiasco."
One thing they all have in common, however, is the believe that the Spanish can recover against Chile, although a big improvement is needed. But there is also a warning, Friday's defeat means even if they beat Chile, Spain will struggle to win their group and that could set them up for a last 16 clash against host Brazil. And after seeing the performance of the Japanese referee in Brazil's opening game, nobody wants that.