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FIFA World Cup: Holland defeats defending champs Spain 5-1

18:14 | Lima, Jun. 13.

In Friday’s 2014 World Cup match-ups, Mexico defeated Cameroon 1-0, and Netherlands routed Spain, the tournament's defending champions, 5 to 1, while the Chile-Australia match is taking place. After Brazil and Croatia played the kick off match of the tournament on Thursday, the second day of the FIFA World Cup show began with the clash between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal.

In a pivotal game for both sides, Mexico overcame the torrential rain and two disallowed first-half goals to beat Cameroon 1-0, picking up the three points it needed to have any chance of advancing from a tough group at the World Cup.

Peralta scores in the 61st minute, giving "El Tri" their first win over an African team in this tournament. The rainy conditions did not dampen the spirits of thousands of Mexico fans.

Mexico will now face host nation Brazil on June 17 in Fortaleza, while Cameroon will travel to Manaus to play Croatia on June 18.

In another high-profile match, the Neatherlands smashed 2010 World Champions Spain 5-1 at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, marking the start of Group B.

Spain took the lead with Xabi Alonso slotting home a 27th-minute penalty which was won by Diego Costa. Robin van Persie equalised with a brilliant header just before half time, still no-one envisaged what it could lead to. 

The second half gave birth to a tremendous Dutch performance that bore fruit when Arjen Robben controlled a long ball and turned Gerard Pique to score in the 53rd minute. There was a contentious third when Van Persie appeared to impede Iker Casillas, allowing Stefan de Vrij to score. 

Following, Casillas himself came a cropper soon after that when his poor control gifted a goal to Van Persie. There was still time for the rampant Robben to burst clear, evading goalkeeper and defenders to bury the fifth with aplomb

Meanwhile, highly rated Chile is facing Australia, ranked by FIFA as the 62nd-best team in the world, at the Arena Pantanal stadium in Cuiabá. The Socceroos holds the lowest standing of the 32 teams which earned a slot.

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Published: 6/13/2014