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Holland's Robin van Persie celebrates scoring by high-fiving manager Louis van Gaal. Credit: Reuters

Dutch stars Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben inspired Holland to a stunning, unthinkable 5-1 win over defending champions Spain in a thrilling encounter that will go down in World Cup history.

The Dutch avenged their defeat by the same opponents in the 2010 final in outrageous style, with four unanswered goals in an irresistible second half display in Salvador.

Van Persie and Robben scored two apiece, with each man's first a minor classic in its own right.
Defender Stefan de Vrij scored his side's third.

Vincent Del Bosque's side, who also lost their opener against Switzerland four years ago, had actually taken the lead through Xabi Alonso's disputed penalty, a lead they held until Van Persie's instinctive flying header levelled matters just before the break.

Read more on the ITV World Cup site