Ramos demands response from Spain
Spain defender Sergio Ramos has implored his team-mates to show all their champion qualities after a harrowing start to their World Cup defence.
The World and European champions were torn apart as they crashed 5-1 to rampant Holland in a remarkable Group B encounter in Salvador. Spain had arrived in Brazil again among the tournament favourites while Holland were thought to be facing a tough fight to reach the knockout stages from a group that also includes Chile.
The result at the Arena Fonte Nova sent shockwaves around the footballing world and Ramos knows Spain, who face Chile in Rio on Wednesday, must respond.
The 28-year-old Real Madrid centre-back told FIFA.com: "This team has experience and has been through some bad times. It’s been able to come back from setbacks like this and that’s what makes it great."
"We can’t sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We need to start thinking right now about beating Chile."
One of the setbacks suffered by Spain, who have won their last three major tournaments, was a defeat by Switzerland in their first game at the 2010 World Cup.
With Chile beating Australia in their first game, the pressure is now on Spain once again and Fernando Torres accepts there is little room for error.
The Chelsea striker said: “It’s pretty clear that the situation is a whole lot trickier after this defeat.
“You have to win and your opponents know you have to win. You can’t even afford to draw and they’ll try to make the most of any anxiety we might be feeling.”
Spain capitulated alarmingly as they conceded four goals in the second half.
It seemed business as usual as Xabi Alonso put them ahead with a 27th-minute penalty, but Robin van Persie levelled with a sublime header before the interval. The Dutch then found another gear as the exhilarating Arjen Robben put them ahead after 53 minutes and Stefan de Vrij forced in a third.
Van Persie robbed Spain goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas to claim the fourth and Robben wrapped up the scoring with a superb solo effort.
The performances of Casillas and forward Diego Costa may be a cause for concern for manager Vicente del Bosque. Casillas looked rusty after a season of limited action at Real Madrid while Atletico Madrid’s Costa, injured prior to last month’s Champions League final, cut a frustrated figure.
Costa did win the penalty for Spain’s goal, but replays suggested he may have initiated the contact.
The Brazilian-born forward had little other joy and escaped punishment for what appeared an attempted headbutt on Bruno Martins Indi.
Ramos knows the team, having begun with such high expectations, let themselves down.
He said: “Our mindset was negative from the moment we fell behind.
“You start thinking things you shouldn’t and that was reflected in the final scoreline.”
