Spain-Netherlands Preview: Dutch bid to avenge 2010 final defeat

The Roja boss has a predictable wealth of talent to choose from but faces a dilemma over whether to play a false nine or trust that Diego Costa has fully recovered

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has a striking dilemma ahead of Friday's Group B showdown with Netherlands in Salvador.

Diego Costa has declared himself “fully fit” for what is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final, having seen his participation in the climax of Atletico Madrid's season repeatedly interrupted by a hamstring problem.

However, although the Brazil-born forward has long been touted as the answer to Spain's lengthy search for a reliable goalscorer, Costa could be left on the bench against the Dutch, given Del Bosque's propensity for playing with a 'false nine' against a five-man defence.

Consequently, Cesc Fabregas, despite doubts over both his form and his Barcelona future, could once again start up front, just as he did during Euro 2012.

Del Bosque, though, also has the option of fielding either Euro 2008 final hero Fernando Torres or Spain's all-time record goalscorer David Villa, both of whom have impressed in recent friendlies.

Spain also have a decision to make at the back. Gerard Pique has long been a first-choice central defender, but the indications are that the versatile Javi Martinez will be given the nod alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of La Roja's defence, with Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back.

As for Netherlands, Jonathan de Guzman's hamstring problems look set to result in Jordy Clasie being paired with Nigel de Jong at the base of midfield.

Indeed, although the 2010 runners-up played 4-3-3 during their qualification campaign, coach Louis van Gaal has employed a more defensively minded 5-3-2 formation since losing dynamic midfielder Kevin Strootman to injury against France in March.

Consequently, Ron Vlaar is set to be joined by Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi in a three-man central defence, with Daryl Janmaat and Daley Blind acting as wing-backs.

Opta Facts

• This is the first time the two World Cup finalists have met in the tournament directly after contesting the final since 1990, when West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 in the final (after meeting each other in 1986).
• La Roja lost their opening game of the 2010 World Cup to Switzerland, but went on to become the first team to ever win the tournament having lost their first game.
• Vicente Del Bosque has only lost one of his 25 World Cup games as Spain head-coach, including qualifiers (W22 D2). That was against Switzerland (0-1) in 2010.
• David Villa - Spain's top scorer at World Cup Finals (eight goals) - has been directly involved in seven of Spain's last nine goals in the tournament (six goals, one assist).
• Spain have won their last six World Cup games, their best ever run in the tournament. Their last four games have ended in 1-0 wins.
• Spain have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four World Cup games, the longest current run. Indeed only Italy (five games in 1990) and Switzerland (five in 2006 & 2010) have ever had a longer run in the competition.
• Netherlands have made it past the group stages in their last seven previous World Cup participations.
• Robin van Persie was the top scorer in the 2014 European World Cup qualifiers (11 goals).
• Spain and Netherlands have a perfectly even head-to-head record with four wins apiece and one draw, though Spain won the only previous World Cup clash 1-0 in the 2010 final.
• The defending champions have only won their first game in three of the last 10 World Cups (D4 L3), with Italy drawing 1-1 with Paraguay last time out.