When it was announced back in December, many were hotly anticipating the game between Spain and Netherlands. Most expected this game to be a tremendous rematch of the final from four years ago. But few expected the scoreline that resulted -- a 5-1 destruction by the Dutch of the defending champs. Here is what we learned from the match.

1. Is Tiki Taka truly dead?

Spain was dominant throughout the first half and imposed its game without any reservations. The Dutch looked reserved and their backline of five men was constantly cut apart by the Spaniards. David Silva nearly scored at the tail end of the first half but he was shut down by goalie Jasper Cillessen.

If the first half saw how potent tiki taka could be, the second half showed why many claim that it is dead. Spain failed to make much of an impact against the Dutch backline and was constantly taken down on the counter. The smart passing was limited to barely any chances in the second half and Spain's capitulation was unstoppable.

Is tiki taka dead? The result certainly bodes poorly for the team and certainly shows that its defense is unable to cope with a counterattack. In fact, Spain without the ball is a time bomb waiting to explode. There are not only serious questions about whether Spain can win this tournament, but whether it can even get out of this group.

It will be up to coach Vicente del Bosque to give his players the hope that they can overcome this massive defeat. 

2. Louis van Gaal gets tactics right

Many questioned van Gaal's choice to go with a 5-3-2 formation. It seemed a bit risky to sit back and let Spain dictate the game instead of pressing and causing turnovers. In the first half it looked like the move was a bad one as the Spaniards continually cut the Dutch defense apart. But the second half was different matter altogether. The Dutch, who gained confidence from Robin van Persie's late strike, simply shut down Spain's attack and took the game to them. La Furia Roja found no space to attack and the end result was a fatal beating. Andres Iniesta and Xavi were invisible for most of the second half.

But defense was not the only tactic he got right. Letting van Persie and Arjen Robben roam free up top was also a work of genius. The two attackers, particularly Robben, caused tremendous havoc on Spain's back two and left them completely lost.

3. Diego Costa Experiment Fails

Many questioned why Vicente del Bosque would give the Atletico Madrid forward the chance to be the man leading Spain's line in this championship despite some questionable performances with the national team and they were right. Spain constantly looked to feed Costa long balls and it never really worked. He got the penalty kick for them, but like Fred in Brazil's game on Thursday, he failed to make his mark. Chances are that he does not see another minute in this tournament.

4. Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie step up

Four years ago Robben was shut down by Iker Casillas in a play that will live in infamy for the Dutchman. Then two years later Robben and his national teammates were completely shutdown in the Euro Cup due to disharmony in the lockerroom. So naturally this tournamnet was huge for the Bayern Munich winger who had a lot to prove in what is likely his final World Cup. And he did just that on Friday. He put on a defining display of soccer that will wipe away some of that pain. His speed completely destroyed Spain's defensive rhythm and his two goals were excellent display of patience and poise.

But he was not the only Dutchman to put on a clinic. Van Persie, who was also around for the 2010 loss and 2012 debacle, scored a glorious opener that gave the Dutch the lift it needed in a game where it looked lost and out of control. He hit the crossbar on a later attempt and was in the right place at the right time to capitalize on Iker Casillas' error to score the fourth Dutch goal. The Dutch attack is truly frightening with these two guys playing at the top of their respective games.

5. Dutch are not a work in progress; they are contenders

Many felt that the Dutch team, which is relatively young, were very much a work in progress. The biggest concerns were about their inexperienced defense and whether they would hold up in a potent group that featured Spain and Chile. While the team looked creaky throughout the first half, the transition play and attack was completely lethal and the team could have added two or three more goals. This is a team capable of taking down anyone with its counterattack and van Gaal's genius.

Man of the Match:

Netherlands: Van Persie and Robben derserve the honor together but Robben gets a slight nudge over his teammate. The Bayern Munich winger utilized his speed to unsettle Spain and managed to score two huge goals.

Spain: In the first half David Silva was the man of the match for both sides. He was making smart plays at both ends of the pitch. His second half performance? A disappearing act.

Flop of the match

Netherlands: De Guzman got away with a second yellow card that would have proven a huge moment in the game. Had he gotten that card, Spain would have a 1-0 lead and a one-man advantage for more than 45 minutes.

Spain: How about the whole team? The 5-1 defeat was the biggest endured by defending World Cup champion. Casillas blew the fourth goal. Gerard Pique was at fault for the winner. Sergio Ramos misplayed Robben on the fifth goal. Jordi Alba left the wing too exposed. Cesar Azpilicueta was ineffective in the second half. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets failed to provide security in the middle of the park. Xavi and Iniesta did nothing in the second half. Costa? See above. The substitutions had no impact on the game either. Just a disastrous display from the defending champs.