Top matches of 2014 - 6) Spain v Netherlands

Robin van Persie scored a spectacular opening goal as the Netherlands humbled Spain. Photo / Getty

The Herald counts down the greatest sporting encounters of the year.

The downfall of the Spanish empire started with a flying Dutchman soaring through the air on a warm night in Salvador.

It was June 14 and the World Cup in Brazil was only a couple of days old. A marquee match-up many had been awaiting since the draw was announced had finally arrived: a replay of the 2010 final, between the undisputed kings of football and the side that four year earlier had failed to kick and hack their way to the title.

Spain, the defending world and European champions, were coming off an unprecedented streak of victories in three major tournaments; the Netherlands were merely hoping to survive a dangerous group that also featured Chile (and Australia).

But when Robin van Persie ran beyond the Spanish defence, a minute before halftime and with the Dutch trailing to Xabi Alonso's penalty, a seismic shift in the sport was sparked.

Van Persie watched as a flighted through ball from Daley Blind began to drop over his shoulder and, when most observers expected him to bring down the equisite pass on his chest, the Manchester United marksman flung himself through the air and met the ball on the edge of the box with a majestic, looping header that dropped over a stranded Iker Casillas and into the back of the net.

If the crowd packed into the Arena Fonte Nova was stunned by the strike - since announced as one of the three nominees for the Puskas Award, given to the greatest goal of the year - that feeling was only amplified by what followed after the break.

While the expectation was for the Spanish to recover and close out a win, something entirely different transpired. First, Arjen Robben put the Dutch ahead with the cool finish in the 53rd minute, then Stefan de Vrij squeezed in a third from a free kick.

Once Casillas fluffed his lines to allow van Persie a second, the football world had been turned on its head. There was still time for Robben to grab a brace and perhaps the most amazing thing about their eventual 5-1 victory was that the Dutch could have had more.

Five were enough. The Netherlands went on to finish third while Spain exited from the group stage in ignominious fashion.

Top matches of 2014:

10 - Djokovic v Federer
9 - Chiefs v Bulls/Cheetahs
8 - Kansas City v Oakland
7 - Panthers v Roosters