Group B - ESP | NED | CHI | AUS

Match threads in here.

TAB have Spain and Netherlands to go through.

Spain yes. Netherlands no. I'm backing Chile.

Hard to pick between Chile and the Netherlands but I'm going with the Netherlands (I'm half Dutch).

The Netherlands have never failed to progress from the group stage since 1974 when they first entered a professional side (Holland's only two previous appearances in the Finals were in 1934 and 1938, fielding only amateurs, when entry was by invitation and teams only played one first round game, the winner making the quarter-finals). Of course, they never made the Finals in 1982, 1986 and 2002.

Amazing to think the Netherlands only have forty years of post-war World Cup Finals history - much less than most other major countries.

Dutch clubs were weak before the 1960's and the national team only allowed professionals from 1956 when Holland's first pro league was formed.

By contrast, Chile have only made it past the group stage three times in eight World Cup Finals appearances...

The Netherlands have appeared in the Finals only seven times since World War Two but have made the Final three times.

Chile's best performances have been a third-place when they hosted the Finals in 1962 and two Round of Sixteens.

Stats don't always predict current performance - but I'm hoping so !!!

1. Spain

2. Chile

3. Holland

4. Australia

Aust 0 goals and points

I'm tempted to go Chile & Netherlands here.

A big team is always a surprise exit in the first round, and this group looks to be one that could do that. 

Of course not willing to put money on that :P

The Netherlands have never failed to progress from the group stage since 1974 when they first entered a professional side

A question for Big Pete: were the Netherlands not classed as " professional " when they failed to qualify for the 1970 world cup? I know they had Cruyff and some of the "total football" crew playing. That 1969-70 period when people started to become aware that the Netherlands were a rising force in European football.

They failed to qualify. (So I am guessing the stat is because 1974 was the first time the made the Finals with a professional side, 1938 being their previous appearance).

Interesting fact, Germany won the WC in '54 with an amateur side and no national league.

There's hope for NZ then in the future even if our national league fails and none of our overseas pros make themselves available...

Netherlands to sneak past Chile on goal difference unfortunately, possibly even goals scored.

Putting as many past Australia as possible could be key.

Australia to top the group you heard it here first

Email from FFA, subject: Junior82, it all starts for the Socceroos tomorrow morning!

Yeah doesn't really count because they didn't qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Didn't qualify in 1982 or 1986 either. But when they've qualified, they've always made out of the group stage...

Chile have a far inferior World Cup record and have only made it out of the group stage three times in seven post-war appearances.

Chile have failed to qualify for six World Cups since 1974 -and were even disqualified during qualifying for cheating in 1990 and banned from all participation in 1994.... 

30 min to go. Don't reckon too many would have picked Dutch win in opening game. Torres on for costa, should help as costa didn't look comfortable. OMG 3-1

Will casillas be Spanish GK by end of tourney?

Well that was unexpected.

Does anybody else love the World Cup? Because I love the World Cup.

Lol, Torres does a Torres there.

Spain so ineffective in front third. Holland ruthless up front.

Site back up!!!? Aussie not out of this yet.

I bet you wish you had put a lazy $20 on that now

Comedy gold by the Aussie defenders on Chile's second goal!

Huge save by the Chilean keeper from the Bresciano volley there.

Cahill just offside, then bresch. Aussie coming home with a wet sail? This game def has more goals in it - for both teams.

Aussie look half decent. Particularly with Cahill up there.

best game so far

Good both teams are having a go

Australia done a lot better  than I thought, well done Ang P

aaand Aussie are gone.

Wow didn't see that result coming. Spain were the better team I thought but once the Dutch got that goal. I wasn't sure if I had fallen asleep or this was really happening

If David Silva had put away that dolly to make it 2-0, you'd think it would be all over.

if the dutch can put 5 past spain.... watch out aussie

Fair play to Australia, they gave that much more of a go than any of us would have thought they would.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/10150143/Woeful-Spain-cooked-in-a-Dutch-oven

Hahaha love the headline to this Stuff article!! Although generations of women may not ...too many bad memories Lol.

Seriously though, what a great game! Robben and RVP really showed their class.

Can anyone explain to me why both Spain and the Netherlands played in their away strips? 

Tony Abbott thought Mike Jedinak had a good game.

I heard because their home strips were to similar, and one should be a dark and light colour, so red and black was a no go too.

Not sure if 100% true, just what i heard

I was wondering this also. Netherlands probably had to because it was a 'home' fixture for Spain, but don't know why Spain did.

That might be it, Netherlands have dark shorts no matter what, same with Spain's home kit. Think that's also why Aussie wore yellow shorts instead of green, and stayed away from blue altogether 

If that is true then it's stupid because Spain's World Cup kit doesn't even have blue shorts anymore.

How would this:

clash with this:

???

At most, Casillas might have had to wear an alternate strip. Although he may as well have been in a Dutch one today anyway.