"It's great to have ended Spain's run," says Van Persie

The Netherlands' captain, Robin van Persie said it was great to beat Spain and end a six-year run in which La Roja have won almost everything.

However, the Dutch centre-forward called for realism and calm: "Spain have won everything there is to win over the past six years. They've shown the world what they have to offer time and time again, so ending their outstanding run of success is great for us. We pulled off an amazing result, but it's a long tournament and we have a long road ahead of us to win it."

The Manchester United striker, who admitted that "everybody in Holland is over the moon" following the win against Spain, called for calm in a statement to fifa.com.

"We're dealing with the fans' expectations, which are much lower compared with other years. I think that gives us an advantage because nobody expected much from us. This is my fifth major international tournament and I know how these things work: the elation disappears as quickly as it appears. We have to be realistic," he said.

Van Persie, who scored two of his team's five goals against Del Bosque and co., insisted in his call for calm, because beating Spain was "just Holland's first three points" in Brazil.

"It was an amazing start to the tournament and we've made a lot of people happy," he concluded.