Spain’s Iker Casillas: Netherlands defeat was the worst performance of my career

 
Raining goals: Casillas stands shell-shocked after Dutch onslaught
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Andy Hodgson15 June 2014

Captain Iker Casillas apologised for Spain’s 5-1 humiliation to the Netherlands, admitting it was the worst performance of his career.

Goals from Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Stefan de Vrij saw the Dutch come from behind to leave the reigning World Cup champions stunned, on what was their goalkeeper’s 155th appearance for La Roja.

“This is the worst performance of my career,” the 33-year-old was quoted as saying by The Guardian. “We have to say sorry.

“Holland were very good, we were the complete opposite. Sometimes it’s good for things like this to happen so that you can react but we have to react now.”

Spain v Netherlands - player ratings

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The Real Madrid star - who remains the club’s second choice goalkeeper for La Liga games – was at fault for at least one of the goals, and struggled to command his penalty area throughout the match.

As the goals rained in on his goal, the Spain captain admitted that all they could do was look ahead to their next match - against Chile on Wednesday.

"We apologise, and I am the first in line. Our fans must give out the criticism that comes to us and forget what happened soon,” he told Marca.

"I have not been up to par and I accept that. We have not been fortunate, starting with me. Now only we think about the next game.

"I have to take the blame. All we could do is think about the next game when they scored.”

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