World Cup

[monks data]

Attendance: 48,173

World Cup | Group Stage

Jun 13, 2014 at 8pm UK

Spain
1-5
Netherlands

Alonso (27' pen.)

FT(HT: 1-1)

van Persie (44', 72'), Robben (53', 80'), de Vrij (64')

Xavi: 'Spain will live or die by tiki-taka'

By Joe Fish, Reporter

Published: June 13 2014 | 15:56

Last updated: June 14 2014 | 10:06

Spain star Xavi insists that the World Cup holders will "live and die" by the tiki-taka playing style that has won them three consecutive major tournaments.

Spain star Xavi has insisted that it would be a mistake for them to discard the tiki-taka playing style that has brought them huge success in recent years.

The World Cup holders have won three consecutive major tournaments while imposing their attractive brand of possession football on their opponents.

Critics of their tactics have claimed that Spain's rivals have developed systems to combat their methods, but Xavi has vowed that his side will "live or die" by their approach during Brazil 2014, starting against Netherlands on Friday.

"It's a repeat of the 2010 final, so we know Netherlands are a very tough rival," he told reporters on Thursday. "They have very fast attackers so they're very good at the counterattack, but also strong in defence.

"But we have our own style of play. We've been playing that way for many years and we'll try to impose our style on them. Our style of play is very clear. We want to dominate the game; keep possession. We've had this style for many years and had a great many successes, so I think it would be a mistake to change it.

"All of our players have adapted to it by now. We're going to win or die with this style of play. We want to make history again with this style of play."

Netherlands have been using a 3-5-2 system in warm-up games, operating with two defensive midfielders, preparing to try to deny Spain space in central areas from which their midfielders can impact the game.