Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has refused to blame any individuals following his side's heavy opening-game defeat at the hands of the Netherlands.

La Roja, who are the current holders of the World Cup, took the lead in Salvador before their opponents hit back with five unanswered goals.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas looked shaky throughout the game and was arguably at fault for two of the goals Spain conceded, but Del Bosque says that the blame does not lie with any one person.

"I insist it is not the time to blame [individuals]," the 63-year-old is quoted as saying by the Irish Times. "The defeats do not come through the performance of a player, but by the weakness of the team. We cannot blame anyone, least of all Iker.

"I feel sick, ill at ease, but with the courage a defeat must not sink us. It is not a happy moment, but first of all I want to congratulate the Dutch team, who were superior to us. We have been overwhelmed in the second half.

"We are a team of good professionals and good lads, everyone hurts, so there was no accusatory glances and that's good for the team. There will be time to talk."



Spain will look to bounce back when they face Chile on Wednesday night.

Written by
Daniel Lewis