Spain lived up to their favourites tag by opening the scoring through a Xabi Alonso penalty, but Robin van Persie equalised with an brilliant diving header before half-time and Arjen Robben put Netherlands in front with a cold finish.
Stefan de Vrij forced in a third from Wesley Sneijder's free-kick, Van Persie dispossessed goalkeeper Iker Casillas to make it and Robben's brilliant solo hard work sealed the win.
Spain, looking to win a fourth consecutive major international trophy, were humbled and humiliated in the repeat of the 2010 World Cup final. The last time they conceded goals in an international match was in 1963.
Three-time runners-up Netherlands will suddenly find themselves talked about among the leading contenders to lift the title and it is not unrealistic in the event that they maintain this level of display.
It was their first meeting with Spain since the showpiece years ago in South Africa and the first time the earlier finalists had met in the opening round of matches at the next World Cup.
Ear-splitting noise reverberated around of Brazil's most impressive stadiums as the teams emerged before kick-off.
Van Persie has ten goals in his last nine Netherlands outings
The Dutch fans have travelled in far smaller numbers than usual - a reflection of their pre-competition hopes - but there were still pockets of orange mixed in with the red of Spain, yellow of Brazil and the colours of various other teams, fitting in this melting pot of a city.
It made for a mighty atmosphere, including boos for pantomime villain Diego Costa - the striker born in Brazil and capped by them before switching allegiances to Spain. Costa was clattered early on by Ron Vlaar, and there were more heavy challenges as the first half progressed, but any idea that the Netherlands would turn this in to an encounter as brutal as their defeat in Johannesburg year's ago were soon dismissed.
Indeed, it was Louis van Gaal's Dutch side who created the first clear chance when Robben slipped Wesley Sneijder tidy through but captain Casillas's one-handed save kept the ball out.
Stefan de Vrij forced in a third from Wesley Sneijder's free-kick, Van Persie dispossessed goalkeeper Iker Casillas to make it and Robben's brilliant solo hard work sealed the win.
Spain, looking to win a fourth consecutive major international trophy, were humbled and humiliated in the repeat of the 2010 World Cup final. The last time they conceded goals in an international match was in 1963.
Three-time runners-up Netherlands will suddenly find themselves talked about among the leading contenders to lift the title and it is not unrealistic in the event that they maintain this level of display.
It was their first meeting with Spain since the showpiece years ago in South Africa and the first time the earlier finalists had met in the opening round of matches at the next World Cup.
Ear-splitting noise reverberated around of Brazil's most impressive stadiums as the teams emerged before kick-off.
Van Persie has ten goals in his last nine Netherlands outings
The Dutch fans have travelled in far smaller numbers than usual - a reflection of their pre-competition hopes - but there were still pockets of orange mixed in with the red of Spain, yellow of Brazil and the colours of various other teams, fitting in this melting pot of a city.
It made for a mighty atmosphere, including boos for pantomime villain Diego Costa - the striker born in Brazil and capped by them before switching allegiances to Spain. Costa was clattered early on by Ron Vlaar, and there were more heavy challenges as the first half progressed, but any idea that the Netherlands would turn this in to an encounter as brutal as their defeat in Johannesburg year's ago were soon dismissed.
Indeed, it was Louis van Gaal's Dutch side who created the first clear chance when Robben slipped Wesley Sneijder tidy through but captain Casillas's one-handed save kept the ball out.
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