Spain will be lifted by a reminder of the glory of four years ago as the defence of their World Cup crown begins against 2010 finalists the Netherlands in Salvador on Friday in a standout Group B opener. The two finalists from the previous edition will go head-to-head in the group stage four years on. Reigning champions Spain go into the tournament having prolonged their stranglehold by defending their UEFA European Championship title at EURO 2012, where they beat Italy in the final.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, suffered a hangover from their defeat in the South Africa 2010 showpiece and lost all three of their group fixtures at the EUROs, falling to Germany, Portugal and Denmark. However, having sailed through qualifying as usual, Arjen Robben and Co are out for revenge against La Roja.

Fernando Torres heads to his third World Cup tournament. Spain’s number 9 knows well the challenges that world and twice Euro Cup winners will face in Brazil: One year ago Chelsea striker won the Golden Boot of the Confederations Cup played in Brazil, the same he did in Poland-Ukraine Euro tournament two years before, but spain fall to defeat 3-0 in the big final played at Maracaná Stadium against Scolari’s side.

Spain, also 2008 and 2012 European Championship winners, arrive in Brazil with Fernando Torres and other 15 players retained from the squad that triumphed in South Africa, the most returned at the following World Cup by any world champion, with many still bearing the scars of a bruising encounter with the Dutch in 2010.

Spain dominated possession in Johannesburg and took a barrage of heavy tackles by a fierce Dutch defensive guard, but fans streaming to the Fonte Nova arena will be hoping for a more attacking treat this time around as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva’s superb passing game comes up against a Dutch counter attack possessing Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.

While Van Gaal has also pushed to blood more youngsters into the national side, his team to face Spain will include a core of household names, including a rejuvenated Wesley Sneijder who has bounced back from losing the captaincy and his place in the side to take a key role as provider for Robben and Van Persie.

Van Persie’s form and fitness is key to Van Gaal’s plans. The captain endured a stop-start domestic campaign and while he has said he is fit for the World Cup after some niggling injuries, the jury is still out after not looking completely comfortable in training.

Group B rivals Australia and Chile also play Friday in Cuiaba. Hotly fancied Chile can ill afford to drop points against Australia if they are to gatecrash the European big guns’ party in what is one of the so-called “Groups of Death”.