Robben goes from Cup villain to hero

Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben. Source: MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP

FOUR years after the worst night of Arjen Robben's career, a new and much happier World Cup chapter is being written by the Dutch superstar.

The 30-year-old Bayern Munich attacker has been unstoppable in Brazil, playing the leading role in his Netherlands team's charge to Group B dominance.

Three goals in three games and a man-of-the-match performance in the Oranje's group-clinching 2-0 win over the previously undefeated Chile at the Arena de Sao Paulo has Robben being lauded alike by teammates and experts.

It's a far cry from 2010 in Johannesburg, where Robben had two golden opportunities to deliver the Dutch their first World Cup crown.

He blew both chances, with Spain taking full advantage, scoring the game's only goal in extra-time through their midfield maestro Andres Iniesta to win the World Cup for the first time.

But four years on, a different story is evolving.

Netherlands' forward Memphis Depay (L) celebrates scoring with Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben. Source: AFP

Netherlands exacted revenge for the defeat in the final, smashing Spain 5-1 in Salvador in a breathtaking performance that set the tone for what has thus far been a wonderful tournament.

Not surprisingly, the Spaniards never recovered and are already back home.

The infighting that has previously plagued the Dutch seems to have infiltrated the Spanish camp.

It's amazing what winning can do. The Oranje are united and suddenly have a real chance to go one better than 2010 and in the process become the first European team to win a World Cup on South American soil.

"If you told me that we'd win our three games to finish top of the group two months ago I'd have been delighted," Robben said after his scintillating effort against the Chileans.

"We want to go on."

Robben is pivotal to Netherlands' chances of going all the way.

His pace and energy is vital to his team's counterattacking system that despite having already earned them three wins and 10 goals has attracted criticism for being an unattractive way to play football.

Not that Dutch coach Louis van Gaal cares what other people think.

Arjen Robben of the Netherlands. Source: Getty Images

With Robben in this type of form and the likes of Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder also benefiting from the 5-3-2 system, van Gaal isn't about to be swayed by the opinions of football purists.

"It's all about winning so I use the system I think will let me win," van Gaal said.

"You have to evaluate a strategy that will help you win, and this is the proof in the pudding.

"We're not giving away games and we're winning."

And while the Dutch are far from a one-man team, they are winning with the considerable help of Robben.

Former England striker Gary Lineker has been among the ex-Chelsea man's biggest fans.

"The best player of the World Cup group stage is Arjen Robben. He's been utterly outstanding," Lineker tweeted.

Dutch defender Ron Vlaar is in awe of his teammate.

"He's unbelievable," Vlaar said.

"He's so strong, he's quick (and) he can score goals."

Robben is so quick in fact that he has claimed the title of fastest footballer in the world after a 37km per hour sprint in his side's thrashing of Spain.

But it's an accolade he would gladly swap for one of the few things he's yet to achieve during his career — winning the World Cup.

Robben and his Dutch teammates aren't getting too far ahead of themselves, knowing that the hard work has only just started as they must now navigate the cutthroat knockout stages.

"Although we want to enjoy the moment, we'll soon need to start to work hard in training to improve even more … I don't want it to end here," said Robben, who is perhaps on the verge of burying the demons of 2010.

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