Despite being only a couple of match days into the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, there's one very marked difference from the tournament in South Africa four years ago: attacking soccer.

While 2010 was defined by deep defensive lines and allowing the opposition to come on before attacks breaking down in a sea of bodies, this year has so far seen high defensive lines and pressing starting from the strikers. Teams are coming to Brazil to score.

Nowhere was this more evident­ than in Salvador on Friday­ when the Netherlands ran riot over a shellshocked Spain.

Both teams pushed and played a line higher than the waist on Pitbull's trousers at the opening ceremony, but the Dutch got the most joy from the system as the pace of Arjen­ Robben and movement of Robin­ van Persie tore the Spanish­ rearguard to shreds.

Two goals really highlight the sea change from defense to attack in the World Cup.

Van Persie closing down Casillas to nab his second and Robben putting on the burners­ to reach a through ball and leave Sergio Ramos for dead before­ scoring Holland's fifth goal.

It's a mind-set that is on show in every game and has been since the first whistle.

Croatia took the game to the hosts and were rewarded with the lead. Brazil responded with three goals despite it not being a vintage performance by any stretch.

Mexico also came out of the blocks flying and Giovani dos Santos can legitimately bemoan­ bad officiating for him not standing on two goals in the Golden Boot rankings.

El Tri had the ball in the net three times and made a host of other chances that they failed to take in their 1-0 win over Cameroon.­

Chile started the brightest of any team so far.

Two goals to the good after a quarter of an hour against Australia, it looked like they were going to romp to a similar result to that inflicted on Spain in the previous game. However, they appeared to hold themselves back a little but still won 3-1.

Attack has been the way throughout the tournament so far.

Colombia were fairly dreadful­ against Greece but won 3-0. And the England vs Italy game was unusually attacking.­

Even the teams that have lost have been on the attack.

Both Cote d'Ivoire and Australia had goals (correctly) chalked off for offside.

This combination of goals, scoring opportunities and teams risking offside by playing on the last man to force more chance is conducive to very entertaining soccer.

Long may it continue.

What is the reason for this collective desire to attack? Does soccer as a game feel it owes it to the Brazilian public for all the controversy that the World Cup has brought the country? Are the players seeking approval­ from the country that has done most to put the beautiful aspect into the beautiful game? Is it just part of the ongoing current counter to tiki-taka possession soccer?

Probably it's a bit of all of this and more but when we're in line for the highest scoring World Cup since France 1998, let's just sit back and enjoy the soccer.