Netherlands striker Robin van Persie has described his diving header in the 5-1 win over Spain as the best goal of his career.

The Manchester United man acrobatically looped a header over Iker Casillas on Friday night to equalise for Louis van Gaal's side.

Van Persie, who described it as a "brilliant goal", claimed that the occasion meant that it was the best of his career so far.

"It is the best goal of my career. It was a brilliant goal, even I have to say that." Van Persie told reporters.

"I look at the occasion and this was one of the biggest so far in my career. It was a bit of a gamble but I spotted Casillas off his line before the cross came in.

"Just before I received the ball, I saw Casillas standing in front of his goal, so it was a header but a lobbed header - a great goal."

Van Persie has scored 45 goals in 85 appearances for Netherlands.