Netherlands rallied late to mastermind a come from behind 2-1 victory over Mexico to book their place in the quarter finals.
An uneventful first half ended goalless, but three goals in the 2nd half, two from the Dutch in the last ten minutes; turned the game on its head to ensure they became the first European side to make the quarter finals in Brazil.
World cup finalists in 2010, the Netherlands are gunning for their first world cup title but the odds were not in their favour; the world cup is in South America and no European side have ever won the competition on that subcontinent.
European sides have been dropping like flies at this world cup, and Mexico looked like sending another one on their way as they did most of the early attacking for the better part of the second half.
Left back Miguel Layun had two early shots, either of which barely tested Netherlands goalie Jasper Cillessen.
Netherlands had another early scare, as a lofted ball almost fell for Perelta, Cillessen however came out his area to clear awkwardly, but Mexico failed to capitalise on the botched clearance…
Louis van Gaal was forced into an early change, as Nigel De Jong picked up a knock in the 9th minute and was replaced by Bruno Martins Indi. It was a worrisome development, particularly considering Mexico’s dominance as the A.C Milan man’s sturdiness was missed in midfield.
Mexico’s dominance counted for little, despite good work upfront involving Giovanni dos Santos, Peralta, and Layun from the left flank.
Layun easily skipped past Verhaegh in the 13th minute, but his cross was a little too strong. Herrera missed narrowly wide in the 17th minute, after a pass from Peralta following fine work from dos Santos which created chaos in the Dutch penalty area.
Salcido’s long range effort was palmed to corner by Cillessen. Giovanni got away from the Dutch defence in the 42nd minute, but his shot was straight at the legs of the Netherlands’ number one.
A counter straight at the other end was snuffed out almost immediately, before penalty appeals where waved away following a trip on Robben by Marquez. The Dutch were furious but the referee brought play to a halt, ending the first half.
Giovanni dos Santos barely gave Netherlands time to settle into the second period before giving his side the lead.
A flicked on header from Peralta bounced towards him, and after controlling with his chest unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box that left Cillessen sprawling.
European sides haven’t been having the best of tournaments in Brazil, and suddenly Netherlands found themselves in real danger of joining fellow European flops Italy, Spain, and England back home.
A spell of dominance then developed for the Oranje, as Arjen Robben stepped up his game on the right flank.
The Bayern Munich winger went on one of his mazy runs down the right in the 60th minute, before laying off for Sneidjer but his shot was deflected wide. Robben then skipped the challenge of Marquez as he ran into the box, but Ochoa in fine form stopped his shot in their one-on-one confrontation.
Ochoa made another world class save off De Vrij, after a corner found its way to the defender but his header was saved from point blank!
The Dutch pressure continued to yield chances, but Sneidjer wasted another chance after Robben set him up again.
Javier Chicharito Hernandez came on for Mexico, but they remained on the back foot as the Dutch pushed hard for the equaliser.
Then the final seven minutes turned the game on its head, as Sneidjer first found the equaliser in the 87th minute.
Robben’s corner was flicked back by Klaas Jan Huntelaar for Sneidjer who hit a ferocious drive that left Ochoa rooted to the spot.
Huntelaar then converted a stoppage time penalty, after Marquez tripped Arjen Robben to send Dutch fans into ecstasy and break Mexican hearts.