 |
| Huntelaar with the magic touch in NED win. Photo Credit: AP |
The Netherlands were a scoring machine in the first round netting ten goals but, up until the 88th minute of the second half at a hot and humid Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza they found themselves without a goal However, that drought would finally break for the Dutch at the 88th minute.
By Sunil Sunderraj
The victory marked the first time in World Cup history that a team trailing in the 88th minute of a knockout round had won in regulation. Mexico has lost six straight in the Round of 16. The Netherlands will play Costa Rica on Saturday, July 5th at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
It came with Mexico attempting a clearing attempt off a corner kick which they were unable to do so. The result of their inability to clear the ball was a header assist from Klass-Jan Huntelaar to Wesley Sneijder who one-timed a volley into the far left corner of the net tying the match at 1-1. It was Sneijder’s 6th career World Cup goal tied him for 2nd most in World Cup history.
In the first half, Mexico had the first scoring opportunity at the 17 minute mark with three players positioned inside the box but was unable to cash in. Hector Miguel Herrera’s shot swung left of the goal post. keeping the match scoreless.
At the 28 minute mark Oribe Peralta slipped a perfect pass to Dos Santos whose left footed shot required Cillessen to make the diving stop. Dos Santos had another fantastic chance at the 41st minute crushing a shot off the right goal post. Cillessen had made a tremendous kick save from close range to deny Santos once again.
Mexico managed to take the lead three minutes into the second half off spectacular shot off the foot of Giovani dos Santos. From outside of the box first maintaining possession of the ball and spinning around blasting a shot under the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
In the 56th minute, the Netherlands had a phenomenal opportunity off a free kick to tie the match but Ocho made a remarkable reactionary split save and the ball ended up ringing off the top of the right goal post. inches from bouncing in.
Robben burst down the right flank in the 73rd minute and fired a shot at Ocho who kicked it away and kept the game level at 1.
Four minutes into stoppage time, a questionable takedown by Mexico defender Rafael Marquez of Arjen Robben not only resulted in a yellow card but a penalty kick was issued by the Referee Pedro Proenca. Huntelaar stepped up calmly and ripped the ball into the left corner as goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa dived in the opposite direction for the game winner.
The victory marked the first time in World Cup history that a team trailing in the 88th minute of a knockout round had won in regulation. Mexico has lost six straight in the Round of 16. The Netherlands will play Costa Rica on Saturday, July 5th at Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador.
