Match 51: Netherlands reach World Cup quarterfinals with dramatic comeback

Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder (R) celebrates with forward Memphis Depay after scoring the equalising goa

Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar converted a penalty won by Arjen Robben in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Sneijder volleyed home an 88th minute equalizer.

The Netherlands staged a remarkable late comeback in Fortaleza as goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas—Jan Huntelaar gave the Dutch a 2—1 win over Mexico and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Huntelaar converted a penalty won by Arjen Robben in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Sneijder volleyed home an 88th minute equalizer.

Mexico had been the better team for long spells and had led through a wonderful long shot from Giovani dos Santos in the 48th minute.

But the Netherlands turned things around late on and face the winner of Sunday’s later tie between Costa Rica and Greece in the quarterfinal in Salvador on Saturday.

The Mexicans entered the match with the weight of history lying heavily upon their shoulders. They had only reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup when held inside their own country (1970 and 1986) and had lost five round-of-16 matches in succession.

That became six in a row in the most agonizing fashion imaginable as they threw away a winning position within sight of full time.

As the Netherlands struggled to adapt to the heat and humidity, a 48th minute strike from dos Santos beat the diving Jasper Cillessen for pace and accuracy.

Charismatic coach Miguel Herrera, looking unruffled in the heat despite wearing a suit and tie, exploded on the touchline in his trademark celebration.

Given the display of the Netherlands to this point, he must have felt the goal could be enough to see his team into the next round.

But with no choice but to push forward, the Netherlands responded and began throwing men forward against the green wall of the Mexico defence.

It looked as though their efforts would be in vain but when Robben’s corner kick was headed into the path of Sneijder, the midfielder sent an unstoppable volley into the net which left Guillermo Ochoa without a hope.

And when Robben was fouled in the box by Rafael Marquez, substitute Huntelaar had the chance to win the game. Though seeking his first goal of the tournament, the Schalke forward kept cool in the Fortaleza heat to send Ochoa the wrong way from 12 yards. Earlier, Ochoa made an instinctive save to deny Stefan de Vrij from a corner kick, turning the ball onto the post, before he also denied Robben as the Dutch pressure increased.

It was a turnaround from the first half that Mexico controlled as Hector Herrera guided a shot just wide before Cillessen saved from Carlos Salcido, brought into midfield for the suspended Jose Vazquez, and blocked from dos Santos at a tight angle.

During a remarkable journey through the group stage, which started with a 5—1 thrashing of reigning champions Spain, it seemed possible the Netherlands could achieve great things in Brazil.

But in the heat, the pace which characterized their earlier matches was absent. Robin Van Persie, back from a ban, hardly contributed and the ineffective Manchester United striker was subbed with 15 minutes remaining.

For long spells the Netherlands looked more like reluctant fathers dragged out to play in the searing midday sun by their enthusiastic children than a top side chasing a quarterfinal berth at the World Cup.

When they did have possession, it was retained with the sole ambition of conserving energy rather than to probe the Mexican defence for gaps.

But with their backs to the wall, the Netherlands responded when they had to and in the best possible fashion. Their dream continues while Mexico rue what might have been.

Match 35: Mexico defeats Croatia 3-1 to reach knock-out stage

Mexico score three times in the second half to defeat Croatia 3-1 and set up a clash with the Netherlands in the second round of the World Cup.

Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez scored the goals that left Mexico in second place in Group A behind leaders Brazil, 4-1 winners against Cameroon in the group’s other game.

Ivan Perisic scored a late consolation goal for Croatia, the first conceded by the Mexicans in their three matches in the group stage.

Mexico had more of the play and deserved their victory against Croatia, who needed to win the match in order to reach the next round.

Match 16: Mexico holds host Brazil to 0-0 draw

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa made a series of outstanding saves to help Mexico hold Brazil to a pulsating 0-0 draw at the World Cup on Tuesday.

The result leaves both teams with four points each after two games in Group A, ahead of their decisive final matches. Croatia and Cameroon meet on Wednesday for their second games after both opened with defeats.

Ochoa’s first remarkable save prevented Neymar from scoring in the 26th minute. The Brazil striker’s powerful header looked set to fly just inside the post when the goalkeeper dived to his right to push the ball wide.

Ochoa also made three other difficult saves to keep the hosts from breaking the deadlock a shot by Paulinho in the 44th, a second-half effort by Neymar from inside the area and a close-range header by Thiago Silva in the 86th minute which produced a remarkable block by the Mexico keeper.

After that, there was still time for a thrilling end to the game in the northeastern city of Fortaleza.

The referee dismissed Brazilian claims for a penalty after Marcelo seemed to have been grabbed in the 88th minute. Mexico then had two great chances, first with Andres Guardado’s shot over the crossbar in the 90th and then with an effort by Raul Jimenez that was stopped by Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar in injury time.

It was an evenly-balanced game at the Arena Castelao, with Mexico not allowing Brazil to take control. El Tri didn’t play defensively and created chances throughout the match, especially with long-range shots, while Brazil turned up the pressure in the second half.

But there was no getting past Ochoa.

Fans wearing Brazil’s green and yellow colours were the majority as expected, but Mexicans took over large seating sections of the stadium and at times were louder than the local fans. Among those in the crowd of 60,342 was NBA star Kobe Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Match 2: Mexico down Cameroon 1-0

Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0 at a rain-drenched Natal on Friday in a World Cup Group A match scarred by more refereeing blunders.

Oribe Peralta grabbed the only goal after 61 minutes but Mexico will consider themselves unlucky not to have been more comfortable winners after Giovani Dos Santos had two goals ruled out for dubious offside decisions in the first half.

On both occasions, it was former Tottenham striker Giovani Dos Santos who was the victim.

In the 11th minute, the Villarreal player found the target with a sweet, stabbed volley from a cross by Porto's Hector Herrara but his effort was ruled out by Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan

On the 30-minute mark, a Dos Santos header from a corner by Miguel Layun was also not allowed to stand.

In between, Cameroon skipper Samuel Eto'o had a goal chalked off for offside although this time the referee made the right decision.

The blunders came just a day after Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura controversially awarded a penalty which set Brazil on their way to a 3-1 win over Croatia.

Eto'o had Cameroon's best chance of the first half after 21 minutes but narrowly went wide of the post.

Early in the second period, Mexico had a golden opportunity when Peralta was clean through on goal, but he fired the ball straight at Charles Itandje in the Cameroon goal.

Peralta deservedly put Mexico in front just after the hour mark. Dos Santos's shot was parried into his path and the Club Santos Laguna striker slotted in from close range.

Cameroon's Benjamin Moukandjo had a chance to rescue a point in injury time but his header was well-saved by Guillermo Ochoa.

Mexico next face Brazil in Fortaleza on Tuesday with Cameroon taking on Croatia the following day.