Monday, June 30, 2014

WORLD CUP 2014: Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico

Klaas Jan Huntelaar kept his cool in the heat of Fortaleza as Holland stunned Mexico with an injury-time winner. The Schalke striker fired home a penalty to put the Dutch through the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they inflicted an agonising defeat on Mexico who were within two minutes of an historic win, leading through Giovani dos Santos' excellent strike.

Wesley Sneijder's blistering volley pulled Holland level before Arjen Robben won a penalty and substitute Huntelaar smashed it home to make it 2-1 send the Dutch fans into ecstasy.
It was familiar misery for Mexico - it is now six consecutive World Cups where they have always been knocked out at this stage of the tournament.

This time it had seemed the elements were on their side. It was 30 degrees C and 70 per cent humidity meaning that FIFA's limit had been passed allowing for official cooling and drinks breaks midway through each half.

Mexico looked more comfortable with conditions and took the game to the Dutch, whose cause was not helped by midfield enforcer Nigel de Jong going off apparently injured after only nine minutes.
Even before then, Mexico had taken the game to Holland. Miguel Layun blazed over from 25 yards and then fired wide, before skinning full-back Paul Verhaegh, but his cross just evaded Dos Santos.
Hector Herrera was the next to threaten for the Mexicans after some lovely build-up, but he just snatched at his shot and it drifted wide.

>> Match Highlights <<

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