FIFA World Cup 2014 : Holland dramatic comeback send Mexico home

FIFA World Cup round of 16, clash between Netherland and Mexico at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza. Great comeback from Dutch side advance them through to quarterfinals.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored the winning goal in the extra time of second half followed by Wesley Sneijder’s goal in the 88th minute.
Giovanni Dos Santos provided Mexico the lead in the 48th minute into the bottom right corner and put them close to next round. But in the 88th minute Wesley Sneijder scored an equaliser to cancelled earlier goal from Santos. Holland won penalty in the extra time of second half from an awful tackle from Mexico captain Marquez.

The Schalke striker Huntelaar stepped forward to take penalty kick and calmly placed it into the bottom-left-corner. This makes the final score 2-1 and decides the Dutch are through to World Cup quarterfinals.

The heat was important factor throughout the entire match. FIFA allowed two cooling breaks which was first time in the FIFA World Cup history. Even fans struggled to take their seats because they were in direct sunlight, preferring to stand at the back and watch from an area of shade

Netherland’s coach said before the match, “I don’t really know, the heat affects both teams. They also have a great team and will also be physically prepared.”

MATCH STATS:
Netherlands: Cillessen, Verhaegh, De Vrij, Vlaar, Wijnaldum, Blind, Sneijder, De Jong, Robben, Kuyt, van Persie
Subs: Martins Indi, De Guzman, Janmaat, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Lens, Fer, Huntelaar, Depay, Vorm, Krul
Mexico: Ochoa, Moreno, Marquez, Rodriguez, Salcido, Aguilar, Herrera, Guardardo, Layun, Dos Santos, Peralta
Subs: Corona, Vazquez, Reyes, Fabian, Jimenez, Pulido, Talavera, Moreno, Ponce, Brizuela, Hernandez, Aquino, Pena