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Sunday, June 29, 2014

Game 51 Recap: Netherlands 2-1 Mexico

NETHERLANDS 2-1 MEXICO

For the second straight day, the early Round of 16 game has failed to disappoint and sent one team home in just the worst possible fashion.

In a game played in near-unbearable heat, it was the Netherlands who managed a stunning late comeback against Mexico to advance to the quarterfinals for the second straight tournament.

CBC reported mid-broadcast that the temperature on the field in the shade was 39 degrees Celsius or 102 degrees Fahrenheit. That wasn't taking in to account humidity, sunlight or players running for miles during the game. It was also the first match in Brazil where pre-determined cooling breaks occurred around the 30th and 75th minutes of the match.

Mexico came out in their usual 5-3-2 look but it was a bizarre tactical change for the Dutch. Having played a 5-3-2 formation predominantly themselves, the Dutch opted for a 4-3-3 look in this game. That backfired in a big way when holding midfielder Nigel de Jong was forced to leave 9 minutes in with an injury.

This was a first half dominated by Mexico. Time and again they found ways to get through the Dutch defenders, using their speed to stretch the field in all directions. Hector Herrera had the first good chance in the 17th minute but could not settle the ball in the penalty area and tapped it just wide.

Carlos Salcido, playing in place of the suspended Jose Vazquez unleashed a wicked moving strike from 30+ yards away but Jasper Cillessen managed to awkwardly deflect it wide of the target. Giovani dos Santos got his own chance near halftime but Cillessen bravely challenged and was able to kick the ball away from goal.

All Mexico to start the second half as well and they were quickly rewarded. Giovani dos Santos got his foot on an errant Dutch clearance and his curling shot across his body from 30 yards eluded Cillessen and snuck inside the post. It was the nightmare scenario for the Netherlands as Daley Blind, filling in for de Jong in central midfield could not contain dos Santos. Cannot fathom that goal occurring with the veteran de Jong in that spot.

The Mexican goal woke up the Netherlands. They turned up the pressure offensively and were denied an equalizer on yet another fantastic Ochoa save. Arjen Robben's corner kick fell to Stefan de Vrij in the 6 yard box but his redirection went off a perfectly positioned Ochoa and out off the post. No reaction but just ideal placement in the goal led to another highlight for Ochoa in this tournament.

No let up for the Dutch though. Wesley Sneijder's shot from the top of the area was deflected just wide and Robben's shot from the side of goal was smartly turned away by Ochoa as well. Netherlands got past the Mexican defence in the 85th minute but again Ochoa was there to deny Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's flick although the offside flag was up.

Minutes away from the quarterfinals, disaster struck for Mexico. Another Robben delivery fell to Huntelaar who headed entirely away from goal, but fortunately for the Dutch, it fell straight to Sneijder. Maligned by Dutch supporters for his performance this tournament, Sneijder made no mistake launching the ball inside the post to give the Dutch the tie and crush the hopes of Mexican supporters in the stadium.

The late drama wasn't done there though. 4 minutes later in injury time, Robben streaked down the wing for the umpteenth time in this game. Almost past the end line, Robben cut back and was hauled down by Rafael Marquez in the penalty area. Mexico questioned the decision but it looked a legitimate foul and may have been a make-up call after a questionable foul on Robben went Mexico's way in the first half.

Given a penalty kick in the closing stages, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was given the task of winning the game for Netherlands. Only in as a late substitute for Robin van Persie, Huntelaar finished things off perfectly, tucking the ball inside the post to give Netherlands the 2-1 lead and the victory.

Goals

Netherlands: Wesley Sneijder (88'), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (90+4')
Mexico: Giovani dos Santos (48')
Discipline

Netherlands: N/A
Mexico: Paul Aguilar (Yellow 69'), Rafael Marquez (Yellow 90+2'), Andres Guardado (90+4')

Man of the Match

A losing effort but fans voted Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa Man of the Match again. Part of that is he was deserving but part of that also may have been no time to change votes with the Dutch comeback. I'm fine with Ochoa getting it, I'm fine with Robben getting it, I'm fine with Huntelaar or Sneijder getting it. Ochoa's positioning in this game was superb again denying de Vrij and Robben from close range. Little he could do on either Dutch goals.

Key Moment

Mexico went defensive in the last third of the game looking to protect their lead. It almost worked until Wesley Sneijder volleyed home an errant header from Huntelaar. It was all Netherlands from that goal on and Mexico's substitutions gave them little in the way of an attacking presence to counter it. The winning Dutch goal came before extra time but no doubt they would win once Sneijder tied things up.

What we learned from Netherlands

Felt they overthought their strategy in this one. Tried to go 4-3-3 and paid the price when de Jong went out injured. Hamstrung in to playing Blind in midfield and Kuyt as a left back. Need to get back to what got them here. 5-3-2 is their bread and butter right now. Never quit on the game despite the oppressive heat and don't think many teams can match the Dutch heart. This team wasn't ready to leave Brazil yet and that is ultimately what won out for them today.

What we learned from Mexico

Did everything right for about 75 minutes. Pressured the Dutch in midfield, kept them away from goal and took advantage of attacking opportunities. Then it all fell apart. Absolutely hated that they fell back in to a passive shell defensively. Chile did the same and Netherlands completely dismantled it. Can't afford to give the Dutch time on the ball and Mexico did. As a result they're heading home early again.

Going Forward

I said in my knockout round predictions, this was the key game in this quarter of the bracket. Regardless of opponent, Netherlands will have an easier time in the quarterfinals then they did today. Gave me a huge scare after I picked them to win it all but won't back down from that now. Gamely challenged a good Mexican team and pulled it out in the end.

Crushing defeat for Mexico. Paul Carr of ESPN tweeted that Mexico have been eliminated from the World Cup knockout round now 4 times after having a lead in the elimination game. Don't know how to cope with that if you're a Mexican fan........Tequila.

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