Analysis: Netherlands defeat Mexico 2-1 thanks to two late goals

Wesley Sneijder scoring the equalizer for Netherlands

Mexican hero Rafael Marquez turned into a villain after he conceded a penalty by committing a foul on Robben. Seasoned veteran Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made no mistake from 12 yards. Mexico were on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup after 28 years when Giovanni Dos Santos put them in front after 48 minutes.

Then Wesley Sneijder, who has had a quiet World Cup by his standards equalized for the Dutch in the 88th minute with a powerful volley that left keeper Ochoa stranded after a cleared corner kick fell nicely for him.

The game started with equal possession for both sides. Mexico were getting quality balls into the box while the Dutch were giving away the ball cheaply in the final third. Nigel de Jong had to be subbed off early in the first half due to a suspected muscle strain. Martins Indi came on for him. Mexico had the first clear cut chance to score on 16 minutes after being setup by Peralta who received a back pass from Dos Santos deep in the Netherlands’ box.

Herrera managed to get in behind Vlaar when the ball was sent long from mid-field. It took shoulder high boots of de Vrij and retreating Vlaar to clear the danger. They were dangerously close to squashing Herrera’s face and there were claims for a penalty which was turned down by the referee. Mexico’s Salcido had a shot from distance which looked like it was going in until Cillessen intervened.

Right after that Kuyt found Van Persie with a lofted ball over the defense. But Van Persie couldn’t control it and was off balance when he struck it high and wide. When Peralta’s progress was blocked by two defenders, Dos Santos took it off him and hit it between the two defenders. It was straight at the ‘keeper and did not pose any threat. At 30 mins there was the first cooling break in World Cup Finals history, which provided some relief for the players.

A certain Robin Van Persie was marked out of the game by the excellent.Rodriguez throughout the half. His first real contribution came one minute into stoppage time when he took the ball off Marquez after he failed to control it. He ran at the defense and tried to release Robben on his left with a through ball but failed when Hector Moreno lunged in to avert danger to his goal. This resulted in an injury that ended Moreno’s Involvement in the match. He was replaced by Diego Reyes in the second half.

In the first half there were plenty of attacks coming from both sets of players but Mexico had more clear-cut chances. Three minutes after restart, Vlaar flicked the ball lazily with his head to Blind. It was pounced upon by Dos Santos who hit a curling shot from outside the box that gave Cillessen no chance. Mexico had taken the lead. Seven minutes later, Peralta came close to doubling their lead.

Memphis Depay, who scored as a sub in the previous two matches came on for Verhaegh on 56 mins looking to repeat his heroics. A minute later, de Vrij fired one from point-blank range off Robben’s corner kick. Ochoa’s brilliant reflexes and positioning made sure that the shot was deflected off the post and away from danger.

Netherlands were starting to look more lively now but their final ball was letting them down. Sneijder had a chance get on the end of Robben’s cross but couldn’t reach it even while leaping at a full stretch. Mexico were now sitting back looking to counter-attack. On one such break, Peralta scored but was rightly ruled offside.

Robben went down in the box meekly and appealed for a penalty but the referee was not having any of that. Few minutes later, Robben again had a chance to go down in the box where he broke free and had a chance to run at the defender. But as the defender lunged in, Robben jumped over him and pulled a fine save off Ochoa. Robben was playing his role as a shadow striker well, but the striker Robin Van Persie was not having the best of days. He was completely isolated from the rest of the team. So, he was substituted for Huntelaar just before the cooling break.

After restart of play, Huntelaar volleyed Kuyt’s cross towards Ochoa but was caught offside. Then, two minutes before the end of normal time, Robben took a corner which was cushoned by Huntelaar but it went straight to Sneijder who volleyed it with such pace that Ochoa didn’t even move. Mexicans’ quarter-final dream collapsed in front of their eyes.

Mexico were led by Hernandez, in as a substitute for Peralta, who is notorious for his late goals for Manchester United. Both eams were trying their level best to not take the game into extra-time. About two minutes into stoppage time, Robben skipped past the Mexican left-back and got to the by-line. Before he could find a team-mate, he was fouled by the Mexican captain, Marquez.

It was a clear penalty, no doubt about it. Mexico who were two minutes + stoppage time away from reaching the quarter-finals, were now on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament. Huntelaar was over the ball. He sent the ‘keeper the wrong way and drilled it in into the bottom left corner. He couldn’t have hit it any better and so Netherlands are through to the quarter finals.

The Dutch will be over the moon with this victory. Mexico were punished for being overly defensive in the last 15 minutes. The reigning Olympic champions couldn’t hold their own against the Dutch attack led by the magnificent Robben who is playing some of his best football for his country.

But Vlaar and de Vrij need to tighten up at the back if they are looking to go all the way in this tournament as they have already conceded four goals in four matches. All in all, Mexico played great football but were done-in by the perseverance of the Dutch attackers especially Robben.