The public is looking forward to a spectacle of football after Brazil vs Chile and Colombia vs Uruguay provided thrills on Saturday. The Dutch are arguably the best side at this year’s tournament. They kicked off their campaign in the most stunning manner, humiliating titleholders Spain 5-1. On Matchday 2, they almost gave in to Australia’s resilience but ended up winning 3-2. A strong performance by Arjen Robben inspired the Oranje to squeeze Chile 2-0 and win Group B, setting a date with Mexico in the Round of 16.
For El Tri, things are working well although they have suffered a number of questionable calls by match officials. Despite getting two goals by Dos Santos wrongly disallowed in their opening game against Cameroon, the Mexicans picked up maximum points thanks to a 1-0 victory courtesy of an Oribe Peralta goal. Memo Ochoa’s unbelievable performance in post helped the CONCACAF warriors hold Brazil to a goalless draw in their second fixture before triumphing against Croatia in their final group game.
The winner of the Netherlands vs Mexico fixture will meet either Costa Rica or Greece on July 5, 2014 in the quarter-finals of the on-going FIFA World Cup.
The Netherlands’ First XI: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Blind, De Jong, Van Persie (c), Sneijder, Robben, Verhaegh, Kuyt, Wijnaldum
Mexico’s First XI: Ochoa, Rodriguez, Salcido, Marquez (c), Herrera, Layun, Dos Santos, Moreno, Guardado, Peralta, Aguilar
