Brazil lost its opportunity to lift the sixth title. Now Netherlands will be waiting for Uruguay vs Ghana with half a ticket for the final after drinking the blood of a giant
It was expected for these giants to make a fascinating match, but the outcome was not what one would've though. A game of constant danger, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were the main responsibles for Oranje's success, while Dunga suffered the first disappointment in his career with the Verdeamarelhos.Netherlands vs Brazil - Brazil takes the lead
The first 10 minutes showed the best of Brazil. Thanks to Felipe Melo and Daniel Alves, Dunga's squad was winning the midfield's battle and the Oranje defenders could hardly keep up with the pace. At the seventh minute Luis Fabiano assisted Dani Alves who was deep into the left wing. He tried to connect a pass to Robinho but he was on off side (Only for a few inches, good catch for the line man) but the goal was about to come.
Felipe Melo's triumphal return to the starting squad recovered a lost ball in the midfield. He caught Robinho running free in-between lines and send a perfect ball which he caught on motion. There was nothing the dutch goalkeeper could do about it, and Brazil could relax and get the upper hand at the 10th minute.
From that moment on the Brazilians needed to rely on violence to keep Netherlands' ball flow controlled, with Michel Bastos and Juan committing most of the fouls. The first was finally cautioned on minute 36. Netherlands, on the other hand, could do nothing with the free kicks granted, as both Robbie Van Persie and Arjen Robben were unable to pose a threat to Julio Cesar. Wesley Sneijder had to stand against a constant mark by Dunga's impassable center backs, and asphyxiating the play maker appeared to be working wonders for the South Americans.
On minute 34 Arjen Robben tried to foul the Verdeamarelho's defense by taking a corner kick and merely touching the ball, waiting for Wesley Sneijder to go get it. But Internationale'z midfielder was distracted, while Daniel Alves could see Robben's trick. Blaugrana's winger recovered the ball and this way the dutch wasted another opportunity to even the score.Brazil could have ended the first half with a bigger advantage, as the European squad was insecure in the back line and Brazil's strikers are not known by their mercy. Daniel Alves, Michel Bastos and Maicon kept troubling the dutch at every inch of the field, while Kaka was yet a shadow. At the last minute Maicon could have scored his second goal in South Africa, but the ball went inches wide.
Second half: Dutch renaissance
At the beginning of the second half Arjen Robben kept simulating on his encounters with Michel Bastos. The referee call for a free kick: Robben run for the left wing and won once again Michel Bastos' back, he sent a high ball which Julio Cesar tried to deflect; Felipe Melo could not hear Brazil's goalkeeper shouting for the ball and so both players collided. Confusion run through Carioca's area, as Wesley Sneijder was running free in the area after his possible header. As the ball changed its course it seemed as it was Melo's header the one that sent the ball straight into the net. 1-1.
From that moment on Maicon assumed once again the lead of Brazil's defense, and his interaction with Dani Alves and Kaka was keeping Oranje's defense constantly busy. Dani had a fair shot at the 15th minute of the second half but once again the ball went away. After this Michel Bastos was substituted by Gilberto Melo, as Brazil's left winger was having problems in his personal fight against Arjen Robben.
Once again Netherlands caught Brazil unattended from the air. A corner kick that went straight to the first post was perfectly headed by Wesley Sneijder to the opposing post. Less than 6 feet high, Sneijder was becoming Netherlands' top striker in the hottest match in South Africa up to now.
Brazil could not recover nor the ball nor the confidence, and Arjen Robben was clearly boosted after the turn of events. Felipe Melo step violently over Robben and was forbidden to continue on the field. With 10 players Brazil was still having problems to control the ball. Both Robinho and Dani Alves were a nervous wreck, weakening Brazil's defense. Instead of going for the victory the Brazilians had to use all of their energies to stop Netherlands from opening a bigger gap. Dunga called for Nilmar to replace Luis Fabiano, gaining in speed and brutality, for O Fabuloso was isolated in the last meters without Kaka's assistance. On minute 36 Maicon had a corner kick that bounced all across Netherland's area, but no one was able to connect the ball against Maarten Stekelenburg's goal. The last 10 minutes were the most exciting ones in the match, with Kaka and Sneijder constantly threatening the goalkeepers, especially once Klaas-Jan Huntelaar took over Robbie Van Persie's place. AC Milan's striker didn't have that many balls in the match but his mere presence forced the Verdeamarelhos to be specially careful in their own area. Hunter's run in the last minute had three dutch strikers against Juan and Julio Cesar. The youngest player on the field assisted Arjen Robben, but Dani Alves appeared like a train from the back and recover the ball.
Brazil's players will have little time to pack their bags after an unexpected defeat. Wesley Sneijder joined Higuain and Villa at the top of the striking table, who will be facing Oranje's rage next week?
