Chris Maduewesi
Member
Netherlands left it late to score two late goals that secured qualification into the last eight of the competition,much to the disappointment of the Mexicans who would feel hard done by the result.
The game was played in a very hot Estádio Castelão stadium in Fortaleza that needed water breaks to ease off the heat on the players,with the temperature rising from 38.8 to 40 degrees in the course of the match.
Mexico seemed to be the favourites going by the weather which suited them more than the Europeans,and they started the brighter of both teams,looking more dangerous in attack.
Both Giovanni Dos Santos and Salcido came close to finding the net for Mexico in the first half,with the referee ignoring a high-footed challenge on Hector Herrera in the box.
Robin Van Persie was ineffective in attack for Holland as he almost slipped through the game unnoticed.
It was not surprising that Mexico went in front in the second half after Giovanni Dos Santos brought down a pass with his chest and volleyed in a long range shot that found its way into the net.
It was the first time in two years that Dos Santos has found the net for Mexico.
Holland pressed and mounted pressure for a goal but Guillermo Ochoa was at his usual best to repel the Dutch team.
Louis Van Gaal showed that he has got courage when he pulled out the ineffective Van Persie for Klaas Jan Hunterlaar,despite being a goal down.
Mexico defended astutely but they couldn't hold out for the entire duration of the game as they conceded three minutes to time.
Wesley Sneijder stabbed in a low shot down the net after Ochoa appeared to have been crowded by a sea of bodies for the equalizer.
With the game looking like it was headed for extra time,Arjen Robben cut into the Mexican defence from the right and Rafael Marquez with a clumsy challenge fouled the Bayern Munich winger,although replays suggests that he overreacted.
Hunterlaar sent Ochoa the wrong way and netted the winner in stoppage time for the Orange.
It was a big blow for Miguel Herrera's team who looked like they were on their way to be playing in the last eight.
Mexico have now been knocked out of the World Cup finals at the second round stage in all six editions since 1994.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia