Holland 2 Brazil 1

Friday, 02/07/2010

Holland pulled off the seemingly impossible this afternoon, as they came from behind to defeat ten-man Brazil.

Their reward for a fine comeback will be a semi-final tie against either Uruguay or Ghana and, therefore, one foot in the final - no offence to the two teams mentioned.

It was Wesley Sneijder who proved the star turn, scoring one and seeing a free-kick deflected home by Felipe Melo.

It wasn't Melo's day, as he was given his marching orders for a second yellow card as Brazil desperately tried to fight their way back into the game.

Dunga's men, praised widely for their new 'less flamboyant' system, will now head home and face the wrath of their press - who will now surely question the absence of Ronaldinho, for instance.

It had all started so well for them, though; opening the scoring with the simplest of moves.

Melo getting possession just inside the Dutch half, before pushing a simple through ball 20-yards ahead of him where Robinho was able to take his time before dispatching past Maarten Stekelenburg. Arjen Robben was the nearest 'defender'!

Holland, who were poor in the first half, struck back with a vengeance, though.

First Sneijder's free kick was missed by Julio Cesar, bouncing into the Brazil net off Melo's head.

Then, from another set piece, came the winner: Arjen Robben's corner was flicked on by Dirk Kuyt for Sneijder to head home and secure a famous victory.

What a season the Inter midfielder is having; will he be adding the World Cup to his treble secured in Italy?

Goals:

Robinho (10)

Felipe Melo (own goal, 53)

Sneijder (68)

Shoot Man of the Match: Sneijder.

For reports of previous matches at the tournament go to the International section.

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