FIFA14 Day 12 Report: The most predictable outcomes so far in the World Cup 2014. Andrew Stephens I might have still got the Mexico game wrong :p. Neymar surpassses Ronaldinho as Brazils all-time best scorer with 34 goals. Spain restores a semblance of pride as they dump out the Socceroos... Villa weeps. The Oranjes show glimpses of brilliance in a virtually dead rubber. 1) Netherlands vs Chile (2,0): Netherlands defeated Chile 2-0 in Sao Paulo on Monday to make it three wins from as many games and secure top spot in World Cup Group B. The Netherlands went into the game knowing a point would be enough to secure top spot, and they defended accordingly. But they also possessed an attacking threat. Substitutes Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay netted on 77 and 90 minutes, respectively, to secure the win. With top spot in Group B at stake, it was an understandably cagey opening to the contest in Sao Paulo. Chile enjoyed plenty of early possession and fashioned a couple of openings with flighted balls into the box, but both Eduardo Vargas and Felipe Gutierrez failed to direct their headers on target. With Robin van Persie sidelined due to suspension, Arjen Robben was Netherlands key attacking outlet.He gave two glimpses of his outstanding ability in the first half. On 35 minutes, he whipped in a delicious free-kick that caused panic in the Chile box. Stefan de Vrij showed great desire to meet the ball but was just unable to rise high enough to direct it on target. On 40 minutes, it was Robbens dynamism that was on show. Picking the ball up on the halfway line, the Bayern Munich winger powered forward at pace, sucking in defenders and then simply skipping past them. The only thing lacking was a crisp finish, as he dragged his shot narrowly wide of the far post. With a draw favouring the Dutch in the battle for top spot, Chile were in greater need of the win. The pattern of play reflected this, with Chile keen to move the ball forward at pace. However, chances proved hard to come by as the Dutch defended with rugged authority. Netherlands were content to play on the break, and they advanced at pace on 67 minutes, with Robben forcing a save out of Claudio Bravo.Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal threw on Depay and Fer, and they proved to be the key men in the match-winning goal. The Dutchs defensive resolve was enough to keep Chile at bay in the final 10 minutes, and they capped the win with a goal in injury time through Depay. It was Robbens blinding pace that set up the goal, as he dashed to the byline and pulled the ball back for Depay to apply the finish, securing top spot in the process. They now await the second-placed side in Group A, which is likely to be Mexico or Croatia. If results from Group A play out as expected, Chile will face host nation Brazil in the last 16. 2) Cameroon vs Brazil (1,4): Brazil came to life in the 2014 World Cup with a 4-1 win over Cameroon on Monday to secure the top spot in Group A. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men had been distinctly unimpressive in their opening two games, but they turned on the style in Brasilia. Neymar helped himself to two more goals, while Fred broke his duck for the competition and Fernandinho added a late fourth to set up a second-round meeting with Chile. It was not all plain sailing for Brazil, as Joel Matip briefly had Cameroon level at 1-1—with his goal highlighting defensive flaws that could prove to be the host nation’s undoing later in the tournament. Brazil were lackluster in the 0-0 draw with Mexico, but the lightning start they made in Brasilia on Monday indicated there was never likely to be a repeat. A blistering move in the third minute threw down the marker. Neymar fed Hulk who produced a clever pass for Fred, but the striker’s effort was charged down. Hulk, who was a key absentee against Mexico, was in the thick of the action and he found Fred once more shortly afterward, but again the forward’s effort was saved. Cameroon have been one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament, but they threatened to spring to life and spoil the Brazil party on 10 minutes. A drive from Vincent Aboubakar looked bound for the bottom corner, but it was hacked clear by the retreating Marcelo. Brazil weathered a bit of a storm before striking in clinical style on 17 minutes. Cameroon were caught in possession in their own half, and they were made to pay a heavy price as Luiz Gustavo delivered a low ball in and Neymar executed a glorious finish into the bottom corner. Brazils cavalier approach saw them seek out more goals to thrill the home fans, and a slick passing move on 84 minutes resulted in Fernandinho toe-poking home a fourth. It wasnt really a test for Brazil from the moment Fred grabbed the third. It is sure to be a test when they take on Chile in the second round. Chile were beaten by Brazil at the same stage four years ago, but Jorge Sampaolis side are a far tougher prospect and will expose any flaws in the Brazilian defence. 3) Croatia vs Mexico (1,3): Mexico surged into the World Cups knockout stage for a sixth straight time Monday with a 3-1 win over Croatia. Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier Chicharito Hernandez scored in a 10-minute span in the second half, dooming a talented Croatia side to elimination from the group stage. The Croats had to win to advance and held the bulk of possession, but had trouble seriously threatening goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kept out all efforts until an 87th-minute consolation goal from Ivan Perisic. Mexico entered the game needing only a draw, and looked dangerous in attack, but was kept out until the three-goal burst. The result gave Mexico a second-place finish behind Brazil in Group A and set up a second-round meeting with Group B winner the Netherlands. Nerves ran high for both sides following a scoreless first half, but El Tri took control of the match with three goals in 10 minutes, beginning with Marquezs opener 18 minutes from time. With the win, Mexico finished second in Group A with seven points, behind group winners Brazil on goal difference. El Tri will now face the Netherlands, who won Group B with a perfect record, in the Round of 16. This is the sixth straight time Mexico have qualified for the knockout round, a run dating back to 1994. And despite struggling through qualification, Miguel Herreras side will be full of confidence after impressing throughout group play. Croatia, meanwhile, finished third in the group with three points. Niko Kovacs side needed a win over Mexico to advance, but instead bowed out in disappointing fashion. 4) Spain vs Australia (3,0): Spain at least ensured the end of their golden era finished with a 3-0 victory as they saw off Australia in their Group B match in Curitiba. David Villa, one of a number of stars from an historic generation who will now call time on their international careers, scored his 59th and final international goal with one last touch of class before Fernando Torres and substitute Juan Mata made it comfortable after the break. With critics quick to sound the death knell for the Spanish tiki-taka style it was perhaps fitting two of the countrys key players in their success over the last six years contributed to the opening goal. However, it was less about the number of passes than the weight of the one that Andres Iniesta, winning his 100th cap, delivered inside left-back Jason Davidson to allow the overlapping Juanfran to cross for Villa to backheel past Maty Ryan. Villa was replaced by Mata 10 minutes after half-time but his slow walk to the touchline was of a disappointed man resigned to the passing of time and not one milking the limelight one final time. Upon reaching the bench he sat with his head in his hands for several moments. The 32-year-old, who has left Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid to sign for New York City in the Major Soccer League, was making his first appearance of the tournament and he was one of Spains brightest performers. With captain Xavi injured and Iker Casillas dropped, meaning both have almost certainly played in their last World Cup and perhaps their final international game too, Spain made seven changes in total. That allowed Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina, who spent last season on loan at Napoli, to make his World Cup debut nine years after first appearance for the national side. He was barely troubled as the tournaments lowest-ranked side -- missing suspended talisman Tim Cahill -- failed to have any impact against the nation ranked number one before it all kicked off after three successive major tournament triumphs. But with the defending champions knowing they were heading home even before this encounter and many considering their long-term futures, there was a real lack of spark. Midway through the first half Villa sliced wide Iniestas cross before his clever backheel teed up left-back Jordi Alba to fire straight at the goalkeeper. That backheel was employed to more devastating effect in the 36th minute when Iniesta sent right-back Juanfran racing to the touchline and, although his cut-back was slightly behind the unmarked striker, Villa diverted in the ball around his standing leg. Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, expected to be a key figure in Spains future rebuilding, had a low long-range drive tipped wide by Ryan but it was one of the old-stagers unlocked the Socceroos defence again. Iniestas through-ball split Australias two centre-halves and Chelsea striker Torres -- the man who began Spains gold rush with the winner in the final of Euro 2008 -- ran in from the left to slide home the second before Mata converted from close range with eight minutes remaining.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:28:54 +0000
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