WE’VE REACHED THE final round of group games.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail ben@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
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We’re already at the halfway point of this year’s World Cup but no one can deny that the vast majority of the first 32 matches have been hugely entertaining.
It’s down to the business end of the group stages and first up is Group B, where the Netherlands and Chile go head-to-head in a bit to earn top spot having already booked their places in the last 16 with two wins each.
The Dutch have better goal difference so will finish first with a draw. That would see them meet the runners-up in Group A.
In the other game, defending champions Spain and Australia, both eliminated, face off in Curitiba.
Team news:
Netherlands: Cillessen, Vlaar. De Vrij, Blind, De Jong, Janmaat, Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt, Lens, Wijnaldum.
Chile: Bravo, Mena, Isla, Silva, Sanchez, Vargas, Gutierrez, Medel, Jara, Aranguiz, Diaz.
De Telegraaf splashed with a recipe for cooking chilli (or Chile) today:
Not a ‘Van’ in sight…
We’ve got line-ups for Spain v Australia too and there’s a rare start for Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina:
Spain: Reina, Albiol, Juanfran, Iniesta, Villa, Torres, Alonso, Ramos, Koke, Alba, Cazorla.
Australia: Ryan, Davidson, Spiranovic, Leckie, Taggart, Oar, Bozanic, Jedinak, McKay, McGowan, Wilkinson.
The players coming out in Curitiba with Sergio Ramos captaining Spain. That one is being streamed on RTE.ie.
Here’s the picture in Sao Paulo:
And we’ve kicked off. I’ll be focusing on the meeting of Holland and Chile but will bring you all the incidents from the other match.
Dirk Kuyt stands on the leg of Gary Medel, which upsets the Cardiff City player. I’m not sure it’s wise to get on the wrong side of a man nicknamed “The Pitbull”.
Jim Beglin on Spain wearing their black kit: “I think it’s suitable because they’re in mourning.”
Chile have enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening minutes and are content to spray the passes around the backline. The couple of balls they’ve tried to get their attackers in haven’t worked out.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, are yet to get going and have been restricted to two free-kicks launched into the box, which were easily dealt with.
Mena sends his cross into the front post where Vargas arrives first to but heads off-target.
Mena gets joy on the left flank again and squares to Aranguiz. The Internacional midfielder looks to flick the ball on but can’t find a team-mate.
Not much to report from Curitiba but David Villa has just snatched at a volley on his left foot after being picked out at the back post. Moments later, Matt Ryan saves from Jordi Alba.
Blind makes a challenge in the box but gets it right and pokes the ball away from Aranguiz. Chile make claims that it should be a penalty but it’s a good decision from the referee.
Jara fouls Robben and the Dutch have a set-piece on the edge of the box. The Bayern Munich man curls the ball brilliantly to the back post and De Vrij makes contact but heads wide. Their best chance so far.
GOAL! Australia 0-1 Spain (David Villa 36′)
Juanfran gets to the endline and crosses to Villa, who makes no mistake in backheeling past Ryan and the Spaniards are ahead.
Robben storms past a number of challenges and drags his shot the wrong side of the post.
Half-time: Netherlands 0-0 Chile
Jean Beausejour of Wigan Athletic is coming on for Gutierrez. The second half has just started.
It looks like the end of David Villa’s international career. He is heading off to be replaced by Juan Mata. 59 goals in 97 games, one European championship and a World Cup… Not bad, eh?
Sanchez beats Blind in a race to a ball over the top. Cillessen comes storming out of his goal and makes contact with the Barcelona man. Penalty not given.
Robben sets off on another run and blasts a shot at goal but it’s straight at Bravo.
GOAL! Australia 0-2 Spain (Fernando Torres 60′)
Iniesta plays in Torres and the Chelsea striker slides the ball past Ryan to double Spain’s advantage.
15 minutes to play in Sao Paulo and it seems as if both sides would be content with a 0-0 draw. I hope I’m proven wrong.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Chile (Leroy Fer 77′)
I spoke too soon. Norwich City midfielder Leroy Fer, only on for Wesley Sneijder, powers home a header for his first senior international goal.
https://vine.co/v/MtmrWTm0pVr
GOAL! Australia 0-3 Spain (Juan Mata)
Substitute Juan Mata makes sure that Spain are going home with a win under their belts. The Manchester United schemer is in acres of space when a cross finds him and cheekily slips it through the legs of Ryan.
Feyenoord’s Terence Kongolo replaces Dirk Kuyt, who was down suffering from cramp a few minutes ago.
No. 8 for Holland looks good :)
She is good upfront.
Its a no.1 because shes definitely a keeper
Is it dirk Kurt? The king of donkeys
You could tell by spains lineup that they are out.
….of the competition
This should be a cracker
Who is the new rte pundit? Complete misfit. He does not swear. He seems sober. He talks in more bbc-esque cliches. I want my television license few back now.
Is Spain Australia on TV?
The contrast in colour within the stadium is great to look at .. the red and orange of Chile and Holland respectively and then the yellow of Brazil. Fantastic support by the home nation for all games despite the apparent unrest amongst the people due to the countries economic situation
Football and sport unite :)
Its a no. 1 because shes definitely a keeper
Own goal