There was late drama in both of yesterday’s last 16 fixtures, but few late turnarounds can match Mexico’s loss to the Netherlands.
Natacha Pisarenko
Natacha Pisarenko
With two minutes remaining, Mexico looked like they would survive the searing heat in Fortaleza with a 48th minute lead courtesy of Giovani Dos Santos.
However, after Guillermo Ochoa was forced into more heroic saves, Holland finally made the breakthrough with a perfectly-struck volley from Wesley Sneijder.
The reversal was compelte when Arjen Robben was tripped by Rafael Marquez after checking in from the by-line and Klaas Jan Hunelaarlived up to his name and showed incredible composure to tuck the 94th minute penalty home.
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EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
The late game didn’t promise much, but much like Brazil v Chile, it at least delivered in the drama stakes.
Socratis Papastathopoulos grabbed a late leveller in normal time for Greece after Bryan Ruiz had swept his side into the lead eight minutes after the break.
Costa Rica, having topped group D were forced to end the game hanging on as Oscar Duarte picked up a second yellow card. But on they battled through extra-time and forced a penalty shootout; where they were in unstoppable form.
Winner
After watching Mexico crash out, Costa Rica kept the CONCACAF flag flying with an astounding display of energy and application.They looked out on their feet, but they managed to convert all five penalties in the shootout with Keylor Navas making the one all-important save.
The surprised package of this World Cup will now face Holland in the last eight having come through unscathed against Greece, England Italy and Uruguay.
L̶o̶s̶e̶r̶ second winner
Sorry if this sounds soft, but nobody in the four teams on show yesterday could be cast as a loser. Mexico and Greece were excellent until they came up just short at the death, so the second winner is Louis Van Gaal.
The Holland coach was brave enough to give his captain the shepherd’s crook after 76 minutes and instead sent on Klaas Jan Huntelaar who provided an assist and and ice-cold penalty to set the Oranje up with a quarter-final clash against this tournament’s big outsiders.
Joga Bonito
Contact or no contact, you can criticise Arjen Robben for diving, but when he can turn on the after-burners and hurdle challenges after 78 minutes playing in 38-degree heat, you’ve got to give him a little credit.
Oh, and this vine also includes one of Ochoa’s many excellent saves.
https://vine.co/v/MF6EaErVinV
What we’ve got to look forward to today
The last African teams left in the competition are up against the continental European giants. Nigeria take on France at 5pm and the late game is (many people’s new favourites) Germany against Algeria.
Breakfast at Bebeto's: All you need to know from last night’s World Cup action
On Day 18…
There was late drama in both of yesterday’s last 16 fixtures, but few late turnarounds can match Mexico’s loss to the Netherlands.
With two minutes remaining, Mexico looked like they would survive the searing heat in Fortaleza with a 48th minute lead courtesy of Giovani Dos Santos.
However, after Guillermo Ochoa was forced into more heroic saves, Holland finally made the breakthrough with a perfectly-struck volley from Wesley Sneijder.
The reversal was compelte when Arjen Robben was tripped by Rafael Marquez after checking in from the by-line and Klaas Jan Hunelaarlived up to his name and showed incredible composure to tuck the 94th minute penalty home.
The late game didn’t promise much, but much like Brazil v Chile, it at least delivered in the drama stakes.
Socratis Papastathopoulos grabbed a late leveller in normal time for Greece after Bryan Ruiz had swept his side into the lead eight minutes after the break.
Costa Rica, having topped group D were forced to end the game hanging on as Oscar Duarte picked up a second yellow card. But on they battled through extra-time and forced a penalty shootout; where they were in unstoppable form.
Winner
After watching Mexico crash out, Costa Rica kept the CONCACAF flag flying with an astounding display of energy and application.They looked out on their feet, but they managed to convert all five penalties in the shootout with Keylor Navas making the one all-important save.
The surprised package of this World Cup will now face Holland in the last eight having come through unscathed against Greece, England Italy and Uruguay.
L̶o̶s̶e̶r̶ second winner
Sorry if this sounds soft, but nobody in the four teams on show yesterday could be cast as a loser. Mexico and Greece were excellent until they came up just short at the death, so the second winner is Louis Van Gaal.
The Holland coach was brave enough to give his captain the shepherd’s crook after 76 minutes and instead sent on Klaas Jan Huntelaar who provided an assist and and ice-cold penalty to set the Oranje up with a quarter-final clash against this tournament’s big outsiders.
Joga Bonito
Contact or no contact, you can criticise Arjen Robben for diving, but when he can turn on the after-burners and hurdle challenges after 78 minutes playing in 38-degree heat, you’ve got to give him a little credit.
Oh, and this vine also includes one of Ochoa’s many excellent saves.
https://vine.co/v/MF6EaErVinV
What we’ve got to look forward to today
The last African teams left in the competition are up against the continental European giants. Nigeria take on France at 5pm and the late game is (many people’s new favourites) Germany against Algeria.
As it happened: Costa Rica v Greece, World Cup last 16
Analysis: How Holland came from behind to beat Mexico
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Adios Chile Greece Klaas Jan Huntelaar Netherlands top klaas World Cup 2014