Netherlands win all 3 matches to storm into next round
Group Stage
Group B, Match 6
Netherlands scored twice in the second half to seal Group B top spot over Chile with a 2-0 victory on Monday, with goals from Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay keeping their 100 per cent record intact, reports Goal.com.
The pair found the net inside the last 15 minutes to settle a largely forgettable encounter in Sao Paulo and ensure that Louis van Gaal's men will likely avoid host nation Brazil in the last 16.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. A meeting of two of the competition's most eye-catching teams had been highly anticipated, yet it had failed to live up to its billing before late heroics from Fer and Memphis.
Indeed, with the Netherlands - shorn of suspended star striker Robin van Persie and requiring just a draw - opting for a cautious approach, two counter-attacking sides largely cancelled each other out.
But it was always Van Gaal's men who had looked the most likely to secure victory, with their third successive triumph ultimately coming from two unlikely sources.
Chile, though, can still take solace from having already secured their spot in the knockout phase, where it seems certain Croatia or Mexico await.
With both sides sitting back, the game lacked any real ingenuity during the opening exchanges.
It was Chile who created the first opening, Eduardo Vargas heading over the crossbar.
The South Americans were beginning to enjoy the better of proceedings and came close to breaking the deadlock when Felipe Gutierrez curled over after being picked out by Alex Sanchez's clever corner.
But Louis van Gaal's men responded well, enjoying a good spell towards the end of the opening period.
Netherlands' endeavour almost brought reward, too, as Stefan de Vrij headed Arjen Robben's vicious, curling free kick wide.
Suddenly started making his presence felt, Robben illustrated his vast quality when picking up the ball inside his own half before beating two players and shooting narrowly wide.
The game was taking on an end-to-end nature, epitomised by an unmarked Gutierrez back-heading wide from Marcelo Diaz's set-piece.
Any momentum built up before the break had disappeared afterwards as both sides struggled to fashion opportunities, the desperation best summed up when Sanchez hit wildly over from 35 yards.
Robben still looked the likeliest of the Netherlands' attacking players, firing straight at Claudio Bravo after wriggling into space in the box.
Bravo had to be on high alert with 15 minutes to go, turning Memphis' 20-yard effort over the crossbar.
Yet he could do little moments later as Fer met Daryl Janmaat's centre with a bullet header that flew into the corner.
Chile responded with expected verve, yet that desire to force an equaliser ultimately proved their undoing as Robben tricked his way down the left and squared superbly for Memphis to tap home in injury-time.
Man of the Match: A Robben (NED)
Match Commentary - as it hapened
The referee blows his whistle and that is that. The Netherlands win Group B and appear in ominous form for the rest of the tournament. It was a war of attrition at times but the class of Robben, who was instrumental in the victory, told in the end.
90` + 2` Assist Arjen Robben
90` + 2` Goal Memphis Depay
DEPAY SEALS IT FOR THE DUTCH!! The Netherlands are definitely Group B winners now. Robben breaks free down the left and pulls the ball back for Depay, who scores his second goal in as many games to ensure top spot for Van Gaal's side.
90` + 1` Three minutes added on in Sao Paulo.
89` Substitution: Dirk Kuyt out, Terence Kongolo in,
89` But for all their efforts to find an equaliser, Chile look to be heading for defeat unless there is a late twist.
87` More pressure from Chile as they force consecutive corners yet again. The Netherlands remain solid defensively and clear both.
85` Big shouts for a penalty as substitute Mauricio Pinilla goes down in the box. The offside flag had already been raised, though, and the Netherlands survive.
83` Chile have seven minutes to rescue something from this fixture or they could be in line for a daunting second-round clash with hosts Brazil.
81` Substitution: Eduardo Vargas out, Mauricio Pinilla in.
81` Almost an own goal by De Jong. The Netherlands midfielder reacts quickest to another corner but his header is a poor one, it strikes De Vrij on the arm on the line, however, Chile's shouts for handball are waved away.
79` Chile have responded well to going behind and win a corner, which is cleared behind for another by Nigel de Jong.
77` Assist Daryl Janmaat
77`Goal Leroy Fer
FER!!! The substitute makes an instant impact!! Robben plays the corner short to Daryl Janmaat, whose excellent ball finds Fer who, with his first touch of the game, powers a header past a helpless Bravo. The Netherlands are on course to win Group B!
76` BRILLIANT SAVE FROM BRAVO!! The substitute Depay unleashes an excellent shot from range, however, Bravo is equal to it and tips the ball over the bar.
75` Substitution: Wesley Sneijder out, Leroy Fer in.
75` Robben whips the corner in and finds Dirk Kuyt, whose header drifts well wide of the goal.
74` Sneijder's set-piece is a good one but Chile clear the ball behind for a corner.
73` Another free-kick in a dangerous area for the Netherlands. Will this bring the opener?
71` So with under 20 minutes to play the Netherlands are going to win Group B, while Chile - unless they can find a goal soon - will have to settle for second.
70` Substitution: F. Silva out, J. Valdivia in.
70` Now Chile playmaker Jorge Valdivia is on for Silva. A positive switch from Sampaoli.
69` Substitution: Jeremain Lens out, Memphis Depay in.
68` The Netherlands make a change. Memphis Depay, hero of the 3-2 win over Australia, is on for the Netherlands in place of Lens.
66` The game is beginning to open up a bit. Robben draws a save from Bravo with a low drive.
65` Sanchez skillfully works his way past Medel on the byline but his powerful shot is punched away by Cillessen.
64` Yellow Card Daley Blind
64` Daley Blind is booked for a foul on Sanchez.
62` The Netherlands continue to probe and push for an opener without any success. Both teams, to their credit, have been very strong defensively.
60` Still no goals as we approach the hour mark, a situation that suits the Netherlands perfectly.
58` Another wave of noise from the Chile fans as they look to rally their team. Jorge Sampaoli's men need to craft something sooner rather than later.
56` Sanchez goes for goal from distance but his effort was never going to trouble Jasper Cillessen.
54` The second half has largely been played in Chile's half to this point. A marked change from the opening 45 minutes.
52` Ron Vlaar lumps the ball down field aimlessly and Van Gaal isn't happy about it. The Dutch coach leaps from the dugout to let his centre-back know it.
50` The Netherlands seem to be pressing higher and with more intent in the early stages of this half. An intriguing start to the period from Louis van Gaal's men.
48` Chile have made one change at the interval, by the way, with midfielder Jean Beausejour replacing Gutierrez. Will that have any impact on Chile's fortunes going forward?
46` Substitution: F. Gutiérrez out, Jean Beausejour in.
46` Kuyt whips a good ball into the box but no Dutch player is able to get a touch. Positive from the Netherlands.
46`The Netherlands get the second half underway!
It is the Netherlands who will perhaps be the happier of the two teams heading into the next 45 minutes with the game still there for the taking. Chile need to create more clear-cut chances if they are to top Group B. Be sure not to miss what looks set to be a fascinating second half.
An interesting half but no goals at the interval in Sao Paulo. Chile have controlled the play but it is the Netherlands that have perhaps had the better opportunities.
45` + 1` We're into the additional minute at the end of the first half.
44` Huge chance for Chile as Marcelo Diaz's free-kick finds an unmarked Gutierrez, who heads wide from point-blank range.
42` Chile lose the ball in midfield again and Lens races on to it. His effort from range is disappointing, though, as he fires way over.
40` ALMOST A SPECTACULAR GOAL FROM ROBBEN!! The Bayern Munich winger picks up the ball close to the halfway line on the right-hand side and sprints into the area with blistering pace, he cuts on to his left foot but his shot flies narrowly wide of the post.
37` Shouts for a penalty as Dirk Kuyt appears to bring down Sanchez in the box. The Gambian referee waves away the claims, though, and replays suggest he made the right call.
35` Robben bends a much better delivery into the box from a free-kick on the right side. Stefan de Vrij connects at the far post but his header flies high and wide.
33` Chile lose the ball in a dangerous area. Robben surges towards the edge of the area and has options to his right and left but wastes the chance with an awful final ball.
30` Half an hour played and no real sign of a goal from either side. This one has yet to live up to expectations.
28` Fantastic noise from the Chile fans once again. They are enjoying the occasion despite having little to shout about in this one as yet.
26` Francisco Silva is booked for a foul on Jeremain Lens. Sneijder goes for goal from range but his shot doesn't trouble Claudio Bravo.
25` Yellow Card F. Silva
24` The Netherlands have yet to really get into this game yet. However, as long as Chile continue to miss the target, then there is no need for the Dutch to panic.
22`
Alexis Sanchez's well-worked corner falls to Felipe Gutierrez, but the midfielder can only curl an effort over the crossbar.
21` The free-kick is whipped deep into the path of Mena, who wins a corner. More pressure from Chile.
20` Wesley Sneijder fouls Vargas and Chile have a free-kick in a promising area.
18` Lovely football from Chile. Eugenio Mena gets down the left flank and cuts the ball back to the edge of the area. Charles Aranguiz flicks the ball on for Vargas but the striker cannot connect.
16` It is easy to tell which team has the greater number of fans present in Sao Paulo. Whistles rain down from the stands almost every time the Netherlands touch the ball. The Chilean supporters are making themselves heard.
14` Chile slowly starting to get in behind the Dutch defence. Can they take advantage of their control on the game?
12` Eduardo Vargas heads well over from a cross. It has taken 12 minutes, but we have finally had our first effort on goal.
10` For a side that needs victory to win the group there isn't a great deal of urgency from Chile. They are favouring the more patient approach but have yet to create any real openings so far.
8` The Netherlands win a free-kick midway inside the Chile half that falls to nothing. Excitement is at a premium so far.
6` It's Chile who are dictating play so far. The Netherlands seem content to sit back and allow their South American counterparts to have the ball.
4` Arjen Robben is penalised for catching Gary Medel with his arm when controlling the ball. Looked a little harsh.
3` The two teams still feeling each other out in the early stages. Nothing in the way of goalmouth action as yet.
1` Chile get us underway!
Commentary & Report: Goal dot com
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