Dutch late-show seals progression

The Central Americans produced a spirited performance against the 2010 runners up, going in front thanks to a superbly struck Giovanni Dos Santos effort just after the half-time interval. Yet the Dutch rallied, drawing level with just two minutes left on the clock thanks to a vicious Wesley Sneijder strike, before Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s penalty in stoppage time completed the comeback to send the Oranje through.
Mexico started the stronger of the two sides in a hot and humid Fortaleza, creating the best chance on 17 minutes as Dos Santos cut the ball back from the right for Oribe Peralta, who layed it off for team mate Hector Herrera whose shot went narrowly wide.
Mexican defender Carlos Salcido then stung the palms of a busy Jasper Cillesson in the Dutch posts six minutes later as the Oranje goalkeeper turned the shot out wide for a corner.
The Netherlands’ best chance of the half came on 24 minutes as Robin van Persie was played in behind the Mexican defence, yet the Manchester United striker struck his effort wide with his weaker right foot.
A three-minute cooling break was called just after the half-hour mark – the first official cooling break ever at a World Cup – as the heat took its toll on the European side especially, as Mexico finished the half on the front foot, Dos Santos forcing a save from Cillesson at his near post three minutes before half-time.
Mexico’s first-half opportunities eventually produced an end-product early in the second period as the lively Dos Santos picked up a loose ball to finish with a sweet shot from the edge of the D as El Tri took a well-deserved lead.
This was the wake-up call the Dutch needed as they almost draw level from a corner nine minutes later, Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa pushing a Stefan De Vrij goal-bound effort onto the post as the Oranje went in search of the equaliser.
Ochoa produced another good save on 74 minutes, this time from Arjen Robben’s right-footed strike as the Dutch winger became more and more of an attacking threat on the Mexican goal after a relatively quiet first period.
And the Dutch pressure eventually paid off as their tenth corner just two minutes from time fell at the feet of the on-rushing Wesley Sneijder, who struck home with a ferocious effort to open his World Cup 2014 account and draw his side level.
And just five minutes later, the Dutch were awarded a penalty after Robben was clipped on the edge of the area. Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar stepped up and converted the spot kick to complete the turn-around in extra time, sending the Dutch through by the skin of their teeth, while Mexico are sent packing in the Last 16 for the sixth consecutive time at a World Cup.