Brazil 0, Netherlands 3: Dutch crush hosts in Brasilia

Brazil loses two straight home games for the first time in 74 years, falling 3-0 to the Netherlands in Brasilia.

The Dutch became the first side to ever field all 23 players at a World Cup, ending Brazil’s tournament in devastating fashion. Neymar looked on from the bench, providing the perfect snapshot of a quest gone terribly wrong.

The Goals

GOAL! Robin van Persie (NED) 3 min. Thiago Silva brings down Arjen Robben just outside the box, but referee Djamel Haimoudi decides otherwise, awarding a penalty and showing Silva a yellow. Robin van Persie converts to give the Dutch an early lead. Brazil is lucky to escape with only a yellow card, even if the penalty decision is harsh and incorrect. Brazil catches a break, sort of.

GOAL! Daley Blind (NED) 17 min. Brazil’s defensive horror show continues. David Luiz attempts to clear the ball with a header in his own box. “Attempts” being the key word, as Luiz sends it right to an unmarked Daley Blind. The 24-year-old has plenty of time to square himself, easily beating Julio Cesar to make things even worse for the hosts, if that was even possible. This is Blind’s first ever international goal.

GOAL! Georginio Wijnaldum (NED) 90 min. One final dagger for Brazil. Robben plays through Daryl Janmaat on the right wing. The substitute finds Wijnaldum unmarked in the box. Julio Cesar has no chance. Stop the fight, Mr. Referee.

The Man of the Match - Arjen Robben

Controversy seems to follow the Bayern Munich star around. Three minutes in Robben was involved in the most important play of the game, drawing an idiotic foul from Silva.

It wasn’t a penalty, but that’s of no concern to Robben, who gave opposing defenders nightmares throughout the tournament. After the early burst Robben wasn’t asked to do much, occasionally looking to test Brazil’s meek defense.

The Controversy

Haimoudi got the first important call of the game very wrong. Thiago Silva should’ve been sent off  and the Dutch should’ve had a free kick just outside the box.

Instead the Dutch took an early lead on a penalty, and the Brazilians trudged forward with 11 men. Surely, things would’ve played out differently if the correct decision was made three minutes into the game, even if the outcome was the same.

What did the Netherlands do to win?

The Dutch were anything but great, they did take advantage of Brazil's miscues in the early stages of the match.

Louis van Gaal’s side capitalized on those mistakes, and never looked back. This wasn’t so much a competitive match as it was an international friendly. Enough with the third place game.

The Takeaway

Somehow this was even more cringe worthy than we imagined before the game started. What started as amusing quickly became sad, as Brazil’s last game of the tournament mirrored the disaster against Germany.

For the first time in 74 years Brazil loses consecutive home matches. They end their tournament not with a bang, but a resounding thud. What a mess.

The 1,000 Words

Stray Thoughts

Robin van Persie’s penalty was the 100th goal conceded by Brazil in World Cup competition.

Oscar was shown the first yellow card for simulation at this World Cup. He was clearly fouled by Daley Blind on the play.

Brazil conceded the most goals (14) in the tournament. Defense remains important.

van Gaal inserted Michel Vorm late in the game for Jasper Cillessen, ensuring that every member of the Dutch team got playing time at this World Cup. The Netherlands becomes the first country to field all 23 players at a World Cup.

The Netherlands finish unbeaten in regular play (5-2-0) for the first time at a World Cup.

At least we got a good meme out of this game.