By Erwin Wong/Red Sports
South Africa, Friday, July 2, 2010 — Tournament favourites Brazil crashed out of the World Cup when Holland came from a goal down to win 2-1 in a quarter-final tie.
Brazil had eliminated the Dutch team in consecutive World Cup knockout rounds in the 1990s, and looked on course to make it three in a row. They started brightly and had a goal disallowed after seven minutes when Dani Alves was marginally offside in the build up.
Brazil carried on their good work and scored one that counted just two minutes later. Left-sided midfielder Felipe Melo began his highly-eventful afternoon when his immaculate through-ball right into the heart of the Dutch defence found a lurking Robinho, who side-footed in his second goal of the competition.
Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg did well to prevent a Kaka curler that was heading towards the top corner in the 31st minute, and Maicon missed a great chance to double his team’s lead on the stroke of half-time when his firmly-hit shot found only the side netting.
The Netherlands were without a real chance at goal at this point, but somehow found themselves on level terms after 52 minutes rather fortuitously. A Wesley Sneijder cross was swung into the Brazil box and as goalkeeper Julio Cesar and Melo went for the same ball, the latter had the final touch to deflect it into the Brazil goal.
Holland made it 2-1 on 67 minutes, and once again, fingers had to be pointed at the Brazil defence. Arjen Robben’s corner was headed on by Dirk Kuyt to an unmarked Sneijder, who promptly headed home his third of the competition despite the presence of several blue-shirted Brazilians in the six-yard box.
Brazil now had to chase the match, and their task was compounded by Melo’s sacking in the 73rd minute. His stamp on a fallen Robben he had just fouled left referee Yuichi Nishimura with no choice but to brandish the straight red card.
Brazil were unable to really threaten Stekelenburg’s goal after that, and Holland could have even added to their tally on the break. They fluffed a three-on-one situation deep into injury time, but were not made to pay as the final whistle soon after confirmed Brazil’s repeat showing of their 2006 quarter-final exit.
Holland are now in their first semi-final since 1998, when they were beaten on penalties by Brazil, and will face either Uruguay or Ghana. The Dutch, though, will be without right-back Gregory Van Der Wiel and left-midfielder Nigel De Jong, who picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament and are suspended for the semi-finals.
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Video highlights of the game
Game photos
Guardian Online: Holland knock out Brazil with spirited comeback
2010 FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, Fri | 10pm | Holland  | 2 | Brazil  | 1 |
| Jul 3, Sat | 2.30am | Uruguay  | 1 (4) | Ghana  | 1 (2) |
| Jul 3, Sat | 10pm | Argentina  | 0 | Germany  | 4 |
| Jul 4, Sun | 2.30am | Paraguay  | 0 | Spain  | 1 |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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