The Netherlands secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Castelao in their World Cup Last 16 tie on Sunday evening.
Having played out an uninspiring opening 45 minutes, Giovanni Dos Santos fired Mexico ahead early in the second half only for Wesley Sneijder to net a late equaliser and Klaas Jan Huntelaar to hit an even later penalty to seal passage to the next round.
With the sun blazing down over Fortaleza both sides produced an uncharacteristically laboured and error-strewn opening to the match as they attempted to adapt to the tricky playing conditions.
While there were occasional glimpses of the Netherlands’ direct passing play that was so successful in the group stages, the sense of pressure and blistering heat meant that both sides initially seemed quite content to play almost at walking pace.
While Mexico grew into the game well and largely dominated the opening half hour, there was little to get their fans out of their seats aside from a few speculative, long-range efforts from Miguel Layun, a scuffed Hector Herrera strike and a strong penalty appeal that was turned down on the 20 minute mark.
As the half wore on following the enforced ‘cooling break’, El Tri’s grip on the game faded somewhat as possession became more evenly distributed between the two sides.
Despite their increased influence on proceedings, however, the Netherlands players continued to struggle for any rhythm in their play, repeatedly linking together a few passes before hitting hopeful forward balls that gave the Mexico defence little to worry about.
While Arjen Robben had a strong penalty shout turned down just before the break, neither side showed enough craft or hunger to merit a half-time lead.
Then, with temperatures soaring to nearly 39 degrees at pitch-side, the match erupted into life shortly after the break as dos Santos hit a sublime opener with just three second-half minutes on the clock, holding off a posse of Dutch defenders 20 yards out the Villarreal striker fired an unstoppable left-footed drive into the bottom-right corner.
With the Dutch side understandably desperate to hit back immediately after going behind, Mexico were forced to deal with a flurry of dangerous set-piece deliveries and had Guillermo Ochoa to thank on 57 minutes, producing a world class stop to push Stefan de Vrij’s point-blank volley onto the post.
As the match ticked beyond the 70-minute mark, the Dutch players continued to press forward en masse but could only produce a succession of half-chances from set-pieces up against a sea of industrious Mexican defenders.
Robben again threatened after 74 minutes but was once again foiled by the impressive Ochoa who blocked well at his near post. For all of their pressing, there remained little real invention in the Netherlands side as a reliance on long, hopeful balls continued to typify their approach.
Then, with three minutes left to play, the string of Dutch corners finally paid off as Sneijder was first to react to a loose ball and arrowed a low strike past the previously invincible Ochoa to seemingly force extra-time.
However, in the 94th minute an already dramatic finale was taken up yet another notch as Robben was brought down in the box to earn a Dutch penalty that was subsequently converted by Huntelaar in clinical fashion to ensure an unbelievable turnaround.
Following this narrow escape, the Dutch side will undoubtedly go into their quarter-final tie full of confidence, believing that they have a very strong chance of progressing to the latter stages of the competition.
