I feel so badly for Mexico. They were the better more-deserving team today, but you can never relax against the Netherlands. I can’t imagine the pain Mexican football fans are feeling right now. For me, at least I can go back to rooting for the Dutch.
Next up, Costa Rica and Greece.
Any Greeks around here?
Costa Ricans?
I’m rooting for CONCACAF, even Costa Rica…
I’m for the Ticos. They have overperformed.
Not really more deserving as their team went into a “prevent” defense for much of the second half . American football fans know all about that dubious strategy — it ends up preventing your team from winning.
And you doubly shouldn’t do that against a team built around aggressive attacking.
Sorry for Mexico, but learn the lesson and next time don’t go into a defensive shell with a mere 1 goal lead.
That’s not my read. After the Mexico score, the Netherlands turned it up 3 notches. The key, IMHO, is control. The team that has control has the chances. And Oranje won the 50-50 balls way more often, were very aggressive at putting together shots, balls into the “red zone” and otherwise forced the issue. Yes, Mexico was into a defensive shell BECAUSE Netherlands was VERY much on the aggressive offensive tear. If you watch soccer at this level much, you know that a team that passes well is able to keep control, keep getting the chances, keep up the shots. That’s my read – Netherlands won because of their ability to force the issue.
As Oui noted below and that I did not realize, the Oranje changed their formation to put 3 up front. Their play reflected that. They played the better game, and got the best of a scrappy Mexican team, which was not the better team, despite opinions of others.
Another smart move by Van Gaal, during the last drinking recess he moved Dirk Kuyt (!) up front
next to the big man KJ Huntelaar to force a goal. The Dutch got two, well done.
Tweet by some sport VIPs:
○ Kobe Bryant
○ Usain Bolt
I was delighted when Mexican coach took off forward player Dos Santos (60′) and switched to a defensive style.
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said: “We’d done really well. Then the team sits back and we start to give chances to a team that had not done anything.”
○ Oppressive heat of Fortaleza, this is a remarkable effort from the Dutch
○ Netherlands produced an astonishing late comeback to rescue their World Cup dream and deny Mexico a first quarter-final in 28 years.
Saw a lot of little kids on the street waving their little Mexican flags during the 1994 World Cup. Their enthusiasm and smiling faces were contagious. And they were cool with Mexico losing as was expected. Seemed like a good thing to me. That’s the totality of my encounter with and thoughts about the World Cup.
Thanks for noticing that Mexico outplayed Netherlands on balance, and were deserving of a better fate. The Europeans were the ones who had the energy down the stretch, though- Robben and Sneijder were gifted and relentless on the attack, and Huntelaar really placed that penalty kick well. Even if Ochoa had guessed correctly, he probably would not have blocked that shot.
My wife has connections to both Costa Rica and Greece, so this next one isn’t an easy call for her. The Greek people had a horrid time of it in recent years, so I hope their team can bring more happiness to them.
I think I heard that Mexico has a bit of history in the WC of surrendering early leads late. All the more reason they should not have allowed the Dutch to dictate terms in the 2d half and shd have countered the opponents w their own “best defense is a good offense.” Played as if the game were tied, and then go to ball possession late.
But their too-early defensive crouch gave all the Big Mo to the Orange in the final 20 minutes. Had the late penalty not been called, I have no doubt the Netherlands would have won in the first period of OT.
5-3-2 change to 4-3-3 during match
all play scenarios have been part of training by Van Gaal
Oranje has a surplus of attacking players
Mexico as team was outplayed by a formidable Dutch team
due to injuries, attacking player Dirk Kuyt:
filled position left back and later right back
under tropical circumstances – (38ºC – 105ºF)
an European team beating Mexicans … well done
in the first half, the Dutch deserved a penalty
in 2nd half, Mexican keeper Ochoa made two brilliant saves
compliments to Klaas Jan Huntelaar who came in as replacement for Robin Van Persie (75′)
headed corner in reverse direction to Wesley Sneijder who couldn’t miss
Arjen Robben tricked the Mexican defender to force a penalty in extra time 90’+4
captain Robben gave the ball to KJ Huntelaar who scored the penalty
○ BBC Sport: Dutch comeback stuns Mexico
The Mexican keeper is simply amazing. He did everything to keep Mexico in it. The first Netherlands goal was a cannonshot, in the net before the keeper really saw it. The PK was just a bad guess – you need to go one way or the other, he picked wrong – just the luck of the goalkeeper. Robben was forcing the play in the box from Min 60 on, continually forcing his way in, and he forced the foul which I thought was a good call.
Defender Héctor Moreno left the pitch with a broken leg after a hard tackle on Arjen Robben.
That clash should have been a penalty for Oranje just before the half-time break.
Greece’s stoppage time equaliser was the 145th goal of the 2014 World Cup. The 2010 World Cup featured 145 goals in total.
The match will be decided by a penalty shootout. Costa Rica played the last hour with 10 men, keeper Keylor Navas made some brilliant saves.
Wow, what an ending!
That last save by Navas was amazing.
Ticos on PKs. That’s not a satisfying way to win, but Costa Rico and Brazil will accept this approach.
“Michael Umana showed no nerves whatsoever, he did it like he’s done it a million times before. The Costa Rica players cannot believe it. What a performance. To play with 10 men for so long, to hold on and maintain their composure in the penalties, there was no panic whatsoever. They had the arrogance to stay up there and say: ‘I’ll take it in my time.’
“They should be so proud. This is history for their country, they should celebrate now and they deserve it. Incredible scenes.”