2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil Is Finally Humbled

Brazil's quest for their sixth World Cup trophy has finally come to an end, and Holland’s Wesley Sneijder can boast that he was the one to teach the Brazilians how to humble themselves.

Played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the game highlighted more refereeing incompetence, as the official failed to show his cards in some of the game’s most violent moments. Although both sides had complaints to make toward the official, it was Brazil who got punished unforgettably and painfully in the end, losing 2-1.

Robinho gave the Brazilians an early lead in the 10th minute when he swept the ball into the back of the net after connecting successfully with a through ball from the midfield.

The Samba Boys had other chances, but they seemed too confident and were unaffected by their ineffectiveness in front of goal. While Brazil’s defender Michel Bastos went unpunished for the dreadful tackles he kept making on Arjen Robben, Kaka also appeared to be fouled inside the box in the first half.

Nevertheless, the official waved away appeals from both sides on different occasions.

The Brazilians were not able to increase the tally, the Netherlands were playing ugly football, and the game was 1-0 going into halftime.

It was the second half which contained most of the action, as the Netherlands made an incredible comeback.

Indeed, after the break, the game became faster, and the level of intensity became higher, as both teams knew how close they were to reaching the semifinals.

It was Inter Milan’s Sneijder who gave the Netherlands life after the break, when his powerful cross sent the ball into the back of the net. Without watching the replay, it looked like Sneijder had scored on his own. In fact, it was clear that the goal was scored after the ball touched Felipe Melo.

Unfortunately for Dunga’s men, they were punished again for their ineffectiveness in the 69th minute, when Sneijder once again imposed his authority on the Brazilians. A nicely-taken corner kick by Robben found Dirk Kuyt, then Sneijder, who brilliantly headed the ball into the back of the net.

The pressure kept mounting on the South Americans, who were aware that their time was running out. Try as they might, the Brazilians were incapable of equalizing, though they had a few good chances.

Melo (who scored the own goal) was sent-off in the 73rd minute after an unacceptable stomp on Robben after the Dutchman went to the ground. Later in the match, Kaka's appeal for a penalty was overruled.

After three minutes of added time, the final whistle blew, and the match ended at 2-1. The Samba Boys could consider themselves lucky that the Oranje didn't add a third goal in the dying minutes.

In the long run, fans of the “Lords of Football/Almighty Brazil,” as they are called, can only realize that their team is beatable. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that they will need to congratulate the Netherlands

See the report here: Netherlands 2-1 Brazil

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