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WC MOTD Review; Chile 0-2 Netherlands

By on June 23, 2014

Regardless of the result in the Arena Corinthians, these two teams were already guaranteed a place in the next round of the World Cup, with both sides having beaten the other two teams, Spain and Australia, to book their places in the Second Round of the tournament. This match would just sort out who came out on top in Group B; and the game felt that way.

A lackluster first half didn’t see much action, with the highlights being two close efforts from Chilean attacking midfielder Felipe Gutierrez and a yellow card for Chilean defender Francisco Silva, which seemed to be given for persistent fouling – the defender who plies his trade with CA Osasuna in Spain could of easily been sent off a couple of minutes after being booked after he again cynically fouled an opponent.

It looked as if no side really wanted the win, although the South American outfit Chile looked the better of the two sides – using their two wing-backs effectively as well as trying to pick out any frailties in the Dutch defense. But this was to no avail, and the player who definitely give La Roja the most trouble was Dutch winger Arjen Robben who’s blistering pace scared the Chileans silly at some points in the first half.

The second half of the game begun mostly like the first had finished, with Chile seeing most of the possession yet not being able to make any clear cut chances out of it. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, long balls up to the Oranje winger turned forward Robben, who’s frightening speed panicked the Chilean defense, still could not get past his markers to convert past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

Then the match turning substitution took place; Wesley Sneijder was replaced by Norwich city midfielder Leroy Fer who did not waste much time before striking first blood in a game which had been dominated in large parts by opponents Chile. Just three minutes after coming off the bench a cross came in which seemed to confuse the La Roja defense – this was largely due to a clever run by defender Ron Vlaar who took two defenders with him allowing Fer to slot home from ten yards. The flying Dutch men lead!

This spurred a determined Chilean side on, who tried everything to get an equalizer, but all the hard work was to no avail and Sampaoli’s side could not get back on level terms. The match seemed all but won for Holland and then in the second minute of stoppage time it was confirmed, with a late strike from a youngster labelled the ‘new Lionel Messi’ secured Holland of all three points. The brilliant counter attacking goal which was created by a rampant Robben, who was given the ball on the left hand side he then ate ground up as he run past a hopeless Gary Medel before sliding it through to the only one who could seem to keep up with him on the field, Memphis Depay, who slotted it past a defeated Claudio Bravo.

However, regardless of the result, both teams advance to the second round of the tournament, with Chile looking likely to play Brazil in the next round, after the loss – a side who they have never beaten in a World Cup finals, whilst Holland will play either Central American outfit Mexico or Niko Kovac’s impressive Croatia.

About Callum Kenwright

Evertonian. Angler. Oasis. Spanish Football. Aspiring Football Journalist.