Netherlands stuns Brazil 2-1 to reach semifinals

Lesotho Soccer World Cup News:  Netherlands stuns Brazil 2-1 to reach semifinals
Associated Press

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Brazil had never really been under duress in the World Cup until the quarterfinals Friday. How would it react, with resilience or agitation? Could it take a punch, or did it have a glass jaw?

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Few could have imagined that a dominant first half would disintegrate into such a loss of composure in a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands. For a second consecutive World Cup, Brazil exited in the quarterfinals, its hopes of a sixth title shattered along with its equanimity and self-control.
As it crumbled, Brazil put a ball into its own net, grew unnerved by the diving of Dutch forward Arjen Robben, and played a man down for the final 17-plus minutes after committing an impetuous foul. One of the tallest teams in the tournament, Brazil gave up the winning goal on a header by Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder, one of the shortest men on the field.

As Brazil leaves unceremoniously, the Netherlands advances to the semifinals against Uruguay, which beat Ghana on penalty kicks. The Netherlands defeated Brazil for the first time in the World Cup since 1974 and the days of Johan Cruyff and gained redemption for defeats in 1994 and 1998, while also beginning to shed its image as a talented but underperforming team.

"Finally, finally, we won," Sneijder said.

While Dunga, Brazil's coach, faces caustic second-guessing for a style that favored muscle over beauty, Bert van Marwijk of the Netherlands gained validation for his assertion that the Dutch could win the World Cup for the first time.

"People mocked me for that," said van Marwijk, who became coach two years ago.

But if others doubted him, he did not doubt himself. "I said I'm not going to the tournament just to take part; I want to win," van Marwijk said. "I want the best prize. People might think (I am) arrogant. But if you beat Brazil, then you should dare to say this."

Felipe Melo, a Brazilian midfielder, will forever remain in the bull's-eye for everything that went right and wrong in this match for the departed co-favorites.

He re-entered the starting lineup for Ramires, who was suspended with two yellow cards. And in the 10th minute, Melo sent a pass through a yawning gap in the middle of the Netherlands' defense. The ball seemed to roll forever as if on a fairway after a tee shot.

The Netherlands had been forced to alter its starting lineup in central defense, when Joris Mathijsen injured his knee during warm-ups. Andre Ooijer replaced him, which led to early confusion that was harshly punished by Brazil. Robinho ran past Ooijer, and his partner John Heitinga, cocked his right leg at the top of the penalty area and swept the ball into the goal for a 1-0 Brazil lead.

His leg seemed to swing like a door closing on the Netherlands. Continue reading here...