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Sneijder’s brace won this quarter-final for the Netherlands
The match between the Netherlands and Brazil kicked off the quarter-finals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Despite going a goal down to a Robinho strike, the Dutch turned the game around with a second-half brace from Wesley Sneijder as Brazil ended the match with ten men.
The summary
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
2 July 2010 | Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth*
Goalscorers*: Netherlands (Wesley Sneijder 53’, 68’) | Brazil (Robinho 10’)
Line-ups:
Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg, Gregory van Der Wiel, John Heitinga, Andre Ooijer, Giovanni van Bronckhorst (c), Mark van Bommel, Nigel de Jong, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie (Klaas Jan Huntelaar 85’)
Brazil: Julio Cesar (c), Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos (Gilberto Melo 62’), Felipe Melo, Dani Alves, Gilberto Silva, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano (Nilmar 77’)
The stakes
This was the fourth meeting between the two teams at a World Cup and the second in a quarter-final. At USA 1994, Brazil beat a Dutch team that featured stars such as Dennis Bergkamp, Ronald Koeman and the De Boer twins en route to their fourth world title. Four years later at France 1998, A Seleção repeated the feat against the Oranje , this time in the semi-final.
Despite being without their injured centre-back Joris Mathijsen, the Netherlands extended their winning streak at the tournament to five games, having earlier won their group-stage matches against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, and their last 16 meeting with Slovakia. Brazil’s campaign would end at the quarter-final stage, however, just as it had done four years earlier at Germany 2006.
The match
The crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth did not have to wait long to see Brazil go in front. With just nine minutes on the clock, Felipe Melo split the Dutch defence with a delightful pass to Robinho, who stroked the ball beyond Stekelenburg. At that stage, A Seleção looked set to dominate proceedings.
Indeed, were it not for a string of excellent saves by Stekelenburg, the Dutch could have gone in at half-time more than a goal behind. However, eight minutes into the second half, Sneijder levelled for the Netherlands after swinging in an inviting cross, which brushed Felipe Melo’s head on the way into his own net.
Sneijder continued his brilliant performance by scoring his second not long after. Robben curled an in-swinging corner to the near post which was deftly flicked on by Kuyt, allowing the No10 to steer his header into Julio Cesar’s net from close range. Five minutes later, Brazil suffered a further blow when Felipe Melo was sent off for a stamp on Robben.
The star
After taking four games and 355 minutes to score his first two goals in South Africa, Sneijder doubled his tally against Brazil in the space of just 15 minutes. Netting twice against the five-time world champions meant a lot to the midfielder, who said of his 68th-minute winner, “I just had to get my head on the ball – it was a great feeling to score.”
What they said
“We showed the world that the Netherlands versus Brazil is a fantastic game. Finally, we beat them [after defeats at USA 1994 and France 1998].” Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands midfielder and Man of the Match
“It took us about 25 minutes of today’s game for our nerves to settle, and I was pleased to be only 1-0 down at the interval. During the break I told them to play their usual game in the second half. Once we scored our first goal, we played much better and proved that we’ve got a very strong squad.” Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach
“Everyone’s gutted as we know we could’ve done better. Football can be a great source of joy but today, unfortunately, the people of Brazil are sad.” Robinho, Brazil forward
Netherlands – Brazil Kaka of Brazil (L) controls the ball under pressure from Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team's second goal Dani Alves of Brazil (R) jumps over Nigel De Jong PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands scores his side's second Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands challenges Robinho of Brazil Maarten Stekelenburg of the Netherlands celebrates the own goal by Felipe Melo of Brazil PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Luis Fabiano of Brazil (L) and John Heitinga of the Netherl Netherlands' striker Arjen Robben grabs his leg after a challenge Kaka of Brazil (L) controls the ball under pressure from Andre Ooijer of the Netherlands PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Robin Van Persie and John Heitinga of the Netherlands celeb Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands celebrates the own goal Robinho of Brazil looks dejected Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder (R) and defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst Luis Fabiano of Brazil (front) is held by Andre Ooijer PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands challenges Dani Alves of Br PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Luis Fabiano of Brazil (L) vies for the ball with John Heit Players celebrate with Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Felipe Melo and Julio Cesar of Brazil jump to defend a cros Robin Van Persie (L) of the Netherlands in action Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands celebrates the own goal by Felipe Melo of Brazil by waving into a TV camera Felipe Melo of Brazil scores an own goal after a cross Felipe Melo and Julio Cesar of Brazil jump to defend a cross Felipe Melo and Julio Cesar of Brazil jump to defend a cross Arjen Robben of the Netherlands lies injured on the pitch Robinho of Brazil reacts as his first goal is disallowed Julio Cesar of Brazil in action Luis Fabiano of Brazil tackles John Heitinga Robinho of Brazil scores Luis Fabiano of Brazil (L) in action against Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands Maarten Stekelenburg of the Netherlands makes a diving save Robinho of Brazil (C) in action against Gregory Van Der Wiel (L) and Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Arjen Robben of the Netherlands is surrounded by Felipe Mel Robinho of Brazil scores the opening goal Kaka of Brazil falls under the challenge by Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands Kaka of Brazil takes a shot on goal PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Robinho of Brazil (R) battles for the ball with Nigel De Jo PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands attempts to pull back Robi Kaka of Brazil is challenged by Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands Arjen Robben of the Netherlands vies for the ball Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands tackles Kaka of Brazil Kaka of Brazil falls under the challenge of Wesley Sneijder Carlos Dunga head coach of Brazil kneels on the touchline PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Juan of Brazil challenges Robin Van Persie of the Netherland Luis Fabiano of Brazil (9) in action against Andre Ooijer Robinho of Brazil (L) battles for the ball with Gregory Van Der Wiel of the Netherlands Maicon of Brazil gestures to the linesman Andre Ooijer of the Netherlands (L) kicks the ball Kaka of Brazil (C) vies for the ball with Andre Ooijer of the Netherlands PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Michel Bastos of Brazil gestures to Referee Yuichi Nishimur Michel Bastos of Brazil wins the header as Arjen Robben of the Netherlands Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands challenges Dani Alves of Brazil Kaka of Brazil reacts during the quarter-final match between Netherlands and Brazil Lucio of Brazil is challenged by Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Carlos Dunga head coach of Brazil reacts on the touchline d Lucio of Brazil is tackled by Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands A general view of Brazil fans as they enjoy the atmosphere Felipe Melo of Brazil challenges Wesley Sneijder Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands attempts to tackle Maicon of Brazil Brazil celebrate PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Robinho of Brazil is challenged by Gregory Van Der Wiel and PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Gilberto Silva of Brazil throws an object from the pitch dur Referee Yuichi Nishimura gestures to Luis Fabiano of Brazil and Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring Arjen Robben of the Netherlands is closed down by Dani Alves of Brazil Lucio of Brazil waits in the tunnel Felipe Melo of Brazil challenges Wesley Sneijder Robinho of Brazil celebrates PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Maicon of Brazil and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Nether Juan of Brazil reacts to a missed chance Carlos Dunga head coach of Brazil (second right) and coaching staff Luis Fabiano congratulates Robinho of Brazil Brazil and Netherlands enter the pitch PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Kaka of Brazil is tackled by Nigel De Jong of the Netherlan Luis Fabiano congratulates Robinho of Brazil Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Kaka PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Robinho of Brazil challenges Nigel De Jong of the Netherland Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal Michel Bastos of Brazil challenges Arjen Robben Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands defends an attack by Gilberto Silva and Juan of Brazil Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal Arjen Robben of the Netherlands controls the ball Robinho of Brazil celebrates Kaka of Brazil (C) battles for the ball with Nigel De Jong of the Netherlands (L) as Mark Van Bommel of the Netherlands (R) looks on Michel Bastos of Brazil (L) battles for the ball with Arjen Robben of the Netherlands Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Julio Cesar of Brazil celebrates Robinho's opening goal dur Luis Fabiano (L) celebrates with Robinho of Brazil Luis Fabiano congratulates Robinho of Brazil after he score Luis Fabiano (R) congratulates Robinho of Brazil after he scored Brazil's striker Luis Fabiano rolls on the grass in pain PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 02: Luis Fabiano congratulates Robinho of Brazil after he score Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring the opening goal Nigel De Jong (8) and Arjen Robben (2R) of the Netherlands Brazil's striker Robinho (R) fights for the ball with Netherlands' defender Gregory van der Wiel (L) Robinho of Brazil celebrates scoring
What happened next?
The win over Brazil strengthened the Netherlands’ conviction that they could reach the Final, and so it would prove. In their semi-final, Schneider scored his fifth goal of the tournament to help the Oranje to a 3-2 victory over Uruguay and reach the country’s third World Cup Final, after 1974 and 1978. In the decider, Spain would prove too strong, however, with Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal securing them the title. As for Brazil, the loss brought an end to Dunga’s first stint as national team coach, although he would take up the reins again after the 2014 World Cup, at which the hosts finished fourth.
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil 
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil 
