Holland 2-1 Brazil (Quarter Final) – 02/07/2010: Here are a hero! The Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final match, the result of a game drops back in the match reached the semifinals by beating the Netherlands 2-1.

Melo 73 Yesterday saw the red card.

10′ [0 - 1] Robinho / 53′ F. Melo (o.g.) [1 - 1] / 68′ W. Sneijder [2 - 1]

Match, Brazil had a good start. Netherlands to the semi-washed Brazil game, the first five minutes after the danger began to arrive. 8. Robinho pass the ball in the empty net Dani Alves minutes left to set offside but the goal lines of the Japanese was not valid. But some officials are not counting the previous goal gave 10.min. a goal mark. The call to pass from midfield almost at Melo great ball movement to catch the beautiful Robinho keeper was sent to the net and put his team in front 1-0.

Oranje immediately tried to level the score and came close via Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool attacker cut inside from the right before unleashing a low shot, but Julio Cesar deflected it wide for a corner kick.

The South Americans continued to dominate play and could have doubled their lead halfway the first half. Dani Alves found Juan with a good cross from the right and the centre back didn’t hesitate to unleash a powerful shot, which went only just over the bar.

Kaka then opted to test the Dutch goalie at the half hour mark with a placed shot from 20 yards out. Stekelenburg pulled off an excellent save to deny the Real Madrid star though.

The referee awarded Oranje a free kick in a dangerous position about ten minutes before the half-time whistle. Wesley Sneijder stepped up to take it, but his shot was too weak to trouble Julio Cesar.

Netherlands then did seem to trouble the Brazilian defence minutes before the interval after a good attack down the right via Wesley Sneijder and Gregory van der Wiel. However, the latter’s cross as eventually cleared by the South Americans’ defence.

Maicon then nearly made it two for Brazil in the dying seconds of the first half. However, his powerful shot after an impressive run down the right ended up in the side-netting.

Netherlands started the second half with attacking intentions and the Europeans levelled the score in the 50th minute. Wesley Sneijder sent in a dangerous cross from the right and midfielder Felipe Melo headed the ball in his own net after shot stopper Julio Cesar missed his clearance.

The Dutch only just escaped falling behind again after 65 minutes of play. Ooijer failed to clear a cross from the right, deflecting the ball into the path of Kaka. The attacking midfielder aimed his placed shot just wide of the Dutch goal though.

Oranje then somewhat surprisingly took the lead in the 67th minute. Robben sent in a great corner kick for Kuyt, who flicked the ball on for Sneijder and the unmarked Inter star headed home from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for the Selecao only minutes after the 2-1. Robben went past Felipe Melo and the Juventus midfielder cynically fouled the winger before kicking out at him again after the referee’s whistle, leaving the ref no other option but to show Melo the red card.

Holland launched a breakaway about ten minutes before the final whistle after some good work from Sneijder. However, the final pass for Kuyt was just too hard and Julio Cesar picked up the loose ball.

Brazil then looked dangerous after a series of corner kicks with five more minutes to go, but an excellent goalline clearance from Kuyt prevented the equalizer.

Sneijder should have put the match to bed in the 84th minute after a quick counter attack. However, the tricky midfielder failed to beat the Brazilian goalie after being set up by Robin van Persie.

The Netherlands’ World Cup semi-final opponent, the team will be Uruguay-Ghana match winner.

Latest information: The see yellow card in the Netherlands and De Jong, Van der Wiel be suspended for the semi-final match, they will not be on the field.

Netherlands on the World Cup semi-finals when fourth time, experience the excitement of the semi-final was the first time after 1998.

Brazil at the beginning of the match so much done if you attack, I knew the second half the game before going down.

My favorite was the Netherlands. And the Netherlands which are difficult to win the match.

Enjoy the, Video, comment, Gallery and view the match.

Spain 1-0 Portugal (Last 16) – 29/06/2010: A quick run down of the two teams. Firstly the Spanish who are able to name Xabi Alonso in the starting line-up after he had suffered an ankle problem. Despite being well below his best, Fernando Torres continues upfront with David Villa likely to continue to attack from the left.

Spain : Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila, Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta, David Villa, Torres.

Portugal meanwhile recall Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida in place of Zenit winger Danny and retain Ricardo Costa at rightback. Simao is also back in Duda’s stead and Fabio Coentrao continues as a makeshift leftback à la Michel Bastos of Brazil and Danijel Pranjic who enjoyed success in that role in Euro 2008.

Portugal : Eduardo, Ricardo Costa (RED CARD 88 MIN.), Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Pepe, Tiago, Raul Meireles, Simao, Cristiano Ronaldo (C), Hugo Almeida.

Spain wins first after tire. Spain in the World Cup, giving great passes to the opponent got tired. David Villa scored in the Portugal’s destroyed.

Paraguay will meet Spain in the quarterfinals.

Goal - David Villa (62 Min.)

Spain vs Portugal

Notes From the Match

World Cup second round match against Spain and Portugal met. The Spain match, quick start, with the castle Villa after Torres tried before, but Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo not allowed goals in this position. Well that space closing minutes after Portugal, Spain did not give up passes.

Tiago twentieth minute of the match from the cannon ball shot off, but the experienced goalkeeper was able to throw the ball into the corner.

The second half started with the goal position, this time in Portugal. Almeida’s center hit the ball Puyol’a and Spain turned to fortresses, but narrowly went to the corner.

Spain, 62 minute episodes were made. Spain’s goal on 62 minutes was found. Portugal 89 Ricardo Costa’s friends in minutes with 10 people was the red card.

And the match with a 1-0 win over Spain.

SPAIN 1 – 0 PORTUGAL

Stadium: Green Point

Referees: Hector Baldassi (Argentina), Ricardo Casas (Argentina), Hernan Maidana (Argentina)

Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Xabi Alonso (min. 90 Carlos Marchena), Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Fernando Torres (Fernando Llorente min. 59), David Villa (min. Pedro Rodriguez, 88)

Portugal: Eduardo, Bruno Alves, Ricardo Costa, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao, Raul Meireles, Pepe (Pedro Mendes Dk.72), Tiago, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa (min. 72 Liedson), Hugo Almeida (min. 59 Danny)

Goals: Min. 63 David Villa (Spain)

Yellow card: Min. 74 Xabi Alonso (Spain), Min. 80 Tiago (Portugal)

Red card: Min. 90 Ricardo Costa (Portugal)

Paraguay vs Japan (5-3 Penalty Shoot-Out) (Last 16) – 29/06/2010: Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has made the decision to bench Oscar Cardozo in favour of Lucas Barrios for this afternoon’s last 16 fixture against Japan. Additionally, Antolin Alcaraz, Nestor Ortigoza and Carlos Bonet have returned to the starting XI. Line-up: Villar, Morel, Da Silva, Alcaraz, Bonet, Ortigoza, Benitez, Vera, Riveros, Barrios, Santa Cruz

Japan gaffer Takeshi Okada has opted to field the same eleven players who beat Denmark 3-1 in the group stage to book their ticket for the first knockout round. Line-up: Kawashima; Abe, Komano, Tanaka, Nakazawa, Nagatomo, Endo, Matsui, Hasebe, Honda, Okubo

Oscar Cardozo did not miss the last penalty. Paraguay in a top tour.

Japan in the World Cup quarterfinals on penalties after a 5-3 defeat to Paraguay output.In the second round World Cup match against Paraguay and Japan met.

With attention to soccer matches they have played two teams fighting for the regular time and overtime ended 0-0.

Competitive advantage to 5-3 after a penalty shootout which went to the quarterfinals in Paraguay.Japan was the better match, a quick start 1 Osario’nun shots per minute did not allow the goal keeper.

20. minutes this time, Paraguay was effective.Faced with the goalkeeper in penalty area beat goalkeeper Lucas did not allow goals.

Match in the second half and overtime, the opponent’s top two teams did not go.In this moment the match was so boring.Vuvuzela sounds are more effective in these minutes.Before the match ended 0-0 and the normal duration.Extra time ended in a 0-0 draw.

Competitors after a penalty shootout in the 5-3 defeat to Paraguay reached the quarter-finals.

Brazil – Chile (Last 16) 28/06/2010: Juan & Luis Fabiano Give Selecao Comfortable Half-Time Cushion

Chile will have to fight back from two goals down to save their World Cup Campaign

Goal – 35′ Juan [1 - 0] / 38′ L. Fabiano [2 - 0] / 59′ Robinho [3 - 0]

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Brazil 3-0 Chile: Juan, Luis Fabiano & Robinho Send Selecao Steaming Into Quarter-Finals

Two goals in the first half from Juan and Luis Fabiano gave Brazil a comfortable 2-0 lead over Chile in the last-16 clash, before Robinho sealed the win in style with a second half strike as the Selecao set up a tantalising quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands.

South American pride and bragging rights were at stake as both Chile and Brazil looked to avoid becoming the first nation from the continent to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.

Chile showed all the initiative in the opening exchanges as they pinned back Brazil, who were happy to absorb the pressure and pounce on the break.

Indeed, it was the Selecao who had the first real chance after four minutes when Robinho released Luis Fabiano through on goal in a counter-attack, but the Sevilla striker dragged his shot wide across goal.

Dunga’s men quickly wrestled control of the game after that and on eight minutes, Gilberto Silva unleashed a piledriver from 25 yards out which Claudio Bravo was forced to dive at full stretch to palm the ball away. Kaka then fired wired from the ensuing corner as Chile suddenly found themselves chasing shadows.

But La Roja finally carved out their first shot at goal on 12 minutes when Humberto Suazo fired his half-volley straight at Julio Cesar after he got in between two defenders to meet Alexis Sanchez’s through pass.

It didn’t take long for the frantic pace of the early minutes of the game to dissipate and chances started to dry up as both teams settled into a normal rhythm. In fact, the fans at Ellis Park had to wait until the 34th minute before they were up on their feet. And it was the Brazilian half of the crowd that were celebrating as the Canarinha took the lead when Juan thumped a bullet header into the top corner from Maicon’s corner.

Just three minutes later, it became 2-0. Robinho squared the ball to the middle to Kaka, who touched it on to Luis Fabiano and the striker coolly rounded the on-rushing Bravo before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Five minutes from the break, Michel Bastos galloped down the left channel and drilled in a low drive which flashed just wide, before Fabiano came close to a second but he hammered his header over from 12-yards out from a Maicon cross.

Brazil continued to look the more threatening side as Chile struggled to hang on for the half-time whistle.

A desperate Marcelo Bielsa made two changes at the break in a bid to haul his Chile side back into the contest. Rodrigo Tello came on for Pablo Contreras while Jorge Valdivia replaced Mark Gonzalez, but it was the Selecao who came out firing again when Dani Alves’ freekick all the way on the left channel just floated over the bar.

La Roja managed to string together a number of half-decent attacks, but it was their final ball into the opposition box that let them down. That only resulted in Brazil taking advantage of the gaps at the back to launch counter-attacks. And that was precisely how they five-time world champions made it 3-0.

Ramires made an interception in the halfway line, darted forward all the way to the edge of the area before teeing up Robinho to curl a wonderful side-footed shot past a hapless Bravo. Minutes later, Dani Alves let rip a 30-yard rocket which swerved agonisingly wide.

Chile, to their credit, didn’t let their heads drop as they fought valiantly for a consolation goal. Valdivia came closest on 65 minutes when he flicked up an Alexis Sanchez squared ball and pummelled in a volley which flew just over.

Another lightning break for Brazil almost resulted in a fourth goal when Robinho chased down a through ball and arrowed in a low drive across goal but Bravo got down well to swat it away.

Straight to the other end, Julio Cesar was forced to make his first save of the game when he dived full stretch to deny a superb shot from Humberto Suazo. Minutes later, Suazo’s volley right off the ground dipped over Julio Cesar but it could only clip the top of the bar.

Jean Beausejour and Valdivia had the last clear-cut chances of the game for Chile when they both pulled their shots wide but Brazil’s commanding lead never looked in danger as they went on to secure an impressive 3-0 win and a date with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Holland 2-0 Slovakia (Last 16) – 28/06/2010: Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has given the following eleven players the nod: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Van Bommel; Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben; Van Persie

His Slovakian colleague Vladimir Weiss has decided to stick with the following starting XI: Mucha; Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik; Kucka, Hamsik; Weiss, Jendrisek, Stoch; Vittek

Goal – Arjen Robben (18 Min.) / Wesley Sneijder (84 Min.) / Robert Vittek (90+3 Min. Penalty Goal)

Arjen Robben has announced his arrival proper in the World Cup by given the Netherlands a 1-0 advantage over Slovakia at half-time.

Long range shots from either side were very much the order of the day in the opening few minutes. Slovakia made their presence felt with strong efforts from Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik but it was the Netherlands who ultimately took a hold on the match, despite the initial exchanges being finely balanced.

Wesley Sneijder was heavily involved for the Dutch, as his been his custom in the competition to date. His first contribution was a shot from distance that went over the top, and that was matched by Dirk Kuyt soon afterwards, though the Liverpool man dragged his ambitious strike from range wide.

There could be little doubt that the Oranje were beginning to get into their stride, even if some of their passing was a little sloppy at times. Better opportunities started to be created by Bert van Marwijk’s side, but Robin van Persie wasted a good headed chance from just outside the six yard box and Sneijder finished tamely after being rolled in by the Arsenal forward.

It was Robben, making his first start of the World Cup after injury, who broke the deadlock. Sneijder was the architect, launching a fine long pass for the Bayern Munich winger to scamper onto down the left. As he has done so many times this season, the Dutchman gathered possession 30 yards from goal, advanced to the corner of the box, cut inside and slid a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Prior to the break the Netherlands seemed to ease their effort somewhat, simply content to keep their opponents at an arm’s length. Van Persie tried to inject some life into the Dutch attack after the Oranje had withstood several Slovakian set-plays but the striker’s somewhat mundane right-footed shot from 25 yards was comfortably fielded by Jan Mucha.

A couple of minutes before the half-time interval, Van Persie slid a firm shot by the near post after good work by Mark van Bommel getting down the right.

Slovakia are presently lacking the flair to really threaten a Dutch defence that has looked steady and untroubled in the opening 45 minutes. Vladimir Weiss has significant work to do over the break.

Argentina 3-1 Mexico (Last 16) – 27/06/2010: Carlos Tevez Double Sends Albiceleste Into Quarter-Finals

Tevez hit two and his strike partner Gonzalo Higuain the other as Argentina booked a last eight clash with Germany

Argentina (4-4-2 diamond): Romero, Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez, Di Maria, Messi, Tevez, Higuain.

Mexico (4-3-2-1): Perez, Osorio, Rodriguez, Marquez, Salcido,Torrado, Juarez, Guardado, Dos Santos, Bautista, Hernandez

Argentina will face Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals after the South Americans overcame Mexico 3-1 in Johannesburg tonight.

Carlos Tevez headed home controversially after 26 minutes, appearing to do so from an offside position, before Gonzalo Higuain struck a second. Tevez hit a beautiful third in the second half before Javier Hernandez netted a consolation.

As expected, Juan Sebastian Veron and Jonas Gutierrez missed out as Diego Maradona switched largely back to the side which had started Argentina’s campaign rather than the rotated set-up of their last group game against Greece. With Walter Samuel injured, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Burdisso and Maxi Rodriguez retained their spots. There were three changes for Mexico, as Efrain Juarez, Adolfo Bautista and Hernandez replaced Guillermo Franco, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Hector Moreno, meaning a switch to centre-back for skipper Rafael Marquez.

After a largely Argentina dominated opening, Mexico had two great efforts in no time at all. First, Carlos Salcido cut inside and unleashed a speculative effort from 35 yards out which had Sergio Romero scrambling back to flick onto the bar. Before the Albiceleste could draw breath, Giovani dos Santos made a break down the right before pulling the ball back for Jose Guardado, whose left foot shot from 20 yards swung just wide of the far post with Romero beaten.

Although the South Americans slotted straight back into their smooth passing play, it was Mexico who once again forced the next decent opening, with Bautista and Hernandez combining well before the latter fired just wide.

El Tri were not having it all their own way though, as they were left resorting to kicks rather than tackles on Lionel Messi at times as they showed an early inability as to come to terms with the diminutive attacker’s threat. The No. 10 could even be found 30 yards from his own goal battling for the ball as he looked to find space wherever he could get it.

Eventually Messi was able to have a huge influence as Argentina took a highly controversial lead. He and Carlos Tevez ran in tandem at the heart of the Mexico defence and the Manchester City forward was able to squeeze the ball through for Messi to go one on one with Oscar Perez. After the keeper was able to foil him, Messi chipped the ball towards goal before Tevez, who appeared to be a metre or so offside, flicked home a header beyond two retreating defenders.

It momentarily appeared as though the strike was to be ruled out as referee Roberto Rosetti consulted his assistant at length, but despite protests from the Mexican players the goal was allowed to stand.

Within just seven minutes the Albiceleste rubbed salt into the open wounds by adding a second. Ricardo Osorio took his eye off a simple pass at the back, and the loose ball was pounced upon by Gonzalo Higuain, who charged forward before coolly rounding Perez and slotting into the empty net.

After their endeavour in the early stages and the injustice of the first goal, Mexico might have considered themselves unfortunate, but they now had to face up to the reality of chasing two goals.

It could so easily have been three after Messi’s throw was flicked on by Higuain and Tevez went on the rampage towards the Mexico goal, but el Tri managed to block his effort and then cleared Maxi Rodriguez’s cross soon after.

A further chance was wasted as Argentina really began to turn the screw. Otamendi did superbly to reach the bye-line before crossing for Higuain, who was unable to get enough contact onto his header and glanced wide from five yards.

There was a scuffle between the two sets of players as they went in at the break and when they all came back out Mexico did so without Bautista, who was replaced by Pablo Barrera.

After an initial period of cat and mouse at the start of the second half the result was put beyond doubt by a moment of Argentine magic.

Forced onto his left foot with seemingly nothing on, Carlos Tevez ducked back onto his right, getting a break off a Mexican defender as he did so, before unleashing an unstoppable effort from 25 yards.

It was a killer blow for el Tri, a side who could quite rightly have claimed to be Argentina’s equal for long spells in the game. They were left reduced to aiming speculative efforts at Sergio Romero, with Guardado closest to catching out the AZ goalkeeper.

Guardado was then replaced by Guillermo Franco as Javier Aguirre tried to come up with something that would get his team back into the running. Within seconds they’d fashioned an opportunity, but Hernandez could only head over from close range when unmarked.

With question marks over officiating continuing today, there was another flashpoint when Mexico appeared to have pulled a goal back when Pablo Barrera knocked the ball beyond Romero but Gabriel Heinze raced back to clear. Initially the ball seemed to have crossed the line, but video replays were in short supply.

But within seconds Mexico had their lifeline as Javier Hernandez beautifully turned a static Martin Demichelis before firing a neat left foot finish high into the net at Romero’s near post.

Far from signalling a late Mexican rally, the goal seemed to just fire up the Albiceleste further, as they continued to knock the ball around with ease, knowing that continued possession would make it very difficult for el Tri to regain any more ground on the scoreboard.

There was one opportunity for Mexico as a dangerous cross was swung over from the left but Gabriel Heinze superbly flung himself at the ball to clear at the far post ahead of Marquez.

Messi could have finally got his World Cup account ticking in stoppage time when unleashing a superb left foot strike, but Perez did well to tip over. But it was too little too late for the keeper as Mexico crashed out.

Germany 4-1 England (Last 16) – 27/06/2010: Lions Limp Out After German Rout

The rivals put in an exciting contest at Bloemfontein…

England are out of the 2010 World Cup after being thrashed by Germany at Free State Stadium in South Africa. Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski scored and it looked comfortable, but Matthew Upson’s tally gave England a chance to come back. The Three Lions will be aggrieved that a Frank Lampard strike was wrongly disallowed at the end of the first-half, but Thomas Mueller’s second-half brace gave coach Joachim Leow’s side a convincing 4-1 victory.

Both sides used line-ups that were relatively unchanged. Three Lions boss Fabio Capello used the same starting XI that defeated Slovenia, keeping faith in Matthew Upson, James Milner, and Jermaine Defoe. Meanwhile Loew made a solitary variation to his squad as Klose, who returned from suspension, replaced the injured Cacau in attack.

Goalkeeper James was called into action after just four minutes. Mesut Oezil ran through the defence, beating Ashley Cole to the ball and volleying from a tight angle, but the veteran was ready and saved well.

England were having trouble clicking in attack in the early stages and Germany nearly took advantage on a counter, but Podolski wasted the opportunity when he attempted a shot rather than passing to a team-mate.

Frank Lampard had been poor in the group stages, but he burst forward with Defoe to ear a free-kick in a dangerous position 25 yards from goal, but he struck the set-piece straight into the wall.

Klose proved to be decisive for his national team yet again at the World Cup. A long ball was misread by John Terry and the striker easily held off Upson to poke past James and give the Germans the advantage after 20 minutes. The three-time World Cup winners had been the settled side and were full value for their lead.

David James saved Capello’s men from going two down. Mueller put in a sublime through ball for Klose and the Portsmouth shot stopper got down quickly to block his close range effort.

It was a sign of things to come as Klose lobbed the ball over to Thomas Mueller inside the box, who flicked across goal to Podolski. The 25-year-old controlled and fired low past James for a 2-0 scoreline. England looked second-best, but going behind by another goal sprung them into life.

Minutes later, Upson made up for his previous error, heading in Steven Gerrard’s cross to make it 2-1. It was turning out to be a thriller.

A most controversial decision on 38 minutes kept England behind. Lampard’s dipping shot from outside the area hit the crossbar and bounced downwards. Lampard and Capello were already celebrating the goal, but the linesman ruled it did not cross the line. Replays proved it to be the wrong decision as the ball was clearly in the net and the team in the red strip were up in arms before the half-time whistle blew.

The second-half started with England continuing to look for that elusive equaliser. There was bad luck for Lampard once again, the Chelsea star’s curling freekick from a central position striking the crossbar with Manuel Neuer beaten. It was the British outfit that had come out more hungry for the latter 45 minutes.

Philipp Lahm’s short backpass caused problems, but Neuer was quick to just beat the onrushing Jermaine Defoe to the ball in a lively encounter. On the hour mark, Mueller’s cutback left the defence scrambling, but he toe-poked wide from the edge of box.

Rooney skipped past his marker and set up Milner, who smashed the ball towards the net, but a crucial block by left-back Jerome Boateng likely saved a goal.

Germany found their third with a textbook counter. Mueller started and finished the move, spraying wide to Bastian Schweinsteiger before getting the ball back and lashing a low and hard effort past James. It was 3-1 on 66 minutes.

It wasn’t long until it was four goals for the 2006 hosts. Oezil beat Gareth Barry for pace down the left and squared for Mueller again and that surely spelled the end of England’s World Cup hopes even if there were 20 minutes left.

Neuer denied Gerrard a consolation with an excellent fingertip save after the Liverpool skipper had linked up with Rooney. There was little more action as the spirits of England had been dashed.

Germany move on to the quarter-finals to play the winner of Argentina versus Mexico.