FIFA World Cup 2014: Netherlands Defeat Brazil 3-0 To Take 3rd Place

Brazil's 2014 FIFA World Cup has well and truly ended and any chance of redemption has also evaded the home team and their tournament has ended on a bitter note despite having surged all the way to the semi-finals. The battle for third was the saving grace that the Seleção were looking for after having been dismantled by Germany 7-1 in their semi-final clash. Instead of finding redemption, a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands has sunk Brazil into a deeper hole which ends their tournament on back-to-back losses on their home soil.

Brazil 0-3 Netherlands

(Van Persie 3' PEN, Bind 17', Wijnaldum 90'+1)

The embarrassment was absolute and the devastation resonated throughout the country and even around the world as millions of Brazil supporters saw their hope of saving face go down the drain within 3 minutes of the third place play-off.

Returning captain Thiago Silva who missed the semi-final thrashing from Germany through a double-yellow suspension was back in action and over-achieved in proving that Brazil has an effective defensive line. He earned himself a yellow card within three minutes and his challenge on the attacking Arjen Robben inside the box also earned the Dutch a penalty to put Brazil down by a goal almost at the onset of the match.

The Brazilian fans must have felt a feeling of déjà vu as the sinking feeling returned when the Dutch scored again on the 17^th minute through an error by David Luiz who planted a clearance straight into the path of Daley Blind who calmly found the back of the net.

With Brazil down by 2 goals in the opening 17 minutes a repeat of the 7-1 thrashing seemed to be inevitable and the Brazilians needed to fight back to avoid total humiliation. This time, they didn't collapse as they did against Germany but were able to find several opportunities for themselves and Oscar, the last minute goal-scorer in the semis, looked dangerous on multiple occasions and even managed to put Jasper Cillessen to work.

The attacks came but the Dutch kept them out. At the end of the half, it was still 2-0 but at this rate, that seems to be a relief as recollections of the 5-0 score line at the half in Brazil's previous match come to mind.

A series of attempts from both sides led to only half chances and in the end, Brazil were unable to fire back at the Netherlands. The icing on top of the Oranje's cake came in a minute into stoppage time through Wijnaldum who made an effortless goal while unmarked at close range.

Netherlands have landed third place, a mere consolation after bowing out to Argentina in the semis through penalties. Brazil have ended their tournament in disaster but all eyes are already looking towards Rio de Janeiro and the historic Maracana stadium where Brazil's bitter rivals Argentina will be looking to rub salt into their wounds as they attempt to defeat Germany to take the 2014 FIFA World Cup title.