Netherlands 3 - Australia 2

Photo by Jeff Gross

Netherlands looked to extend their lead atop Group B as they took on Australia today in Porto Alegre. Australia were the much more assertive team from the opening whistle. Mathew Leckie was taking defenders on the dribble, and one move completely baffled Dutch centerback Bruno Martins Indi. Leckie slotted across the eighteen-yard box for Mark Bresciano, and only a timely block from Stefan de Vrij protected the goal. From a rather innocuous loose ball won, Netherlands winger Arjen Robben picked up the ball at midfield and was allowed to run all the way into the Australian penalty area. Only one defender was back, and Robben barely detected his presence as he slotted home for the opener. The Australian response was immediate. A lengthy cross was first-timed from forty yards away from its intended target by Ryan McGowan. Tim Cahill found himself on the end of it, and he sublimely struck a swinging volley in off the underside of the crossbar to tie the match at 1-1 with what could be the best goal of Brasil 2014 when it is all said and done. Leckie made another incisive run ten minutes later and got free along the right flank. His pass across the box rolled into the path of an onrushing Bresciano, but Bresciano could not keep his shot on frame. Toward the end of the half, Cahill drew a yellow card on a challenge against Martins Indi. Martins Indi had to be taken off the field with an injury. Cahill will be suspended for Australia's next game due to yellow card accumulation. The sides left the field of play tied at 1-1.

Robin van Persie raised an errant hand to the face of Matthew Spiranovic (pictured, yellow) early in the second half, earning him a yellow card and a suspension for Netherlands' next game. Oliver Bozanic had just been subbed onto the pitch by Australia, and his first contribution was to kick a ball off the hand of Daryl Janmaat to draw a penalty kick. Australia converted the spot kick for a shocking 2-1 lead. Nigel de Jong lost the ball at midfield under pressure. Cahill picked up the ball and set up Matt McKay on the break. McKay hit a cross toward Cahill at the back post, but de Vrij headed out for a corner kick. This lead was just as short lived as Netherlands' early lead. A revitalized Oranje slipped the offside trap pulled by the Socceroos. Left back Jason Davidson kept van Persie onside on the through ball from upfield. With no centerbacks in the area due to the attempted offside trap, van Persie had no pressure on his finish and he coolly smacked the ball home for 2-2. A pathetic clearance by Ron Vlaar put Australia in with a chance on goal. Tommy Oar chose to cross for Leckie in the box, but all Leckie could do was weakly chest the ball to the goalkeeper with the majority of the goal wide open. Immediately on the other end, Memphis Depay had a go from distance that took a low bounce and skipped under the arms of a diving Australia goalkeeper Maty Ryan to put Netherlands ahead 3-2. Only after they had secured the lead did Netherlands start really applying heaps of pressure upon Australia. van Persie held the ball up in the box as a pivot forward. He found a pass for Nigel de Jong, but Ryan was able to make the save from de Jong's attempt. Jeremain Lens had a chance to flatter Netherlands by scoring in stoppage time, but Ryan made a good reaction save. Nevertheless, Netherlands hold on and win 3-2 to all but stamp their ticket to the knockout stage.

Netherlands 6 pts +5
Chile 3 pts +2
Australia 0 pts -3
Spain 0 pts -4

Goals
Netherlands
Arjen Robben 20
Robin van Persie 58
Memphis Depay 68

Australia
Tim Cahill 21
Mile Jedinak 54 PK

Match Reports:
http://soccer.si.com/planet-futbol/2014/06/18/netherlands-australia-world-cup-commentary-recap-group-b
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=oranje-edge-five-goal-thriller-2375665.html

Highlights:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/match=300186478/index.html