Final Scoreline for Match 63 (3RD PLACE PLAYOFF):
BRAZIL - 0
NETHERLANDS - 3
(Van Persie 3' PK, Blind 17', Wijnaldum 91')
Easy to come back from broken bones, but how do you make a comeback with a broken spirit?
The Brazil team of yore, having suffered a battering from Germany in the semi-finals, came in to showcase their talent one final time in WC 2014 in this match, which many (including myself), say that it should be scrapped from the WC itinerary, as it is an absolutely useless and demoralising fixture. But, more worse things were in store for the South American soccer wizards, and more tears were in store for their hardcore fans.
Brazil were defending like absolute schoolboys! Skipper Thiago Silva returned for this match and in the 3rd minute itself, pulled Robben's shirt hard inside the penalty box, and the Dutchman absolutely flew into the ground. The referee pointed to the spot, and Robin Van Persie converted an easy chance. 1-0 Netherlands in the 3rd minute itself.
Credit to Brazil as well for counter-attacking. At least 3 shots went in front of goal without any contact whatsoever, else it would have been 3-1 Brazil easily. But, as their non-existent and horrendous defense would have it, David Luiz tried to clear a Robben shot but headed it straight into Danny Blind's path who calmly thumped it back past Luiz, into the Brazilian goal. 2-0 Netherlands in the 17th minute.
Brazil missed 2 more chances before the break. The number of misses by their strikers and their sloppy defense made their fans miserable. Even small kids were seen shedding tears and watching the proceedings with open, gaping mouths. No sort of motivation could help them - even the crowd's nonchalant Mexican Wave was of no use.
Second half saw possession and defending from the Dutch, until the first minute of extra time when Wijnaldum converted a wonderful Janmaat-Robben combo to thunder the 3rd goal in. Brazil were playing without any real purpose till then, and the Brazilian players looked sucker-punched out of the game.
Netherlands won comfortably, and became worthy 3rd place winners. As for Brazil, they need to revamp a lot of things without Scolari at the helm now (he's sure to step down). They will have to build a much better team around Neymar, but more importantly, they will need to fix their collective shattered spirits to get back into competitive action again.