The knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup began on Saturday, June 28, 2014. On day two of the knockout stage Netherlands was set to face Mexico. The Netherland would show their resilience and win in a nail-biting comeback 2-1.
The headline to start the game was the return of Netherlands captain Robin van Persie. He sat out of their last match in the group stages due to a suspension via USNews. The team also was featuring the addition of Dirk Kuyt at left back and Paul Verhaegh at right back.
To start the game Mexico was controlling most of the first half. Nigel de Jong, veteran defender for the Netherlands, left the game early in the ninth minute with a possible injury which was a big loss for the Dutch.
The first half ended a tie with no goals.
To start the second half it only took Mexico three minutes to score. It was the 48th minute when Giovani Dos Santos gave Mexico the lead according to NYTimes.
GOAL: #NED 0-1 #MEX @OficialGio scores a wonder goal from distance #joinin #worldcup #NEDMEX – http://t.co/hIOrTO7Cn5
— FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 29, 2014
With things looking grim for the Dutch Wesley Sneijder became the hero when he scored in the 89th minute to tie the game. Just three minutes later Arjen Robben drew a penalty in Mexico’s box which lead to a Netherlands penalty kick. Klaas Jan Huntelaar, the substitute, buries the penalty kick into the lower left corner. He ran to the corner flag and karate kicked it in celebration.
Nobody likes to lose but this was a real heartbreaker for the Mexican national team.
Group winning teams are now three for three with wins in the first game of the knockout stages.