World Cup 2014: Brazil 0-3 Holland

World Cup 2014: Brazil 0-3 Holland
# 13 July 2014 00:31 (UTC +04:00)

Robin van Persie converted a third-minute penalty for the Dutch after Thiago Silva was adjudged to have fouled Arjen Robben inside the area.

Daley Blind piled further misery on Brazil when he steered home from the middle of the area.

Brazil improved as Ramires shot wide, while Oscar was denied a penalty but the Netherlands wrapped up third place when Georginio Wijnaldum swept in late on.

It completed what was a hugely disappointing World Cup for Brazil, having started as one of the tournament favourites before limping out in embarrassing fashion with a record 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germanyon Tuesday.

As an added insult, Brazil's fiercest rivals, Argentina, secured their place in the final 24 hours later, beating the Netherlands on penalties to set up the possibility of winning the World Cup at Brazilian football's spiritual home, the Maracana, on Sunday.

Having been backed so vocally throughout, supporters turned on the team in the Germany game, cheering the opposition attacks and directing loud boos at their own players, but in particular coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose long-term future as national team boss is now in huge doubt.

In the build-up to Saturday's game, Scolari had spoken of the need to play with honour and restore some of the country's wounded pride, giving what is often seen as a needless fixture an added sense of importance.

For the Netherlands, it likely remained little more than an unnecessary additional game, having perhaps overachieved in their run to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Argentina.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, whose attention now turns to new club Manchester United, said play-off games should never be played.

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