Netherlands substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar set up one goal and converted a penalty in the dying minutes as they recovered to beat Mexico 2-1 in an astonishing finale to their World Cup last 16 clash on Sunday.
The result condemned the unfortunate Mexicans, who were 1-0 up with two minutes to go and seemingly headed for the last 16 for the first time since 1986, to a sixth second-round exit in six consecutive tournaments.
Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder broke Mexican hearts when he drilled home an unstoppable half-volley to equalise after a knock down from Huntelaar following a corner.
With extra time looming, the Netherlands’ livewire winger Arjen Robben weaved into the penalty area and went down under a challenge from Mexico captain Rafael Marquez.
The Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca pointed to the spot and Huntelaar calmly sent goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa the wrong way with a perfectly executed penalty kick.
The Dutch, who were on the back foot for much of the game, will play either Greece or Costa Rica in Salvador next Saturday and will fancy their chances of making the last four.
It was a heart-breaking end for Mexico, who have now reached the last 16 at every World Cup from 1994 and always lost.
Their last quarterfinal appearance was in 1986 on home soil and the only other time they made it to the last eight was in 1970, when the finals were also in Mexico.
“The tension was unbelievable, I’ve never lived through anything like that,” Dutch defender Daley Blind said.
“We showed a lot of character in coming back. We couldn’t find our men with our passes in the first half, we struggled to get to the ball, but we came back stronger in the second.”
Source: Supersport