FIFA World Cup 2014: Netherlands 2-1 Mexico

Mexico’s Rafael Marquez protests the penalty awarded by the referee

Late drama. That has been a theme at this FIFA World Cup. A Netherlands side who were woeful in their first half, had to dig deep into their reserves of grit and energy in steamy conditions in Fortaleza to see off a spirited Mexican side 2-1. Goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas Jan Huntelaar helped them win after Giovani dos Santos’ brilliant strike had given Mexico the lead early in the second half.

This was nowhere close to a World Cup winning performance, but winning even when you’re not playing well is the quality of a good side, and the Netherlands today showed that they have the potential to indeed be a very good side.

Here’s a look at how each player fared.

Netherlands

Jasper Cillesen: 6/10

CIllesen had absolutely no chance of stopping Mexico's goal that came through a sweet dos Santos strike, but apart from that, he was assured in controlling his area, and made a couple of smart saves as well.

Paul Verhaegh: 5/10

The Dutch really missed the services of Daryl Janmaat at right wing back. Verhaegh was virtually non-existent as an attacking entity, while he was caught out several times in defense as well.

Stefan de Vrij: 6/10

de Vrij had a good solid game, repelling most of the threat posed by dos Santos and Oribe Peralta. Could have had a goal of his own, but Guillermo Ochoa produced a wonder save to deny him.

Ron Vlaar: 6/10

Vlaar was supposed to be the Dutch weak link at the back in this World Cup, but he has stood up to the test admirably. He has taken on the role of leader of the defense, and today ensured that Peralta, dos Santos and Javier Hernandez did not trouble Cillessen too much.

Daley Blind: 6/10

Blind started the game as one of three centre backs but an early injury to Nigel de Jong meant he had to push up, and play the midfield role he has played with aplomb for Ajax all season. Blind was tidy in possession, but could have closed down dos Santos better for Mexico’s goal.

Dirk Kuyt: 9/10 – Man of the Match

Boy! Where does this man get his energy from?! He spent the first half down Netherlands' left flank, in the sun. In the second half, he was shifted to right back, which meant he was in the sun again. But Kuyt never stopped. He worked his socks off to try and get the Netherlands back in the game, and eventually won the corner that led to Sneijder's equalizer.

Nigel de Jong: N/A

Spent only 6 minutes on the field before hobbling off with an injury.

Georginio Wijnaldum: 6/10

Wijnaldum was assured, if unspectacular. He was tidy in possession and ensured that no mistakes were made in the Dutch midfield.

Wesley Sneijder: 7/10

Sneijder scored 5 goals in the 2010 World Cup, but the goal he scored in this game, was arguably more important than all the five that he scored in South Africa 4 years ago. With 2 minutes of normal time remaining, and the Dutch looking to anyone for inspiration, Sneijder stepped up and unleashed a ferocious strike that left Ochoa with no chance and set the Netherlands on their way.

Arjen Robben: 7/10

There will be long hard introspection into whether the penalty he won was legitimate or not but Robben will not care. Although he was well marshaled by the Mexican rearguard, he had a good game.

Robin van Persie: 4/10 – Flop of the Match

van Persie was anonymous for large parts of the game. His only notable effort was a right footed shot that he sent high and wide. Eventually, the heat of Fortaleza got to him, and he was taken off for Huntelaar.

Substitutes

Bruno Martins Indi: 6/10

Came on early for de Jong, and played his part nicely. Like most other Dutch defenders on the day, he was solid, if unspectacular.

Memphis Depay: 5/10

Depay had a quiet game by the standards that he has set for himself at this World Cup. He was never allowed any space to work with by an organized Mexican defense.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar: 8/10

Played only 20 minutes, but proved to be the game changer for the Dutch. It was his lovely cushioned header that Sneijder rifled in for the Dutch equalizer, and he was as calm as ever in dispatching away the penalty, that proved to be the eventual winner.

Mexico

Guillermo Ochoa: 7/10

Ochoa made a couple of absolutely amazing stops in the second half, but could do nothing about the two Dutch goals. Mexico's Player of the Tournament.

Paul Aguilar: 5/10

Aguilar was given a tough time by Kuyt in the first half. But in the second half, when he had to thwart Memphis Depay, he did a reasonable job.

Francisco Rodriguez: 6/10

Rodriguez ensured that van Persie and Robben barely had a sniff for 88 minutes, before it all unraveled for Mexico.

Rafael Marquez: 5/10

He made the challenge that gave away the penalty. For a player as experienced as he is, Marquez should be knowing better that to leave a stray leg out inside the penalty area.

Hector Moreno: 5/10

In the 45 minutes that he played, Moreno ensured that van Persie was reduced to feeding on scraps.

Miguel Layun: 6/10

Layun started the game brightly, with a couple of testing shots from distance, but slowly faded away as the game wore on.

Hector Herrera: 7/10

Herrera ran the game for Mexico in midfield. He ensured that Peralta and dos Santos were never left isolated upfront.

Carlos Salcido: 7/10

Given the task of making sure that Wesley Sneijder didn't flourish in the #10 role, Salcido did his job wonderfully well. Throughout the game, Sneijder never had time on the ball to pick out a pass as Salcido was always snapping at his heels.

Andres Guardado: 5/10

Guardado was anonymous for large parts of the game.

Giovani dos Santos: 7/10

Gave Mexico the lead with a sumptuous strike early in the second half. His substitution changed the course of the game, as the Dutch began to take control after that.

Oribe Peralta: 6/10

Peralta was excellent in linking up with dos Santos, and with a little more luck, could have helped Mexico maybe add another goal to their tally.

Substitutes

Diego Reyes: 6/10

Reyes came on at half time for the injured Moreno. Till late on, he was solid, and ensured that the Dutch found it very hard to find that goal they so craved.

Javier Aquino: 5/10

Aquino will have to take the blame for the Dutch equalizer, as it was he who failed to close Sneijder down, eventually leaving the Galatasaray man with an easy task of thumping the ball home

Javier Hernandez: 5/10

Hernandez was isolated upfront, after he came on, as Mexico looked to preserve their lead.