Mexico also progressed from Group A as a glut of late goals saw them emerge with a 3-1 victory against Croatia. El Tri finished level with Brazil on seven points but had to settle for second place as a result of the hosts superior goal difference. Mexico came closest to taking the lead in the first half when Hector Herreras stunning 25-yard drive came back off the woodwork, and they were left furious when the referee failed to award a penalty despite an apparent Darijo Srna handball in the area. However, they opened the scoring on 72 minutes when veteran captain Rafa Marquez headed home from a corner and with Croatia still reeling, Andres Guardado rounded off a quick passing move by smashing home for 2-0. Ante Rebic came close to reducing the arrears only to see his goal-bound shot cleared by Moreno, and El Tri extended their advantage when Javier Hernandez headed home at the far post following a corner. Croatia grabbed a consolation goal on 87 minutes when Ivan Rakitic set up Ivan Perisic to slot home, but Niko Kovacs men ended the game with 10 men after Rebic was dismissed for a dangerous tackle. Mexico will face Netherlands in the next round after Louis van Gaals men secured top spot in Group B with a 2-0 victory over Chile. - Honigstein: Dutch duo take on the world - Delaney: Netherlands have nothing to fear Both sides had gone into the match after recording back-to- back wins in their opening games against Spain and Australia, but the Dutch needed only a draw to top the group as a result of their superior goal difference. Netherlands made the breakthrough on 77 minutes. Memphis Depay saw a shot tipped over by Claudio Bravo and, from the ensuing corner, the ball came to Daryl Janmaat, who crossed for Leroy Fer to head home. Chile battled to find a way back into the game but succumbed to a late Dutch counter as Arjen Robben set up Depay at the far post to ensure Louis van Gaals men made it three wins out of three. Spain ended their 2014 World Cup on a positive note with a 3-0 victory over Australia in Group B. - Alvarez: Old guard rally for Spain - Brooks: Review needed as Australia exit The defending champions had already known they would exit the competition at the group stage after losing to Netherlands and Chile but, playing for pride against the Socceroos, they secured their first points in Brazil. Spain scored in open play for the first time at this summers tournament when David Villa flicked in a cut-back from former Atletico Madrid club-mate Juanfran for his 59th international goal. Fernando Torres then made it 2-0 as he latched onto a perfectly weighted Andres Iniesta assist before tucking into the net, and Mata rounded off the scoring when he found space at the far post to control a Cesc Fabregas pass and slot home.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 08:40:40 +0000
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