Brazil Stunned By Dutch

By: Stephen Patterson


While many soccer fans saw Brazil as World Cup contenders, the Netherlands obviously had a different view of things. In one of the most shocking games of the 2010 World Cup, the Dutch team stunned the soccer world by defeating the Brazilians in a 2-1 victory on Friday to advance the Dutch to the semifinal round. This is the second consecutive World Cup in which Brazil has failed to advance past the quarterfinals.

Even though the Netherlands were trailing at halftime, it didn't seem to derail the determination of the Dutch players. After taking an early 1-0 lead, Brazil was in shock when their lead disappeared on a own goal off the head of Felipe Melo in the 53rd minute. Once they were trailing the Dutch, it seemed the Brazilians completely lost their composure and could never recover it. Melo was ejected in the 73rd minute for stomping on the leg of Dutch player Arjen Robben. The ejection ended a rather upsetting match for Melo, as he became the first Brazilian player to score an own goal in the country's 97 game World Cup history. It's also only the second own goal in the last 40 years in the knockout rounds.

This had to be one of the most disappointing ends imaginable for the Brazilians at the World Cup. Following the match, Brazilian head coach Dunga said he had coached his last game with the team. While Dunga had planned to only coach four seasons and likely would have stepped down regardless of today's outcome, it's hard not to speculate that this loss guaranteed his departure. Not only was it the first time the team allowed an own goal in World Cup play, but it was also the first time the team lost a match at the Cup when leading at halftime (previously 35-0-2) and only the third time when scoring first (53-3-4). Brazil also became the first team to fall in this World Cup after leading at half. This marked Brazil's first defeat under now former head coach Dunga with both Kaka and Robinho playing (30-1-4).


The Brazilian team started the game off playing like the team many saw as potential champions. In the 10th minute, from a beautiful pass by Melo, Robinho sank a low shot into the goal to give Brazil the early 1-0 lead. But poor passsing and lack of composure would eventually start to wear on the team, giving the Dutch the opportunity to strike. The Netherlands took the lead on a header from one of the smallest players on the field, Wesley Sneijder, in the second half and they didn't look back. The goal, coming off a corner kick deflected off of the head of teammate Dirk Kuyt, was one of the best goals in the Cup thus far in my opinion.

With their victory, the Dutch now await the winner of today's Ghana-Uruguay match (currently 1-0 Ghana at half) to determine one of the spots for the championship match. This is the first time the Dutch have advanced to the semifinals since 1998. While the team usually falls short of expectations, having lost in the finals in their only two trips in 1974 and '78, millions of people in Holland and around the world will now be cheering for the Dutch team to bring home the countries first World Cup championship.