The Dutch book a berth for the Knockouts

Netherlands               3 - 2        Australia

Robben (20')                             Cahill (21')

Van Persie (58')                         Jedinak (54')

Dempay (68')

Group B was all set to kickoff it's second round of fixtures with Australia to face Netherlands at the Estádio Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre. The Dutch were coming of the back of a thumping victory against Spain. On the other hand, a loss for Australia would almost certainly eliminate them from the World Cup. Louis Van Gaal played the same team from the game against Spain with an attacking 3-4-3 formation. Ange Postecoglou opted for the widely preferred 4-2-3-1 with Tim Cahill spearheading the attack.

First Half: 1-1The Aussies started the game high on energy while the Dutch seemed to be far more complacent about their gameplay. However, in the 20' minute Arjen Robben scored the 50th goal of the World Cup making one of his regular runs to score with a sublime finish. Nevertheless, Tim Cahill equalised in the very next minute with a top notch volley that even counterpart, Robin Van Persie would appreciate. The Socceroos seemed to be giving it all they've got as Mark Bresciano missed a golden chance to take the lead via a brilliant cross by Mathew Leckie. The Australians were clearly the better team in the first half.

Second Half:2-1

The Socceroos started off from where they'd left, almost scoring, only to be denied by the referees call for a foul. Minutes later, Wesley Sneijder took a shot at goal that was narrowly off target, yet brilliantly saved by Maty Ryan. Nevertheless, the Aussies continued to attack and were awarded a penalty via a handball by Daryl Janmaat. Mile Jedinak converted from the spot to take the lead. However, similar to the first half, the equaliser was scored minutes later by Dutch ace Robin Van Persie. Australia could have taken the lead in the 68', but Mathew Leckie failed to capitalise on an open header. Seconds later they were punished as Memphis Dempay took a curling long ranger that saw the back of the Aussie net. From then on, the Dutch seemed to control the game as Ange Postecoglou took a strange decision of replacing Tim Cahill with Ben Halloran. Despite some frantic gameplay by the Socceroos, the Dutch managed to hold on to their lead up until the end of the game.

Netherlands continued their dominating gameplay to proceed to the knockouts with the solitary game against Chile remaining. They would however, be without the services of Robin Van Persie who will miss the game due to successive yellow cards. Australia, on the other hand will rue a missed chance to seal the game that could have boosted their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. To worsen things, similar to Van Persie, they would have to play the game against Spain without their star striker, Tim Cahill.