World Cup

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Attendance: 68,034

World Cup | Third-Place Match

Jul 12, 2014 at 9pm UK

Brazil
0-3
Netherlands

FT(HT: 0-2)

Van Persie (3' pen.), Blind (17'), Wijnaldum (90+1')

Half-Time Report: Netherlands pile more misery on Brazil

By Barney Corkhill, Editor

Published: July 12 2014 | 20:47

Last updated: July 14 2014 | 08:23

The Netherlands add further misery to Brazil's World Cup campaign by taking a two-goal lead into half time of the third-place playoff.

The Netherlands have added more misery to Brazil's unravelling World Cup campaign by taking a 2-0 lead into half time of the third-place playoff this evening.

Netherlands' forward and captain Robin van Persie takes a penalty kick to score a goal during the third place play-off football match against Brazil on July 12, 2014 © Getty Images

The hosts got off to a nightmare start in Brasilia as Arjen Robben was hauled down by Thiago Silva when through on goal after less than two minutes.

The foul appeared to take place outside the area, but the referee pointed to the spot and then decided to show the returning Brazilian skipper a yellow card, despite him being the last man.

Brazil's defender and captain Thiago Silva (L) reacts after fouling Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben in the penalty area during the third place play-off football match on July 12, 2014 © Getty Images

Robin van Persie eventually stepped up to take the spot kick, and the Manchester United striker made no mistake with a fine strike into the top corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Brazil in the 16th minute as David Luiz failed to adequately clear Jonathan de Guzman's cross, gifting the ball to Daley Blind, who fired it past Julio Cesar.

Daley Blind of the Netherlands (L) celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Brazil with teammate Bruno Martins Indi during the 2014 FIFA World Cup 3rd Place Playoff on July 12, 2014 © Getty Images

Holland continued to threaten and tested Cesar again shortly after the half-hour mark when Van Persie's strike from outside the area was held by the keeper.

Brazil's first real piece of goalmouth action came with seven minutes left in the half as Oscar's free kick was flicked on by Luiz Gustavo, only for it to fizz across goal, inches away from a number of yellow shirts.

Van Persie had another sight of goal towards the end of the first half, but once again his strike from distance was saved in routine fashion by Cesar.

The half-time whistle was once again greeted by boos and jeers from the home fans as they went into the break with another tough deficit to make up.