A disastrous week for Brazilian football was topped off by another retched display, this time in the third-place playoff against The Nederlands, where they fell to another heavy defeat.Â
Following Germany’s 1-7 mauling of the hosts on Tuesday, Brazilians were hoping for some pride to at least be restored into the team and the players were eyeing the bronze medals that awaited the winners.
Brazil lined up with their complete Chelsea trio from the start, with Willian, Ramires and Oscar all lining up in the hosts midfield. Former Chelsea man and the heavily criticized David Luiz kept his place in the defence.
Brazil and their fans seemed to be quietly optimistic about a win from the start; at least, it couldn’t get much worse than Tuesday night, could it?
However, the game got off to an even worse start than that of midweek, as Robben was released through the Brazilian central defence and was in on goal. In a desperate attempt to recover, Thiago Silva tugged back the former Chelsea man and conceded the penalty.
Despite the contact appearing to take place outside the box, the spot kick was given. Many expected the referee to send Silva off due to him clearly being the last defender but, perhaps because we had not even reached the first minute yet, the referee opted for a yellow.
Robin van Persie dispatched the spot kick with easy, into the top right corner, and Brazilians were fearing the worst for the remainder of the match. 0-2 after 2 minutes.
The game lacked clear but chances for the following thirteen minutes until it went from bad to worse for Brazil. De Guzman’s cross was horribly dealt with by Luiz, who headed it straight back into the danger area instead of safely out for a corner, and Daley Blind had the time to bring it down, control the ball and smash home Holland’s second from around 12 yards.
Cillessen was forced into a good save following Oscar’s clever mazy run and eventual strike, but it was a save you may expect the Dutch shot stopper to be making.
The remainder of the half lacked chances as Brazil looked disheartened and The Nederlands understandably comfortable on a two goal cushion. Brazil had the chance to pull one back as Oscar’s freekick evaded everyone as it was swung in, but no one could get a telling touch.
The Nederlands very comfortable at the break. 0-2.
Ramires had Brazil’s best effort of the first quarter of an hour of the second period, as he evadad Vlaar around 20 yards from goal, but the Chelsea midfielder could only drag his shot just past the far post.
From now, Brazil were having the majority of possession and seemed to have a bit more confidence going forward, but never really looked like a team anywhere near recovering from that 1-7 drubbing.
Oscar was unbelievably booked for diving after going down after clear contact from Blind in the box. There was so much contact in fact, that Blind had to be subbed off after injuring his knee in the challenge. First yellow card of the World Cup for simulation, but incorrectly given. Brazil can feel hard done by there.
Brazil failed to create any telling chances for the remainder of the game and their misery was confounded in the first minute of five additional minutes, as Nederlands sealed their victory in style.
Wijnaldum converted Janmaat’s cutback after he was set away by Robben. Wijnaldum’s first time was just enough to force it’s way past Cesar, who’s touch wasn’t enough to keep it out.Â
Brazil’s World Cup capitulation is finally ended by the full time whistle which signals a 0-3 win for The Nederlands and they take third place in this year’s World Cup, while Brazil must settle for fourth.
Oscar was arguably Brazil’s brightest spark and looked most likely to create anything, while Ramires and Willian were somewhat quiet in a subdued Brazil performance.
All the hopes of a perfect World Cup for Brazil in their home country came crashing down on Tuesday and with Scolari holding a meeting over his future with officials tonight, this performance won’t help his bid to remain manager.
Andre Schurrle is now flying the blue flag of Chelsea in the World Cup, and his Germany side will look to become champions of the world as they take on Argentina tomorrow evening.
