The Netherlands finished top of Group B after goals from Leroy Fer
and Memphis Depay gave them a win over Chile in a tempestuous encounter
in Sao Paulo.
Both teams had already qualified for the second round after starting with wins over Spain and Australia.
Norwich City man Fer headed in with his first touch in the 77th minute, before Depay tapped home in stoppage time.
Chile will now face Brazil in the last 16, with Louis van Gaal's side meeting Mexico.
Monday's meeting in Sao Paulo had failed to live up to expectations given the four previous games involving the two teams had seen 17 goals.
The Dutch were missing the suspended Robin van Persie, while Chile rested midfielder Arturo Vidal and their absence was keenly felt as the game reached the interval with neither keeper having been forced into a save.
Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez looked most likely to force an opener for the South Americans with his clever movement and eye for a pass causing Van Gaal's backline concerns on a number of occasions.
Key facts |
---|
Netherlands have taken nine points from the group stage for
the second World Cup in a row; they haven't lost a World Cup group game
since 1994. |
Chile have won only two of their last 12 World Cup clashes with European opposition. |
This was only the second time in their last 13 World Cup matches Chile had failed to score. |
The first half's only other moments of note owed more to the two teams' physical approach, with the flow of the game interrupted by numerous niggling fouls.
It took until the 65th minute for the first real save of the game, Jasper Cillessen forced to beat away Sanchez's effort at his near post.
That sparked a response from the Dutch as Robben fired straight at Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal after a positive run at their defence.
Depay then brought a good save from the keeper with a powerful shot from range. From the resultant corner the Oranje worked the ball back to Daryl Janmaat and his deep cross was met by the head of the unmarked Fer, who had been introduced just moments earlier.
With Jorge Sampaoli's side needing a win to finish top of the group they pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were unable to fashion a clear chance and Depay wrapped up the win in the dying seconds when he converted Robben's low cross on the breakaway.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal: "Of course I know that Leroy Fer can shoot from far out and can move forward on opponents, I know he is good with headers and that gives you have an advantage against Chile.
"Memphis, we analyzed that Chile gives away more space in the last 15 minutes so if you field a creative football players you have a chance to cash in. He made a wonderful goal.
"We are not giving much away and we are creating opportunities. This is being confirmed by the results, if it wasn't then you'd chop of my head, I'm sure of it.
"My players and my group, we want to score one goal more than the opponent."
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli: "I think that this was a match that we expected, with the Netherlands trying to use lots of people on the counter attack.
"We looked for victory, we wanted to win and we couldn't find a solution to a team that only defended and only aspired to long-range shots, not even counterattacks.
"This is a Chile that I am proud to be at the helm of, in spite of the fact that we didn't get a result.
"The courage of the group, they have their heads held high and they are getting ready for the round of 16."
Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)
Netherlands
- 01 Cillessen
- 07 Janmaat
- 15 Kuyt (Kongolo - 89' )
- 05 Blind Booked
- 02 Vlaar
- 03 de Vrij
- 20 Wijnaldum
- 06 de Jong
- 10 Sneijder (Fer - 75' )
- 11 Robben
- 17 Lens (Depay - 69' )
Substitutes
- 04 Martins Indi
- 08 de Guzmán
- 12 Verhaegh
- 13 Veltman
- 14 Kongolo
- 16 Clasie
- 18 Fer
- 19 Huntelaar
- 21 Depay
- 22 Vorm
- 23 Krul
Chile
- 01 Bravo
- 04 Isla
- 02 Mena
- 18 Jara
- 17 Medel
- 05 Silva Booked (Valdívia - 70' )
- 21 Díaz
- 16 Gutierrez (Beausejour - 45' )
- 20 Aránguiz
- 07 Sánchez
- 11 Vargas (Pinilla - 81' )
Substitutes
- 03 Albornoz
- 06 Carmona
- 08 Vidal
- 09 Pinilla
- 10 Valdívia
- 12 Toselli
- 13 Rojas
- 14 Orellana
- 15 Beausejour
- 19 Fuenzalida
- 22 Paredes
- 23 Herrera
Ref: Bakary Gassama
Att: 62,996
Live Text Commentary
Full time
88:49 Attempt missed. Gary Medel (Chile) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gonzalo Jara with a cross following a corner.
88:31 Substitution
87:15 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Leroy Fer.
87:10 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
86:55 Delay in match Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands) because of an injury.
86:23 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Dirk Kuyt.
84:40 Offside, Chile. Mauricio Isla tries a through ball, but Jorge Valdívia is caught offside.
84:39 Attempt blocked. Mauricio Isla (Chile) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
82:50 Foul by Mauricio Isla (Chile).
82:50 Memphis Depay (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:23 Jorge Valdívia (Chile) wins a free kick on the right wing.
82:23 Foul by Leroy Fer (Netherlands).
81:21 Mauricio Pinilla (Chile) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:21 Foul by Nigel de Jong (Netherlands).
80:38 Attempt missed. Marcelo Díaz (Chile) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mauricio Pinilla following a corner.
Full Time Match ends, Netherlands 2, Chile 0.
90:00 +3:05 Full time
Full Time Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, Chile 0.
90:00 +1:02 Goal scored
Goal!
Goal! Netherlands 2, Chile 0. Memphis Depay (Netherlands) right
footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted
by Arjen Robben following a fast break.
90:00 +0:11 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Terence Kongolo. 88:49 Attempt missed. Gary Medel (Chile) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Gonzalo Jara with a cross following a corner.
88:31 Substitution
Substitution Substitution, Netherlands. Terence Kongolo replaces Dirk Kuyt because of an injury.
87:46 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Nigel de Jong. 87:15 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Leroy Fer.
87:10 Delay over. They are ready to continue.
86:55 Delay in match Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands) because of an injury.
86:23 Corner, Chile. Conceded by Dirk Kuyt.
84:40 Offside, Chile. Mauricio Isla tries a through ball, but Jorge Valdívia is caught offside.
84:39 Attempt blocked. Mauricio Isla (Chile) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
82:50 Foul by Mauricio Isla (Chile).
82:50 Memphis Depay (Netherlands) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:23 Jorge Valdívia (Chile) wins a free kick on the right wing.
82:23 Foul by Leroy Fer (Netherlands).
81:21 Mauricio Pinilla (Chile) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81:21 Foul by Nigel de Jong (Netherlands).
80:38 Attempt missed. Marcelo Díaz (Chile) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mauricio Pinilla following a corner.
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