Sudáfrica 2010 - FIFA.com

14 Story of the tournament
Netherlands v. Slovakia 2-1 (1-0)
The Netherlands’ Arjen Robben (11) made a return to the
starting XI after recovering from injury, and he did not
take long to prove that the Dutch were a better team with
him in it. In the 18th minute, he ran on to a throughball
from Sneijder (10), cut inside from the right-hand side and
fi red an accurate low shot into the bottom corner despite
the attention of the Slovakian defence. The Oranje then
had a number of chances to increase their lead, and they
eventually did so through Sneijder in the 84th minute. The
Slovakians looked jaded in comparison to their previous
game against Italy. They only really found their stride in
the middle of the second half, and both Stoch (15) and
Vittek (11) had clear chances but failed to convert. Vittek did
score from the penalty spot in the 94th minute, but it was
too little, too late.
Brazil v. Chile 3-0 (2-0)
This was Brazil’s third victory over Chile at the World Cup.
After a cagey opening with very few chances at either end,
Juan (4) headed home from a Dani Alves (13) corner kick
around the half-hour mark to give Brazil the lead. Just four
minutes later, Luis Fabiano (9) put the fi nishing touches to
a slick passing move involving Robinho (11) and Kaká (10)
to make it 2-0. Chile had been deprived of three of their
fi rst-choice players due to suspension, and although they
did create a number of chances in the last 20 minutes, they
failed to reduce the defi cit. By contrast, Brazil were effi cient
and lethal in front of goal and they coasted to a 3-0 victory
and a place in the quarter-fi nals.
Paraguay v. Japan 0-0 a.e.t., 5-3 PSO
Neither of these two teams appeared to be willing
to take major risks. As a result, the game was tight
with very few chances and it was little surprise that it
fi nished goalless after 90 minutes. Extra time brought no
change to the scoreline, which heralded the fi rst penalty
shoot-out in the 2010 World Cup. Japan’s Komano
(3) only struck the bar with his kick, and as all fi ve of
Paraguay’s kickers successfully converted, it was the
South Americans who triumphed to become the fourth
CONMEBOL team to reach the quarter-fi nals. Japan were
unable to repeat their heroics of their last group match
against Denmark.