MX23RW : Thursday, December 26 01:09:36| >> :600:1716630:1716630:
[monks data]
Attendance: 62,699
Netherlands national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 23, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Chile national football team

2-0

Fer (77'), Depay (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Player Ratings: Netherlands 2-0 Chile

Sports Mole's player ratings from Netherlands' 2-0 win over Chile in Sao Paolo, which ensured that the Dutch would top World Cup Group B with maximum points.

Late goals from Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay earned Netherlands a 2-0 victory over Chile in Sao Paulo this evening, which ensured them top spot in World Cup Group B.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action.


Members of the Netherlands' national team pose for the team photo prior to the Group B football match between Netherlands and Chile at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014© Getty Images

NETHERLANDS

Goal

Jasper Cillessen: Was probably expecting a busier afternoon, but in the end his only save came in the form of a routine near-post block to keep out Sanchez. (6/10)

Defence

Daryl Janmaat: Lacking support on the Dutch right, Janmaat was often outnumbered and had a hard time dealing with Eugenio Mena, but he showed his attacking strengths with a delightful cross for Fer's header. (6/10)

Ron Vlaar: Was again a strong presence in the Holland backline and made a couple of important interceptions, but his job was made easier by Chile only playing one up top, and an ineffective frontman at that. (7/10)

Stefan de Vrij: Even without Feyenoord colleague Bruno Martins Indi alongside him, he was assured at international level and is already a regular despite his tender years. Perhaps could have done better with a first-half header from Robben's free kick. (7/10)

Daley Blind: Is a fine footballer, but was asked to practically play as a third centre-half and he was susceptible to the ball over the top. Without the support of Dirk Kuyt, Mauricio Isla and Sanchez could have run riot. (5/10)

Midfield

Dirk Kuyt: The former Liverpool man does the dirty stuff very well, and his selection ahead of young prospect Memphis Depay soon showed its worth as his defensive discipline kept Isla quieter than usual. (7/10)

Nigel de Jong: Provided Holland's midfield with the energy and ball-winning ability that Chile have in abundance. He did an excellent job in ensuring that there were few holes for Chile to unpick. (8/10)

Wesley Sneijder: Had a quiet game being asked to play in a deeper role than usual. Will thrive when Robin van Persie returns to the team and he has a more familiar target to hit. (6/10)

Georginio Wijnaldum: Another attack-minded player who was forced to curb his natural attacking instincts for the good of the side. Replaced Jonathan de Guzman but did nothing to make him stand out. (6/10)

Attack

Arjen Robben: Probably the outstanding player of the tournament so far, the wideman was simply too quick and too skilful for the Chilean defenders that he had the chance to run at. Holland's failure to keep the ball meant that he did not get as much of it as he would have liked. (8/10)

Jeremain Lens: His performance will not give Van Gaal a selection headache. Is more suited to an impact substitute role at this stage and Van Persie will come straight back in. (6/10)

Substitutes

Leroy Fer: Made the crucial breakthrough with an excellent header back across goal, into the bottom corner. (7/10)

Memphis Depay: Another 20-minute cameo which showed why he is so highly rated. Produced a clever turn and powerful shot moments after his introduction, and showed great pace to keep up with Robben for his goal. (8/10)

Terence Kongolo: Came on for Dirk Kuyt on 89 minutes for only his second international cap. (6/10)


Chile players pose for a team photo prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between the Netherlands and Chile at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 23, 2014© Getty Images

CHILE:

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Could do nothing about the two goals and made an acrobatic save from Depay in the second half. Only two caps away from breaking Chile's appearance record. (6/10)

Defence

Francisco Silva: Solid and comfortable in possession. Was sacrificed after the interval as Jorge Sampaoli chased the game. (6/10)

Gary Medel: Organised his backline well, and ensured that his positioning and decision making was good when dealing with a frontline that is much quicker than him. Same old deficiencies when played at centre-back, though. (7/10)

Gonzalo Jara: Slipped in Aranguiz with a lovely first-half through ball and was happy to join in with attacks. As his teammates do, looks suspect when he is being forced back towards his own goal. (6/10)

Midfield

Mauricio Isla: Kuyt's presence as a makeshift left wing-back meant that he did not have the room in which to prosper in forward areas as he has done in their previous group games. (6/10)

Marcelo Diaz: Produced a couple of excellent set-piece deliveries and kept things ticking over with tidy midfield passing. Even as the deepest of Chile's midfielders, played a role in attacks. (7/10)

Charles Aranguiz: Kept the ball well in central areas around the halfway line, but his final ball was lacking when he was in more advanced areas. (6/10)

Felipe Gutierrez: Missed a couple of decent chances from well-worked training-ground routines and was hooked at half time. (5/10)

Eugenio Mena: Unlike Isla, did not have his natural attacking instincts stifled by a two-on-one tactic. Troubled Janmaat with his clever footwork, and often picked out a man with his crosses. (7/10)

Attack

Alexis Sanchez: Had lots of nice touches without really creating a chance for a teammate or himself. The Barcelona man is clearly feeling confident, though, and is Chile's best attacking outlet. (7/10)

Eduardo Vargas: The South Americans could have done with a more physical presence up front against a big and strong Holland defensive pairing. Was largely bullied out of the game. (5/10)

Substitutes

Jean Beausejour: As he often does for Wigan Athletic, drifted in and out of the action and did nothing to improve Chile's performance. (5/10)

Jorge Valdivia: Holland's midfield was too compact for him to pick up the ball in the hole, where he can have a real impact. Unfortunate not to start considering performance against Australia. (6/10)

Mauricio Pinilla: Only had four minutes to make an impact and should have been brought on earlier to replace the ineffective Vargas. (6/10)


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Netherlands' midfielder Leroy Fer celebrates scoring with his teammates during the Group B football match between Netherlands and Chile at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 23, 2014
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Match Analysis: Netherlands 2-0 Chile
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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