Netherlands and Mexico cancelled each other out in the first half of this afternoon's World Cup last-16 tie in searing-hot Fortaleza.

The Dutch suffered an early blow when holding midfielder Nigel de Jong was forced off through injury, with Bruno Martins Indi on in his place and Daley Blind moving up into midfield.

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Mexico then had a spell on top that saw Hector Herrera drag a shot wide before he was denied the ball in the box by high foots from both Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij. Mexico appealed for a penalty, but Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca didn't agree.

Netherlands had half-chances through Georginio Wijnaldum and Robin van Persie before Proenca blew his whistle for a cooling break just after the half-hour mark because of the heat and humidity in Brazil's North-Eastern corner.

Three minutes before the break Giovani dos Santos was presented with a shooting opportunity from a tight angle but couldn't get the better of Jasper Cillessen.

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In added time at the end of the half Arjen Robben received a pass from Van Persie and seemed to be taken out by a combination of Rafael Marquez and Hector Moreno in the area, but once again Proenca opted against pointing to the spot.

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Written by
Pascal Lemesre