Live The Pitch

At the beginning of the game Brazil was 35-0-2 when leading at halftime in the World Cup. After going up a goal before halftime into today’s match, the number one team in the world broke that streak falling to the Dutch 2-1, in the first match of the quarterfinals.

Brazil opened up the match totally dominating the boys in orange. In the 10^th minute Robinho made a great diagonal run behind the Dutch defense and put his side up a goal. Felipe Melo sent an amazing ball from midfield right down the heart of the opposition’s defense and Robinho calmly tucked the ball away.

In the 31^st minute Brazil nearly went up two goals if not for some very acrobatic goaltending. After some great combination passing Kaka found himself with an open shot from the top of the box. The shot was headed right for the upper ninety but Netherland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg made what could be the save of the tournament, to keep his side down a goal.

After halftime Holland came out putting much more pressure on the Brazilians and slowly gained the momentum in the match. In the 53^rd minute Brazil Allowed its first own goal in its illustrious World Cup career off a Wesley Sneijder shot from outside the eighteen.

Arguably one of the best keepers in the world, Julio Cesar, tried to come out and punch the ball out but hit his own player instead, causing the ball to deflect off of Melo and into the back of the net.

In the 68^th minute every jaw in the world dropped to the floor, when the Flying Dutchmen scored on a corner kick to go up 2-1.

Arjen Robben sent a low ball to the near post and Dirk Kuyt flicked the ball into the middle of the six-yard box. Sneijder, the smallest man on the field at 5’7”, used every inch of his frame to send the ball into the corner of the goal. It was a terrific goal and for the first time in the tournament the Brazilians looked to be on their heels.

In the 73^rd minute Melo lost all composure when he was sent off with a straight red. After Robben fell to the ground for about the fiftieth time, Melo had had enough and stomped on the back of his leg with his cleats. Melo let his team and nation down as his side would play the rest of the game a man down.

Brazil could never regain the momentum in the match and were lucky not to get beat four to one. Dunga will have some serious explaining to do as his entire country has been criticizing his style of play. Brazil will not stand for anything besides being world champions and someone’s head has to roll.

Brazil will have to wait another four years to win its sixth World Cup, when they play host to the tournament in 2014, but don’t count on Dunga being at the helm.