World Cup 2014 Brazil - Day 7 Review

Australia 2-3 Netherlands

Some would tell you that Holland would have displayed yet another dominant performance against the Australians, but the Green and Golds just didn't allow it. As expected Holland opened the scoring with Robben slotting one past goalkeeper Matt Ryan. Then, just 40 seconds later Tim Cahill replied with an early contender for goal of the tournament. The ball was floated from the wide right position perfectly weighted and falls behind two jumping defenders onto Cahill's left foot as he volleyed it into the underside of the bar and in.

After a closely contested first half the Australians came out firing for the second taking the lead through Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak, who made it 2-1 to the Aussies. Four minutes later Holland's number 9, Robin Van Persie levelled the game again. It was believed that 10-15 thousand of the 34,000 capacity at the Estadio Beira-Rio, were Socceroo fans. They made a superb atmosphere from start to finish only to see their side defeated by a Memphis Depay goal 20 minutes from time.

Man of the match: Arjen Robben/ Tim Cahill - 8/10

Spain 0-2 Chile

The Spaniards were slaughtered in their national press back home after what was described as "The start to the end" for coach and players alike in this years competition. You would have expected the Spanish to be ready to fight, but you couldn't be further from the truth. The players of Spain looked to have accepted that they have had their time and the need to defend their title is none existent. Chile took full advantage of this lazy attitude as Casillas made a 2nd mistake in 2 games to send his team 1-0 down as Vargas fired the underdogs ahead.

The second half came and still we waited for the defending champion's class and comeback. No such luck as a Alexis Sanchez's free kick was flapped at by Casillas and straight into the path of Aranguiz who sent it floating past a stretched Casillas, and sealed their fate. The World Cup will not be going back to Spain as they crash out.

Man of the match: Vargas - 7/10

Croatia 4-0 Cameroon

Croatia played a calm and solid game in their opening game against a Brazil side that got all the luck and 50/50 decisions to cross the line. You could see in that performance the quality the team had and that shone threw again this evening as they eased passed a poor Cameroon outfit. Goals from Ivica Olic, Everton transfer target Ivan Perisic and two from Mario Mandzukic allowed the Croats to enjoy their second group game.

Man of the match: Mario Mandzukic/ Ivan Perisic - 8/10