Netherlands finished top of Group B after goals from substitutes Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay gave them a win over Chile in a tactical and often tempestuous encounter in Sao Paulo. Both teams had already qualified for the second round after starting with wins over Spain and Australia. Norwich City midfielder Fer headed in with his first touch in the seventy seventh minute, before Depay scored from close range in stoppage time. The Dutch were missing the suspended Robin van Persie, while Chile rested midfielder Arturo Vidal and the absence of both was keenly felt as the game reached the interval with neither keeper having been forced into a save. Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez looked most likely to force an opener for the South Americans with his clever movement and eye for a pass causing Van Gaal's backline concerns on a number of occasions. 
For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben went close to continuing his record of having scored in every match when another trademark dribbling run ended with him dragging a low effort just wide. The first half's only other moments of note owed more to the two teams' physical approach, with the flow of the game interrupted by numerous niggling fouls. It took until the sixty fifth minute for the first real save of the game, Jasper Cillessen forced to beat away Sanchez's effort at his near post. That sparked a response from the Dutch as Robben fired straight at Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal after a positive run at their defence. Depay then brought a good save from the keeper with a powerful shot from range. From the resultant corner The Oranje worked the ball back to Daryl Janmaat and his deep cross was met by the head of the unmarked Fer, who had been introduced just moments earlier. With Jorge Sampaoli's side needing a win to finish top of the group they pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were unable to fashion a clear chance and Depay wrapped up the win in the dying seconds when he converted Robben's low cross on the breakaway.
Reigning champions Spain avoided the ignominy of finishing their World Cup campaign bottom of Group B with victory over Australia in Curitiba. Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata prevented La Roja from suffering a third successive loss for the first time since 1991. Villa scored the opener when he flicked in Juanfran's cross, before Moscow Chelski's Torres fired in the second. Mata slid in the third from fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas's lofted pass. The result means Spain finish third in the table with three points after one win and two defeats, while Australia end up at the bottom. During the opening thirty minutes, Vicente del Bosque's Spain played like a side bewildered by the events of their opening two games. Their play was characterised by misplaced passes, uncertainty in defence and a lack of bite in the final third. But the reliable Villa, whose inclusion was one of seven changes, eased those concerns with a familiar flicked finish nine minutes before the break to cap a move that was typical of Spain in their glory years of 2008, 2010 and 2012. Andres Iniesta threaded a pass down the right to overlapping full-back Juanfran. The Atletico Madrid played squared to Villa, whose clever finish outfoxed keeper Mat Ryan.
It was the thirty two-year-old's ninth goal in World Cups and his fifty ninth in total in what will be his ninety seventh and final game for Spain. Villa was later substituted, head bowed, and was consoled by his team-mates on the bench. The European side improved tenfold after the break as Australia - with eight of their starting eleven aged twenty sixth and under - tired as they attempted to break up Spain's trademark tiki-taka exchanges. After increasing the pressure, Del Bosque's men eventually doubled their lead in the sixty ninth minute when Iniesta's ball split the defence and found Torres, who sidefooted in. That was the Moscow Chelski forward's first World Cup goal since 2006. The final goal of Spain's campaign came eight minutes from the end. This time it was Fabregas who was the provider. The Barcelona midfielder, who had a falling out with Del Bosque during the build-up to the match, played a lovely lofted ball to The Scum's Mata at the far post. The midfielder, making his first appearance of the tournament, barely looked up before poking the ball under the body of Ryan. Sheikh Yer Man City's David Silva, who was also a substitute, went close with a drilled shot in stoppage time as his side bid farewell to a disastrous Brazil 2014 campaign with a flourish.
Neymar scored twice as Brazil began to rediscover their attacking flair to overwhelm Cameroon and qualify for the World Cup knockout stage. The twenty two-year-old produced two brilliant first-half strikes either side of a Joel Matip equaliser, with the much criticised Fred and Fernandinho assuring their side of a place in the last sixteen as winners of Group A. Standing between the hosts and a place in the quarter-finals are Chile. Unconvincing performances against Croatia and Mexico raised concerns about Brazil - and worries remain over their defence - but with Neymar at their disposal, anything is possible. The Barcelona striker was back at the scene of his spectacular goal against Japan in the opening game of last year's Confederations Cup and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will desperately hope this result can have a similar impact. Scolari named an identical line-up to the one that beat Japan, meaning Hulk returned from injury to replace Ramires in the same four-three-three formation that edged them past Croatia. Any frustration from Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Mexico appeared to have dissipated as droves of yellow-and-green-clad fans created a sensational atmosphere inside Brasilia's Estadio Nacional and Brazil responded by pouring forward in search of an early goal. They almost had it when a Paulinho shot was blocked after Neymar played in Hulk to cross, but such attacking ambition left them exposed in defence and Cameroon looked to capitalise. A sharp break ended with Marcelo blocking a goal-bound Vincent Aboubakar strike before David Luiz was forced to frantically clear Eric Choupo Moting's low centre inside the six yard box. Brazil did not, however, seem in the mood to curb their natural instincts and after Neymar had been riled by Allan Nyom's off-the-ball shove, the centre forward made his mark.
Luiz Gustavo won possession on the left and crossed for Neymar to open his body and beat Charles Itandje with a delightful first-time, side-footed finish into the bottom corner. It was a fitting way to register the one hundredth goal of this World Cup - and the same man almost made it two with a ferocious volley that Itandje did well to punch away. The stadium was rocking at that stage but would soon fall silent as Cameroon again exposed the hosts' shaky defence, Nyom beating Dani Alves and squaring for Matip to escape Luiz and finish from close range. Scolari gesticulated wildly to his players and got all stroppy and discombobulated and they responded in the only way they know, Marcelo finding Neymar to race upfield and wrong-foot Itandje for his thirty fifth goal in fifty two internationals. Neymar was now showboating and he combined with Oscar and Paulinho to set up Hulk for what would have been a sensational team effort, only for Hulk to miscue. Scolari replaced Paulinho with Fernandinho at half-time - a move many supporters and pundits have been calling for in recent days - and it had an immediate impact. The Sheikh Yer Man City midfielder sent Hulk clear, Henri Bedimo arriving with a perfectly timed challenge, and then found Luiz to cross for Fred to extend Brazil's lead with a header from three feet. He then celebrated like he'd scored a thirty five yard worldy. Replays additionally suggested he was offside but referee Jonas Eriksson awarded the goal. Fernandinho slotted home a superb fourth that his contribution deserved and Brazil's satisfaction was increased by the fact that all of their players who were one booking away from a suspension - Neymar, Thiago Silva, Luiz Gustavo and Ramires - got through the match without adding to it.
Mexico booked a last-sixteen tie against the Netherlands after knocking Croatia out of the World Cup. The Croats, who knew a win would put them through, survived a scare when a Hector Herrera strike hit the crossbar. But Rafael Marquez headed in for Mexico before Andres Guardado drove in a shot and Javier Hernandez nodded home to put them 3-0 up. Ivan Perisic scored for Croatia, whose misery was compounded when Ante Rebic was sent off late on. It was an accomplished display from the Central Americans, who nullified Croatia's threat before imposing their authority on the game. A draw would have been enough for Mexico, but they made sure of a seventh knockout stage appearance in the last eight tournaments with a victory. By contrast, Croatia crumbled in the latter stages and have now been eliminated at the group stage in four of their last five major tournaments. Croatia;s playmaker Luka Modric had claimed Mexico benefited from a 'great deal of luck' in their draw with Brazil, but it was the Real Madrid midfielder's side who enjoyed the early fortune at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Following Mexican defender Paul Aguilar's last-ditch header to stop Mario Mandzukic scoring, The Aztecs went up the other end and twice went close.
Midfielder Herrera let fly from twenty five yards and was only denied when his left-foot strike came crashing back off the crossbar, while team-mate Oribe Peralta was played through only to mis-time his effort and shoot wide. Croatia's threat was being contained and one of the rare opportunities that came their way involved Perisic latching onto a knockdown and shooting wide. Niko Kovac's side had to take more risks the longer the game progressed and, despite showing more urgency after the break, Mexico comfortably quelled them. Kovac brought on midfielder Mateo Kovacic for defender Sime Vrsaljko as he tried to improve his side's chances of scoring but it was Mexico who finally made the breakthrough. Just moments after they had strong penalty claims waved away following Srna's hands blocking a shot from Guardado, Mexico took the lead when Marquez powered in a header from a corner. Shortly afterwards, Oribe Peralta set up Guardado to fire a shot high into the net and double the advantage. Then The Scum's striker Javier Hernandez ended his eleven-game goal drought when he headed in at the far post after a Marquez flick-on to put Mexico out of reach. Perisic drove in a low effort as Mexico conceded their first goal of the finals but it was little more than a consolation as Croatia's Rebic was dismissed for a crude and nasty challenge on Carlos Pena.
Football's world governing body has cleared Mexico of improper conduct charges after claims their fans used homophobic chants at a World Cup match.The fans shouted the Spanish word 'puto' ('male prostitute' in Mexican slang) every time Cameroon's goalkeeper took a goalkick at the game on 13 June. But FIFA said the incident in question 'was not considered insulting in the specific context.' A leading anti-discrimination organisation criticised FIFA's move. Fare, which brings together activists also fighting inequality in football, said the ruling by FIFA's disciplinary committee was 'disappointing.' It added that the governing body needed to take some difficult decisions at times. Tough new rules to stop offences by fans were introduced by Fifa last year. sources have told the BBC that they are also looking into alleged discrimination by fans from Brazil, Russia and Croatia. FIFA's anti-discrimination policy says a first offence by fans or players can be punished by having to play a game behind closed doors. Subsequent or more serious offences can be punished by deducting points, relegation or expulsion from a competition. FIFA officials say they also have evidence of banners belonging to a number of far-right groups being displayed at Russia's game against South Korea and Croatia's match with Brazil.
For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben went close to continuing his record of having scored in every match when another trademark dribbling run ended with him dragging a low effort just wide. The first half's only other moments of note owed more to the two teams' physical approach, with the flow of the game interrupted by numerous niggling fouls. It took until the sixty fifth minute for the first real save of the game, Jasper Cillessen forced to beat away Sanchez's effort at his near post. That sparked a response from the Dutch as Robben fired straight at Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal after a positive run at their defence. Depay then brought a good save from the keeper with a powerful shot from range. From the resultant corner The Oranje worked the ball back to Daryl Janmaat and his deep cross was met by the head of the unmarked Fer, who had been introduced just moments earlier. With Jorge Sampaoli's side needing a win to finish top of the group they pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were unable to fashion a clear chance and Depay wrapped up the win in the dying seconds when he converted Robben's low cross on the breakaway. Reigning champions Spain avoided the ignominy of finishing their World Cup campaign bottom of Group B with victory over Australia in Curitiba. Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata prevented La Roja from suffering a third successive loss for the first time since 1991. Villa scored the opener when he flicked in Juanfran's cross, before Moscow Chelski's Torres fired in the second. Mata slid in the third from fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas's lofted pass. The result means Spain finish third in the table with three points after one win and two defeats, while Australia end up at the bottom. During the opening thirty minutes, Vicente del Bosque's Spain played like a side bewildered by the events of their opening two games. Their play was characterised by misplaced passes, uncertainty in defence and a lack of bite in the final third. But the reliable Villa, whose inclusion was one of seven changes, eased those concerns with a familiar flicked finish nine minutes before the break to cap a move that was typical of Spain in their glory years of 2008, 2010 and 2012. Andres Iniesta threaded a pass down the right to overlapping full-back Juanfran. The Atletico Madrid played squared to Villa, whose clever finish outfoxed keeper Mat Ryan.
It was the thirty two-year-old's ninth goal in World Cups and his fifty ninth in total in what will be his ninety seventh and final game for Spain. Villa was later substituted, head bowed, and was consoled by his team-mates on the bench. The European side improved tenfold after the break as Australia - with eight of their starting eleven aged twenty sixth and under - tired as they attempted to break up Spain's trademark tiki-taka exchanges. After increasing the pressure, Del Bosque's men eventually doubled their lead in the sixty ninth minute when Iniesta's ball split the defence and found Torres, who sidefooted in. That was the Moscow Chelski forward's first World Cup goal since 2006. The final goal of Spain's campaign came eight minutes from the end. This time it was Fabregas who was the provider. The Barcelona midfielder, who had a falling out with Del Bosque during the build-up to the match, played a lovely lofted ball to The Scum's Mata at the far post. The midfielder, making his first appearance of the tournament, barely looked up before poking the ball under the body of Ryan. Sheikh Yer Man City's David Silva, who was also a substitute, went close with a drilled shot in stoppage time as his side bid farewell to a disastrous Brazil 2014 campaign with a flourish. Neymar scored twice as Brazil began to rediscover their attacking flair to overwhelm Cameroon and qualify for the World Cup knockout stage. The twenty two-year-old produced two brilliant first-half strikes either side of a Joel Matip equaliser, with the much criticised Fred and Fernandinho assuring their side of a place in the last sixteen as winners of Group A. Standing between the hosts and a place in the quarter-finals are Chile. Unconvincing performances against Croatia and Mexico raised concerns about Brazil - and worries remain over their defence - but with Neymar at their disposal, anything is possible. The Barcelona striker was back at the scene of his spectacular goal against Japan in the opening game of last year's Confederations Cup and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will desperately hope this result can have a similar impact. Scolari named an identical line-up to the one that beat Japan, meaning Hulk returned from injury to replace Ramires in the same four-three-three formation that edged them past Croatia. Any frustration from Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Mexico appeared to have dissipated as droves of yellow-and-green-clad fans created a sensational atmosphere inside Brasilia's Estadio Nacional and Brazil responded by pouring forward in search of an early goal. They almost had it when a Paulinho shot was blocked after Neymar played in Hulk to cross, but such attacking ambition left them exposed in defence and Cameroon looked to capitalise. A sharp break ended with Marcelo blocking a goal-bound Vincent Aboubakar strike before David Luiz was forced to frantically clear Eric Choupo Moting's low centre inside the six yard box. Brazil did not, however, seem in the mood to curb their natural instincts and after Neymar had been riled by Allan Nyom's off-the-ball shove, the centre forward made his mark.
Luiz Gustavo won possession on the left and crossed for Neymar to open his body and beat Charles Itandje with a delightful first-time, side-footed finish into the bottom corner. It was a fitting way to register the one hundredth goal of this World Cup - and the same man almost made it two with a ferocious volley that Itandje did well to punch away. The stadium was rocking at that stage but would soon fall silent as Cameroon again exposed the hosts' shaky defence, Nyom beating Dani Alves and squaring for Matip to escape Luiz and finish from close range. Scolari gesticulated wildly to his players and got all stroppy and discombobulated and they responded in the only way they know, Marcelo finding Neymar to race upfield and wrong-foot Itandje for his thirty fifth goal in fifty two internationals. Neymar was now showboating and he combined with Oscar and Paulinho to set up Hulk for what would have been a sensational team effort, only for Hulk to miscue. Scolari replaced Paulinho with Fernandinho at half-time - a move many supporters and pundits have been calling for in recent days - and it had an immediate impact. The Sheikh Yer Man City midfielder sent Hulk clear, Henri Bedimo arriving with a perfectly timed challenge, and then found Luiz to cross for Fred to extend Brazil's lead with a header from three feet. He then celebrated like he'd scored a thirty five yard worldy. Replays additionally suggested he was offside but referee Jonas Eriksson awarded the goal. Fernandinho slotted home a superb fourth that his contribution deserved and Brazil's satisfaction was increased by the fact that all of their players who were one booking away from a suspension - Neymar, Thiago Silva, Luiz Gustavo and Ramires - got through the match without adding to it. Mexico booked a last-sixteen tie against the Netherlands after knocking Croatia out of the World Cup. The Croats, who knew a win would put them through, survived a scare when a Hector Herrera strike hit the crossbar. But Rafael Marquez headed in for Mexico before Andres Guardado drove in a shot and Javier Hernandez nodded home to put them 3-0 up. Ivan Perisic scored for Croatia, whose misery was compounded when Ante Rebic was sent off late on. It was an accomplished display from the Central Americans, who nullified Croatia's threat before imposing their authority on the game. A draw would have been enough for Mexico, but they made sure of a seventh knockout stage appearance in the last eight tournaments with a victory. By contrast, Croatia crumbled in the latter stages and have now been eliminated at the group stage in four of their last five major tournaments. Croatia;s playmaker Luka Modric had claimed Mexico benefited from a 'great deal of luck' in their draw with Brazil, but it was the Real Madrid midfielder's side who enjoyed the early fortune at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Following Mexican defender Paul Aguilar's last-ditch header to stop Mario Mandzukic scoring, The Aztecs went up the other end and twice went close.
Midfielder Herrera let fly from twenty five yards and was only denied when his left-foot strike came crashing back off the crossbar, while team-mate Oribe Peralta was played through only to mis-time his effort and shoot wide. Croatia's threat was being contained and one of the rare opportunities that came their way involved Perisic latching onto a knockdown and shooting wide. Niko Kovac's side had to take more risks the longer the game progressed and, despite showing more urgency after the break, Mexico comfortably quelled them. Kovac brought on midfielder Mateo Kovacic for defender Sime Vrsaljko as he tried to improve his side's chances of scoring but it was Mexico who finally made the breakthrough. Just moments after they had strong penalty claims waved away following Srna's hands blocking a shot from Guardado, Mexico took the lead when Marquez powered in a header from a corner. Shortly afterwards, Oribe Peralta set up Guardado to fire a shot high into the net and double the advantage. Then The Scum's striker Javier Hernandez ended his eleven-game goal drought when he headed in at the far post after a Marquez flick-on to put Mexico out of reach. Perisic drove in a low effort as Mexico conceded their first goal of the finals but it was little more than a consolation as Croatia's Rebic was dismissed for a crude and nasty challenge on Carlos Pena. Football's world governing body has cleared Mexico of improper conduct charges after claims their fans used homophobic chants at a World Cup match.The fans shouted the Spanish word 'puto' ('male prostitute' in Mexican slang) every time Cameroon's goalkeeper took a goalkick at the game on 13 June. But FIFA said the incident in question 'was not considered insulting in the specific context.' A leading anti-discrimination organisation criticised FIFA's move. Fare, which brings together activists also fighting inequality in football, said the ruling by FIFA's disciplinary committee was 'disappointing.' It added that the governing body needed to take some difficult decisions at times. Tough new rules to stop offences by fans were introduced by Fifa last year. sources have told the BBC that they are also looking into alleged discrimination by fans from Brazil, Russia and Croatia. FIFA's anti-discrimination policy says a first offence by fans or players can be punished by having to play a game behind closed doors. Subsequent or more serious offences can be punished by deducting points, relegation or expulsion from a competition. FIFA officials say they also have evidence of banners belonging to a number of far-right groups being displayed at Russia's game against South Korea and Croatia's match with Brazil.
