Holland clinch third place in the 2014 World Cup after a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts Brazil. Robin Van Persie nets his fourth goal of the tournament, whilst Daley Blind and Georginio Wijnaldum also find the net in Louis Van Gaal’s final match in charge:
Van Persie Back in the Goals
Despite a series of poor displays over the knockout stages, the United striker kept his role in the starting XI last night. Louis Van Gaal made just two changes to his line-up, bringing in Jordy Clasie and Jonathan de Guzman for Wesley Sneijder and Nigel de Jong in the centre of the park, with Georginio Wijnaldum tucking in behind Van Persie and Arjen Robben up top.
Having failed to net since Matchday 2, the United man quickly rediscovered his scoring touch against the beleaguered hosts. An early foul on Arjen Robben allowed Van Persie the chance to fire home an excellent spot-kick and take his tally to four for the tournament – level with Lionel Messi and Neymar and eclipsing Robben’s total of three for the Dutch. Elsewhere amongst the attackers, Sneijder’s absence proved beneficial to Wijnaldum. Previously utilised as part of the central midfield four, a move to a more advanced role allowed the PSV man to grab his first goal of the campaign in the latter stages of the match and afford us a decent differential for last night’s encounter.
Blind Delivers Again
Handed a role on the left of the midfield four, the versatile Ajax man served up the points at both ends of the pitch last night to justify our Fantasy faith. Blind’s first-half strike took his attacking returns to a goal and three assists over seven appearances, whilst his 70th-minute withdrawal still afforded owners a fourth clean sheet of the campaign – last night’s result means Holland conceded just a single goal in their final five fixtures of Van Gaal’s tenure, providing Fantasy managers with points aplenty over the tournament.
Brazil End With a Whimper
Thiago Silva’s return from suspension made little difference as the demoralised hosts were taken apart again. Phil Scolari made six changes from the side that were beaten 7-1 by Germany but the Brazil defence once again let down its Fantasy owners – the 3-0 win means they managed a single clean sheet over seven matches and conceded an incredible 14 goals. The likes of Willian, Ramires and Jo were handed starts further up the pitch but made little impact and, since losing Neymar to injury, Brazil have managed a single goal in two matches in a dire end to the tournament.
In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Stefan de Vrij was top performer for recovered balls amongst the Dutch with an impressive 13, followed by Jordy Clasie (five) and Daley Blind (four). For Brazil, the back-four were the main men – Thiago Silva managed six, with David Luiz on five and Maxwell and Maicon next in line on three apiece.
