Here we go then.

Netherlands v. Brazil 15:00 BST

Uruguay v. Ghana 19:30 BST

On paper we have match of the tournament so far this afternoon. Let's hope it lives up to expectations. Looking for Robben to get the Dutch ahead early and force Brazil to come out and play. A Dutch journo this morning reckoned that Melo will kick Robben in to the stands early on and we won't see him again.

Tonight the last african team play. It should be a great occasion but I fancy Uruguay will have too much for them up front.

A Dutch journo this morning reckoned that Melo will kick Robben in to the stands early on and we won't see him again.

Could well happen, makes sense from a Brazil point of view, but it would pretty much end the match as a spectacle because Robben is the key for them. Apart from him I haven't been impressed with their play up front really. Shouldn't imagine Lucio and Juan will have much problem with Van Persie and Maicon may well push Kuyt back so far that he is somewhat irrelevent in attack.

Maicon may well push Kuyt back so far that he is somewhat irrelevent in attack.

As if he isn't irrelevant in attack anyway? :P

As if he isn't irrelevant in attack anyway? :P

True that, only Benitez could turn someone from a striker into a defensive winger. I'd imagine that's what he'll spend most of his time doing today as well trying desperately to contain Maicon AND Alves down their left hand side.

True that, only Benitez could turn someone from a striker into a defensive winger. I'd imagine that's what he'll spend most of his time doing today as well trying desperately to contain Maicon AND Alves down their left hand side.

Yep, it's going to be interesting to see how both teams line-up. Do Holland do their typical attacking line-up, and try and go at Brazil from the off, leaving them vulnerable on the counter? Do Brazil do that? Or do they change it entirely and they both go defensive leading to a Brazil v Portugal esq match? I'm hoping for the former, obviously.

Tactically, Brazil-Netherlands should be fascinating. Two well disciplined squads but with incredible attacks. I'm not sure it will be the most aesthetically pleasing of games but if you appreciate tactics and match ups this should be the game of the tournament.

The biggest question for me is can Bastos stop Robben? I don't think he is going to have to do it on his own and Brazil has some very physical defenders so when he cuts across and gets wacked by Lucio early, how will he respond?

The other big question is can the Dutch left contain Maicon and Alves? Kyut and his incredible work rate may prove invaluable for the Duth in this one but if he has to always track back how much does that hurt their attack?

Also can either Kaka or Snjider find any space against two solid holding midfielders? If not both teams are going to attack through their right with Robben and Maicon.

Edited July 2, 201016 yr by BigIzz

If the first minute is anything to go by Brazil do intend to give the Dutch a kicking.

Goal! Robinho, so simple. Shocking defending however.

Great run from Robinho, this could be a long night for the Dutch if that's going to be the standard of defending.

Brazil look in a different class to the Dutch, Robben is the only one who can get them back into this, he looks dangerous everytime he touches it.

The referee is killing me right now with all the fouls.

Frenzied pace, It's been good to watch, almost the opposite of what I'd thought the match might be. Brazil need to slow down the pace a little bit, the Dutch are chasing everywhere they've just got to be a little more composed and they'll get a second reasonably quickly to finish it off.

Happy Bastos wasn't sent off for that challenge, Robben made an absolute meal of it.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Sneiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijder

Nothing against Brazil, but I really want the Dutch to pull this out.

I wanted the Dutch to score, but I think it'd be a shame if Brazil lose now. They're calling that an own goal, unlucky for melo though it was probably his fault for being in the keepers way.

Sneijder again..........2-1.

Crazy crazy game. Hup Holland Hup

How is this happening? Brazil looked so comfortable. Question is whether that shaky Dutch defence can hold out. BTW the referee is starting to foul Brazil out of this, every time there is a touch on Robben he has the whistle in his mouth.

Edited July 2, 201016 yr by Spiller86

WOW! Sneijder scored! And Robinho! ;)

What a game this is turning in to. Melo off!

Edited July 2, 201016 yr by Spiller86

Double Post, sorry net is being screwy

Edited July 2, 201016 yr by Spiller86

Crazy match. Absolutely crazy. Felipe Melo sent off now aswell. Game of the tournament.

What happened to the old happy-go-lucky Brazil? These guys seem like they are all in the throes of roid rage, ready to kick off every time someone scowls at them. Even Kaka has become a bit of a bit of an ass on this team

I wish Robben hadve clocked Robinho in the jaw when he sat there pointing at him accusing him of diving, when he himself took his leg out.

Bad to worse now for Brazil. Gonna be hard to win this one with 10 men now.

We've surely all got to be rooting for Val's lads, though!

Robben is giving them the run around here, the more he goes down, the more they hack him. The red card was coming for someone. Still wouldn't be suprised if Brazil nabbed an equaliser.