Football
10y

Brazil and Mexico advance, Dutch win

World Cup hosts Brazil set up a meeting with Chile in the round of 16 as a 4-1 victory over Cameroon secured top spot in Group A.

Neymar opened the scoring for Brazil on 17 minutes, deftly sidefooting into the corner of the net after Luiz Gustavo won possession and played across the box.

However, Cameroon hit back when Joel Matip -- who had just seen a header come back off the crossbar -- found the net after Allan Nyom had battled his way past Dani Alves.

Brazil soon restored their advantage, though, when Neymar charged into the box and was allowed the space to pick his spot.

Early in the second half, Brazil extended their lead when David Luiz crossed for Fred to score his first goal of the tournament, and Fernandinho made it four late on.

Mexico also progressed from Group A as a glut of late goals saw them emerge with a 3-1 victory against Croatia.

El Tri finished level with Brazil on seven points but had to settle for second place as a result of the hosts' superior goal difference.

Mexico came closest to taking the lead in the first half when Hector Herrera's stunning 25-yard drive came back off the woodwork, and they were left furious when the referee failed to award a penalty despite an apparent Darijo Srna handball in the area.

However, they opened the scoring on 72 minutes when veteran captain Rafa Marquez headed home from a corner and with Croatia still reeling, Andres Guardado rounded off a quick passing move by smashing home for 2-0.

Ante Rebic came close to reducing the arrears only to see his goal-bound shot cleared by Moreno, and El Tri extended their advantage when Javier Hernandez headed home at the far post following a corner.

Croatia grabbed a consolation goal on 87 minutes when Ivan Rakitic set up Ivan Perisic to slot home, but Niko Kovac's men ended the game with 10 men after Rebic was dismissed for a dangerous tackle.

Mexico will face Netherlands in the next round after Louis van Gaal's men secured top spot in Group B with a 2-0 victory over Chile.

- Honigstein: Dutch duo take on the world
- Delaney: Netherlands have nothing to fear

Both sides had gone into the match after recording back-to-back wins in their opening games against Spain and Australia, but the Dutch needed only a draw to top the group as a result of their superior goal difference.

Netherlands made the breakthrough on 77 minutes. Memphis Depay saw a shot tipped over by Claudio Bravo and, from the ensuing corner, the ball came to Daryl Janmaat, who crossed for Leroy Fer to head home.

Chile battled to find a way back into the game but succumbed to a late Dutch counter as Arjen Robben set up Depay at the far post to ensure Louis van Gaal's men made it three wins out of three.

Spain ended their 2014 World Cup on a positive note with a 3-0 victory over Australia in Group B.

- Alvarez: Old guard rally for Spain
- Brooks: Review needed as Australia exit

The defending champions had already known they would exit the competition at the group stage after losing to Netherlands and Chile but, playing for pride against the Socceroos, they secured their first points in Brazil.

Spain scored in open play for the first time at this summer's tournament when David Villa flicked in a cut-back from former Atletico Madrid club-mate Juanfran for his 59th international goal.

Fernando Torres then made it 2-0 as he latched onto a perfectly weighted Andres Iniesta assist before tucking into the net, and Mata rounded off the scoring when he found space at the far post to control a Cesc Fabregas pass and slot home.

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