Final Scoreline for Match 18:
AUSTRALIA - 2
(Cahill 21', Jedinak 54' PK)
THE NETHERLANDS - 3
(Robben 20', Van Persie 58', Depay 68')
What a match!! Easily THE match of WC 2014 so far.
Both teams looked hungry, relentless and really eager to win, which made it 90 minutes of fantastic, breathless, attacking soccer. Where Australia dominated the first half for the most part, even when Robben gave Netherlands the lead in the 20th minute and almost within seconds Tim Cahill equalised, Netherlands shifted gears from the moment Australia went ahead through Jedinak's penalty kick and thumped two goals in equally emphatic fashion - one from Van Persie to equalise again 2-2, and then Memphis Depay's long ranger curled away from the Aussie keeper to thunder into the nets.
The last 25 minutes was a superb example of frentic soccer at it's finest. The scoreline could have read 3-2 in Australia's favor, before Netherlands went ahead 3-2 themselves. And at least 2 other chances by the Netherlands went goalless - once they missed a great opening right in front of goal, and one of their thundering shots was kept out by the Aussie keeper.
Final scoreline could have easily read 5-3 in Netherlands's favor, but as things stand, the Aussie boys get full marks and full brownie points for giving it their best shot, that too against one of the top teams in the world right now.
Now, all eyes are on the Spain vs Chile match. If Spain win, Australia still have a faint chance (they have to win against Spain). If Chile win, both Australia AND Spain get knocked out of WC 2014.