World Cup

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Attendance: 58,817

World Cup | Round of 16

Jun 29, 2014 at 5pm UK

Netherlands
2-1
Mexico

Sneijder (88'), Huntelaar (90+5' pen.)

FT(HT: 0-0)

dos Santos (48')

Netherlands through to World Cup quarter-finals after late drama against Mexico

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor

Published: June 29 2014 | 18:57

Last updated: June 30 2014 | 18:53

Netherlands score twice in the final moments to come from behind and beat Mexico in their World Cup last-16 clash in Fortaleza.

Netherlands dramatically scored twice in the final moments to come from behind and beat Mexico in their World Cup last-16 clash in Fortaleza this afternoon.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Netherlands and Mexico at Castelao on June 29, 2014 © Getty Images

The Dutch lost holding midfielder Nigel de Jong to injury inside the first 10 minutes and Mexico soon had a dominant spell.

Hector Herrera dragged a shot wide before he appeared to be denied the ball in the penalty area by high foots from both Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij. Mexico appealed for a penalty, but Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca didn't agree.

Hector Herrera of Mexico goes for a header against Stefan de Vrij (L) and Ron Vlaar of the Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match in Fortaleza on June 29, 2014 © Getty Images

The hot and humid conditions in Fortaleza meant that one cooling break was allowed per half to allow the players to take on fluids.

Three minutes before the interval Giovani dos Santos was presented with a shooting opportunity from a tight angle but couldn't get the better of Jasper Cillessen.

Netherlands then wanted a penalty of their own when Arjen Robben seemed to be taken out by a combination of Rafael Marquez and Hector Moreno in the area, but once again Proenca opted against pointing to the spot.

Mexico's forward Giovani Dos Santos is watched by Netherlands' defender Ron Vlaar as he celebrates with teammates after scoring during a Round of 16 football match between Netherlands and Mexico at Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World © Getty Images

Mexico broke the deadlock just three minutes after the resumption when Dos Santos rifled a bouncing ball low into the corner from 25 yards.

The Dutch came within of inches of an equaliser just before the hour mark when De Vrij volleyed at goal from inside the six-yard box but was somehow denied by the strong hands of Guillermo Ochoa, who managed to palm the ball against the inside of the post.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico makes a save after a shot at goal by Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Netherlands and Mexico at Castelao on June 29, 2014 © Getty Images

Moments later it was Wesley Sneijder to go close. The Galatasaray man was fed by Robben but had his shot deflected up and inches over the crossbar.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Robben had his clearest sight of goal when he glided into the box but couldn't beat Ochoa from a tight angle.

Netherlands' forward Arjen Robben vies for the ball with Mexico's defender Miguel Layun and Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa during a Round of 16 football match between Netherlands and Mexico at Castelao Stadium in Fortaleza during the 2014 FIFA World © Getty Images

It looked like the Dutch would go out in the first knockout stage after winning every single group game until Sneijder struck with two minutes of normal time remaining.

A loose ball fell his way from a cross and he kept his cool to slam a volley low into the corner.

Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands shoots and scores his team's first goal past Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Netherlands and Mexico at Castelao on June 29, 2014 © Getty Images

Oranje then sent Mexico home with an injury-time penalty from substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar after Robben had been brought down in the box by Marquez.

Louis van Gaal's side will next face the winner of tonight's match between Costa Rica and Greece in the quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon.