Brazil were left to settle for 4th at the 2014 World Cup after another slow start saw them crash to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands on Saturday night. After their nightmare start against Germany last time out, the last thing Brazil needed was to concede an early goal — but that’s exactly what they did.There may have been some debate about the award of the penalty, but Thiago Silva took down Arjen Robben and the spot-kick was awarded. In fact, the Brazil Captain was probably lucky to stay on the pitch. Making no mistake, Robin Van Persie fired in to give Netherlands the lead.The Brazil crowd then started to turn and the players were getting more tense by the minute. It seems only a matter of time before a mistake and so it proved. David Luiz headed straight to Blind who fired in to make it 2-0.It was then a case of damage limitation (again) for Brazil and they looked like beaten men. Oscar’s free-kick nearly gave them a lifeline, but Netherlands were always dangerous and went into the break 2-0 down.Brazil replaced Luis Gustavo with Fernandinho at the break in a bid to change their luck, but in truth – it was all rather flat. Still, if they could get the third goal of the game, they could perhaps salvage something.They did have their best spell of the game on the hour mark, but it was nothing to write home about and Netherlands still looked like the most comfortable of the two teams.Hulk then came on and showed energ, but no final reward. Brazil were set to finish 4th in the World Cup after their tournament fell apart the moment Neymar got injured.There was always a chance it would get slightly worse for the hosts and it did in injury-time. A neat move was finished off well by Wijnaldum. As for Netherlands boss Louis Van Gaal, he finishes on a high for his country. Next stop – Manchester United.
