Dutch advance as Melo suffers
Wesley Sneijder dumped favourites Brazil out of the World Cup as Netherlands finally got the better of their South American nemesis. But they had to come from behind to avenge their heartbreaking defeats of 1994 and 1998 and book their place in the semi-finals.
Robinho, who had already had an effort ruled out for offside, fired the Brazilians ahead with just ten minutes gone, and the Dutch struggled to cope during the opening 45 minutes.
But Felipe Melo's 53rd-minute own goal gave them fresh impetus and Sneijder won it 22 minutes from time as Melo was dismissed for stamping on Arjen Robben.
However, Netherlands will have to do without both full-back Gregory van der Wiel and midfielder Nigel de Jong for Tuesday's semi-final in Cape Town after both collected second bookings.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff had claimed dismissively before the game that he would not pay to watch this Brazil team, and if he did stay away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, he may have been glad he did so at half-time.
Dunga's men may not possess the all flair of their forebears, but they had more than enough to cut Netherlands open almost at will, and the 1-0 lead they enjoyed at half-time was scant reward for their dominance.
Robinho thought he had given the South Americans the lead with just eight minutes gone after Luis Fabiano and Dani Alves combined to carve open the path to goal and he supplied the finish.
An offside flag ended that celebration, but the £32.5 million man did not have to wait too long for a chance to ease his disappointment.
This time, it was defensive midfielder Melo who split the Dutch rearguard wide open with a straight ball down the middle, and Robinho left orange shirts floundering in his wake as he beat keeper Maarten Stekelenburg with consummate ease.
But for Stekelenburg, the game would effectively have been over by the break with the Ajax man pulling off a fine one-handed save to keep out Kaka's curling 31st-minute effort after Robinho and Luis Fabiano had left Netherlands once again chasing shadows down the left.
The keeper was relieved to see full-back Maicon's rasping drive, which bore similarities to Carlos Alberto's stunning strike in 1970, tear into the side-netting in injury time with the Dutch very much up against it.
But they resumed in more determined fashion, and they got their reward within eight minutes of he restart when, after Sneijder had curled a cross hopefully into the penalty area, Julio Cesar and Melo challenged each other and the ball went in off the midfielder's head.
Robben started to cause problems in the wake of the goal, but Alves flashed a long-range effort just wide and Kaka also went close at the other end as Brazil responded.
But it was Netherlands who took the lead with 22 minutes remaining when Kuyt flicked on Robben's corner and Sneijder steered a header into the net.
Melo received his marching orders five minutes later for senselessly stamping on Robben with his side's World Cup dream rapidly unravelling.
Andre Ooijer's last-ditch tackle denied Kaka five minutes from time, and there was no way back for the five-time winners.
But Felipe Melo's 53rd-minute own goal gave them fresh impetus and Sneijder won it 22 minutes from time as Melo was dismissed for stamping on Arjen Robben.
However, Netherlands will have to do without both full-back Gregory van der Wiel and midfielder Nigel de Jong for Tuesday's semi-final in Cape Town after both collected second bookings.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff had claimed dismissively before the game that he would not pay to watch this Brazil team, and if he did stay away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, he may have been glad he did so at half-time.
Dunga's men may not possess the all flair of their forebears, but they had more than enough to cut Netherlands open almost at will, and the 1-0 lead they enjoyed at half-time was scant reward for their dominance.
Robinho thought he had given the South Americans the lead with just eight minutes gone after Luis Fabiano and Dani Alves combined to carve open the path to goal and he supplied the finish.
An offside flag ended that celebration, but the £32.5 million man did not have to wait too long for a chance to ease his disappointment.
This time, it was defensive midfielder Melo who split the Dutch rearguard wide open with a straight ball down the middle, and Robinho left orange shirts floundering in his wake as he beat keeper Maarten Stekelenburg with consummate ease.
But for Stekelenburg, the game would effectively have been over by the break with the Ajax man pulling off a fine one-handed save to keep out Kaka's curling 31st-minute effort after Robinho and Luis Fabiano had left Netherlands once again chasing shadows down the left.
The keeper was relieved to see full-back Maicon's rasping drive, which bore similarities to Carlos Alberto's stunning strike in 1970, tear into the side-netting in injury time with the Dutch very much up against it.
But they resumed in more determined fashion, and they got their reward within eight minutes of he restart when, after Sneijder had curled a cross hopefully into the penalty area, Julio Cesar and Melo challenged each other and the ball went in off the midfielder's head.
Robben started to cause problems in the wake of the goal, but Alves flashed a long-range effort just wide and Kaka also went close at the other end as Brazil responded.
But it was Netherlands who took the lead with 22 minutes remaining when Kuyt flicked on Robben's corner and Sneijder steered a header into the net.
Melo received his marching orders five minutes later for senselessly stamping on Robben with his side's World Cup dream rapidly unravelling.
Andre Ooijer's last-ditch tackle denied Kaka five minutes from time, and there was no way back for the five-time winners.
MATCH SUMMARY
Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder - Over the past 12 months ample evidence has been provided that the Inter Milan Treble-winner is more than capable of determining the outcome of a game, and in Port Elizabeth he once again proved decisive. It was Sneijder's cross into the box that Felipe Melo headed past his own goalkeeper and Sneijder who edged Netherlands in front with a clinical header. He outshone his opposite number in the No. 10 shirt, Kaka, with ease.
Netherlands verdict: Yet again, Bert van Marwijk's side were unable to produce a dominant performance but they continue to grind out results, and who would bet against them having eliminated many observers' favourites for the tournament? Much like Brazil, Netherlands have eschewed their traditions of brilliant football and instead have produced a robust, well-drilled and determined side. It might not be Total Football, but it is total vindication for Van Marwijk's approach in this World Cup. They may rue the loss of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong for the semi-finals due to suspension though.
Brazil verdict: Dunga's men looked to be on course for the semi-finals when Robinho scored after ten minutes but despite that early promise and some neat passing moves, they played within themselves in Port Elizabeth. An uncharacteristic defensive error allowed Netherlands to equalise and from then on, Brazil imploded. Poor marking allowed Sneijder to head home and when Felipe Melo was shown a deserved card for a horrible stamp on Arjen Robben, their fall from grace was complete. Defeat in this manner will surely ensure Dunga is savaged by a hostile press. A campaign that promised so much ends prematurely.
Could do better: Felipe Melo - It started so well when his perfect through-ball released Robinho for the opening goal, but the Juventus midfielder had a nightmare of a second half. Twenty minutes after heading the ball into his own net, Melo blatantly and petulantly stamped on Robben to earn a red card. He should hang his head in shame.
Stat attack: This is the first time since 1954 that Brazil has had two red cards in one tournament.
Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder - Over the past 12 months ample evidence has been provided that the Inter Milan Treble-winner is more than capable of determining the outcome of a game, and in Port Elizabeth he once again proved decisive. It was Sneijder's cross into the box that Felipe Melo headed past his own goalkeeper and Sneijder who edged Netherlands in front with a clinical header. He outshone his opposite number in the No. 10 shirt, Kaka, with ease.
Netherlands verdict: Yet again, Bert van Marwijk's side were unable to produce a dominant performance but they continue to grind out results, and who would bet against them having eliminated many observers' favourites for the tournament? Much like Brazil, Netherlands have eschewed their traditions of brilliant football and instead have produced a robust, well-drilled and determined side. It might not be Total Football, but it is total vindication for Van Marwijk's approach in this World Cup. They may rue the loss of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong for the semi-finals due to suspension though.
Brazil verdict: Dunga's men looked to be on course for the semi-finals when Robinho scored after ten minutes but despite that early promise and some neat passing moves, they played within themselves in Port Elizabeth. An uncharacteristic defensive error allowed Netherlands to equalise and from then on, Brazil imploded. Poor marking allowed Sneijder to head home and when Felipe Melo was shown a deserved card for a horrible stamp on Arjen Robben, their fall from grace was complete. Defeat in this manner will surely ensure Dunga is savaged by a hostile press. A campaign that promised so much ends prematurely.
Could do better: Felipe Melo - It started so well when his perfect through-ball released Robinho for the opening goal, but the Juventus midfielder had a nightmare of a second half. Twenty minutes after heading the ball into his own net, Melo blatantly and petulantly stamped on Robben to earn a red card. He should hang his head in shame.
Stat attack: This is the first time since 1954 that Brazil has had two red cards in one tournament.
