Dutch subs sink Chile to top group

Peter Jenson, dpa

The Netherlands beat Chile 2-0 in the Corinthians Arena Monday to top Group B at the World Cup thanks to Louis van Gaal's super-subs.

Arjen Robben and Alexis Sanchez both came close to breaking the deadlock but the game appeared to be heading towards stalemate when Van Gaal made his changes.

First, Leroy Fer headed in from a corner and then Memphis Depay turned in Robben's cross to leave the Dutch top of Group B.

"It was luck" said Van Gaal.

"I know how well Fer finishes with his head and I knew he had an advantage over Chile in that respect. But he still had to get into that position and take his chance.

"And the second goal that Depay scores is really all about Robben's brilliance on the counter-attack. That was the key to the goal."

Robben collected the man of the match award after the game and praised opponents Chile who join the Netherlands in the next stage.

"Chile finished second in the group but they are playing great football and I congratulate them," Robben said.

The Bayern Munich winger also said his team would now have to focus on the next stage of the tournament.  

"We don't want to stop here. We can enjoy the moment but this is not over. We have to look forward. Nine points in three games is fantastic but we don't want to stop." 

Not only did the win in the Sao Paolo sunshine give the Dutch a 100 per cent record in the group, it also means they are now likely to avoid Brazil in the next round.

In a tense start, the first chance did not come until minute 12 when Eugenio Mena's cross was headed goal-wards by Eduardo Vargas.

With Dirk Kuyt playing as a left wing-back in a five-man defensive wall it was evident that the Netherlands knew a draw would see them top the group. 

Van Gaal had parked the orange bus and the only way around in the opening 20 minutes were the runs of Eugenio Mena down the left.

Mena forced a corner and when it was drilled in low to Felipe Gutierrez the Twente midfielder pulled his shot wide.

Francisco Silva was then booked for what looked like an unintentional trip on Jeremain Lens and from the resulting free-kick Wesley Sneijder gave Claudio Bravo his first save.

The Netherlands were coming more and more into the game and Nigel De Jong robbed Charles Aranguiz and quickly fed Robben who lost possession.

Robben then whipped over a free-kick to the back post where Stefan de Vrij climbed highest but headed just wide in what was the best Dutch chance of the first half.

Chile claimed a penalty when Kuyt pushed Alexis in the area but referee Bakary Gassama waved away the appeals.

Robben's influence was growing, however, and on one of his typical diagonal runs into the area he got away from Gary Medel but shot just wide.

Chile replaced Gutierrez with Jean Beausejour at the start of the second half but there was no change in the stalemate with a long shot from Alexis the only effort on goal in the first 15 minutes.

Daley Blind hacked down Alexis and was booked. The free-kick came to nothing but a moment of sublime skill from Alexis followed.

He put the ball through the legs of De Jong inside the area but then shot straight at Jasper Cillessen from a tight angle.

Robben responded for Chile with a shot from the edge of the area that Bravo got down well to save. Chile brought on Jorge Valdivia but more importantly Van Gaal brought on Fer and Depay.

Depay's shot from the edge of area was tipped over by Bravo and from the resulting corner Fer broke the deadlock with a header.

Chile tried to find the equaliser but were undone on the break as Robben's pace took him clear and he crossed for Depay to put the result beyond doubt.