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Spectacular reflex saves by Mexican G Ochoa notwithstanding, their luck runs out as the furious Dutch get off the Sneijd(er) with an equalizer at 3 minutes left in FT; then, a penalty by Huntelaar in stoppage time has the goaltender looking the wrong way & his side leaving the competition with a 2-1 victory for the Netherlands.

One of the annoying things about fouls, is how the referees tend to take into account the rigid results of calling them before blowing the whistle.

For example, in the Costa Rica game now, the Greek guy broke into the free in the penalty box, and took a lovely shot that was blocked by the goalie. But after he kicked, the CRC guy slid under his legs, with studs up, hitting him and knocking him over. Never even touched the ball.

Anywhere else on the field, that would have been an illegal challenge from behind, and there’d be a free kick and the guy would have a yellow card. In fact, they just did that call a little while ago.

But no way the ref is going to give a penalty kick when the foul happened AFTER the guy had a clean shot at the goalie.

The Greek striker is unable to touch the ball past the sliding Costa Rican G, who gets a knee on the attempt & keeps the R/16 match scoreless at the Half.