Mexico vs Netherlands
The Dutch came into the game tied for the most goals in the tournament. Their attack force looked unstoppable at times in their opening matches, but in this game the attack wasn't clicking. Mexico dominated the first half of the game, but they couldn't find the back of the net. At halftime the Netherlands only had 1 shot. The Mexicans were the better team and in the 48th minute Giovani Dos Santos put them into the lead. He picked up the ball in between 3 defenders in the middle of the field, and lined his shot back across the keeper from 25 yards out. The shot beat the keeper and found the side netting (http://gfycat.com/SadAnotherCarp). After allowing the opening goal, the Netherlands woke up. Mexico was pushed back onto their heels as the Dutch came after the equalizer. The Netherlands were able to create a lot of half chances, mostly through Robben, but nothing was going in for them. The game should have been tied in the 57th minute, when Blind's point blank shot was saved incredibly by Ochoa (http://gfycat.com/FavorableDeterminedHuemul). As the game went on, it just seemed like it wasn't their day. They needed at least 1 goal to stay alive. In the 76th minute Huntelaar came on for Robin Van Persie. The substitution would end up being the deciding factor in the match. In the 88th minute Huntelaar headed down a corner right into the path of Wesley Sneijder. After not performing up to his standards in the first 3 games, Sneijder silenced his critics. He rifled his shot into the near post, past Ochoa, and gave the Netherlands salvation (http://gfycat.com/QuarterlyHorribleAlbatross). The prospect of playing an additional 30 minutes wasn't something the Dutch wanted to do, they wanted to find the winner in regulation. In 2nd half stoppage time Arjen Robben won a penalty for the Netherlands. His work rate had been tremendous all game long, and his speed and quick feet coaxed Rafa Marquez into the challenge that led to the penalty (http://gfycat.com/FormalWellmadeAmericanlobster). Huntelaar stepped up to the spot, sent Ochoa the wrong way, and slotted the ball into the left side of the net (http://gfycat.com/OpenRevolvingHawaiianmonkseal). The Netherlands road wasn't stopping in the round of 16, but the Mexicans were knocked out in the second round for the 6th time in a row. The Dutch will go onto to face the winner of the Costa Rica vs Greece match.
Costa Rica vs Greece
The most unlikely round of 16 match-up in this World Cup turned out to be one of the most dramatic of the tournament. Both teams defend first, attack second. The Greeks were able to prevent the Costa Ricans from creating any real chances, but they weren't able to produce much going forward themselves. In a game of such few chances it seemed like the Greeks were heading home after the 52nd minute. A hole in the Greek defense left Bryan Ruiz with acres of space atop the Greek box. He received a pass from the left and cooly passed the ball into the side netting (http://gfycat.com/CoordinatedSatisfiedAtlasmoth). The shot seemed to travel in slow motion as it rolled towards the far post. The Greeks now had to take the game to the Ticos, but against the stern Costa Rican defense it was always going to be tough to score. The Greeks were given a lifeline in the 66th minute, Duarte was sent off for the Costa Ricans after getting his second yellow card of the match. From that point on it was all Greece. The Costa Rican defense was under siege for the final half hour of the match, but they held firm. The Greeks just couldn't find the equalizer. In first minute of stoppage time the chance finally came for the Greeks. A long ball was flicked on to Gekas whose initally shot was saved well be Navas, but the rebound fell straight to Sokratis who smashed it home from 8 yards out (http://gfycat.com/BestEmotionalHorsemouse). The goal pushed the game into extra time and eventually to penalties. Both teams took exceptional penalties but Navas was able to get his hands on Gekas' spot kick and the Costa Ricans advanced to the quarterfinals 5-3 on penalty kicks (http://gfycat.com/ViciousMasculineArkshell).
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