World Cup 2014 Brazil » Third place » Live commentary: Brazil - Netherlands 0:3

Fulltime Summary:
The idea to simply skip this game doesn't look as bad after all. Brazil pretty much continued where it had left off against Germany, the Netherlands benefited from awful officiating and a capital error early and the Seleção simply couldn't challenge the opponents in the remainder. The game consequently developed into a boring affair, the Dutch didn't need to do anything and Algerian referee Haimoudi continued to add strange decisions to his résumé. The game fittingly concluded with an unsportsmanlike move by Louis van Gaal, who subbed in his third goalie just to give him a cap. This game will soon be forgotten and we can be sure that the final will be way more thrilling tomorrow!

Probably the controversial Louis van Gaal just wants to give third keeper Michel Vorm his World Cup cap, but this is not sportsmanlike. The ensuing boos are well justified.

Goooal for Netherlands, 0:3 by Georginio Wijnaldum
Like you needed more evidence that it's easy against this Brazilian defense, Robben sends the overlapping Daryl Janmaat down the right side and the substitute delivers a fine cross to the midfielder, who is all by himself and has no problems finishing form eight yards.

Hulk and Ron Vlaar exchange words and that might be the most passion we've seen from all Brazil players today.

Hulk delivers a set-piece but the dutch remain dominant in the air.

Jasper Cillessen has had a largely quite evening and picks off another cross easily as well.

Some fans are trying to avoid traffic and start to empty the stands.

Brazil had numbers for a second, but Hulk is looking for his own shot and eventually runs into a wall named de Vrij.

Willian has some space in midfield, but is easily tackled.

Georginio Wijnaldum gets into Robben's way in the penalty area and takes away a potentially great chance from the Bayern man.

That's the third major mistake by Haïmoudi and one can be sure that the Algerian won't be seen another time in a major tournament.

How much confidence has David Luiz lost this tournament? It will surely be interesting how the centre back will settle into his new role in Paris as he continues to perform shaky.

This time it's indeed David Luiz taking the shot, but the centre back can't redo his magic from the game against Mexico and the ball safely sails into Cillessen's mitts.

Ramires! The winger utilizes a tiny space through the middle and gets a shot off that sails just wide of the left post.

Replacement Hernanes is well late against Robben and should have been booked seconds after his substitution.

Oscar continues to try to fuel his team, he just has so little support.

Fernandinho (Brazil) is shown a yellow card
The City player is late against United's van Persie.

The hosts continue to push forward, but they remain uninspired as well.

Ramires accelerates through the middle, but his final touch into the box is loose and the guests can clear for a corner.

The second half starts with a surprising change, because Luiz Gustavo was indeed one of the better performing midfielders the Seleção had to offer.

Halftime Summary:
Brazil looked more lively today and had encouraging approaches, but awful officiating and yet another capital error by David Luiz set up an uphill battle for the Seleção in the second half. The Netherlands are only doing what they have to, but are still able to mostly contain the opposing front line. The bright spot for the hosts has been Oscar, the Chelsea man drew a lot of fouls and delivered dangerous set-pieces into the box. Stay tuned!

De Guzmán brings Jordy Clasie into play on the left, but the cross can't reach Robin van Persie in the middle.

No it's Oscar who curls the ball into the wall. Maxwell then places the second attempt well high.

This should have been the next booking as Ron Vlaar is well late against Ramires, but at least the next dangerous set-piece is developing.

Let's say the hosts have shown some encouraging signs throughout, but they need that breakthrough.

So close! It's again the Chelsea man that is brought down and then delivers the low cross from the right. David Luiz nearly gets to the ball at the far post, but is inches short in his attempt to tap it into an empty net.

Another cross comes to nothing for Brazil, who still look more and more dangerous on the wings.

Oscar delivers another dangerous cross into the danger area, but Brazil is not quite able to apply the final touch off their set-pieces so far.

Meanwhile the spectators are having fun and doing the wave.

The defensive effort from Brazil remains lackluster. Robben has way too much space on the right wing and squares to De Guzman, whose shot is well high.

Willian tracks down a long ball on the right side and earns cheering from the stands. Nothing evolves form it though.

Maybe Brazil needs that individual brilliance to get going. Maicon bullies through the middle, but sees his shot blocked at the edge of the box.

Strangely Brazil is spiked with elite talent and international expertise, but as a team it just doesn't work.

Fittingly Jonathan de Guzmán, who delivered the preceding cross, was offside. Awful officiating so far.

The crowd is back into the game and it's getting louder.

The Dutch pressing looks halfhearted at the moment as only Robin van Persie challenges the defense. Meanwhile Oscar can't get a whistle on the left after being brought down.

Oscar is the danger man for Brazil again, this time he can't reach Jô with his cross.

Seems like the Dutchman will now settle for counterattacks and look what the Seleção has to offer.

The hosts try to shake off the early deficit, Oscar accelerates down the left side and delivers a dangerous cross, but Ramires cannot get to it.

Goooal for Netherlands, 0:1 by Robin van Persie
The United striker confidently finishes into the top right corner.

Penalty to Netherlands! Robben delivers an early shocker, but Jamel Haimoudi has this one wrong! The Munich player outpaces Thiago Silva after being served by van Persie. Robben cuts in front of the captain and is clearly brought down, but outside the box.

And we're underway.

Wesley Sneijder is a late scratch for the guests with a muscular problem. He is replaced with Jonathan de Guzmán.

The Seleção surely will have to win back the crowd, but deserves a proper goodbye anyway. They clearly were unable to shoulder the immense load, but overall the team lacked quality in all areas and did the best they could. We can probably also hope that some of those anxious approaches we've seen in the knockout stage are loosened for this final game. The teams are able to celebrate an attacking style and should be more willing to show it today.

Luiz Felipe Scolari tried to shift focus on today's task rather than looking back to the embarrassment. The third place was a much smaller dream than they wanted, but they had to move on and take pride in wearing the shirt of the national team, the coach said in front of the game. At least Brazil can once again count on Thiago Silva, who was severely missed in the semi due to a suspension and will start again today.

The difference maker for tonight could very well be the motivation going into a rather meaningless matchup. Dutch Coach Louis van Gaal initially dismissed the game as a match which should never be played, but fields his best team anyway, because he wants to finish the tournament unbeaten - something a Dutch side has never achieved. The only change to the semis is Jordy Clasie, who replaces Nigel de Jong in midfield.

Janosch Ferda is commentating for you. Enjoy!