Here is a recap of Day Seven at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
NETHERLANDS 3 AUSTRALIA 2
They gave all they had against the mighty Netherlands, but the Dutch proved too stiff a test as Australia fell 3-2 to the 2010 World Cup finalists. Arjen Robben gave the Netherlands the lead in the opening 20 minutes, but it was short lived after a fantastic volley by Tim Cahill pulled the Socceroos level just moments later. Australia took a surprising lead in the 54th minute after a penalty kick tally by Mile Jedinak that lasted just two minutes, when Robin van Persie struck back to equalize for the Netherlands. Ten minutes later, Holland went ahead for good as Memphis Depay scored the game-winner to put the Netherlands through to the knockout stage.
CHILE 2 SPAIN 0
The World Cup will have a new champion as Chile earned a 2-0 victory to eliminate the defending World Cup title-holders Spain. Alexis Sanchez played a role in both of the Chilean goals in the first half as the Barcelona playmaker’s passes helped set up goals by Eduardo Vargas in the 20th minute and then Charles Aranguiz in the 43rd minute. Down two goals, Spain tried claw their way into the match but Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo proved too much for the defending champions. Due to their defeat, the Spanish became the third of the last four World Cup champions to be eliminated in the group stage the following tournament, but Spain also became the first defending title-holder to be eliminated after just two group stage games.
CROATIA 4 CAMEROON 0
Croatia signaled that they will not make their exit from the World Cup without a fight after a 4-0 drubbing of Cameroon that eliminated the African side from the knock out stages. Ivica Olic put Croatia ahead after just 11 minutes, but a red card expulsion for Cameroon’s Alex Song in the 40th minute swung the match even further in the Europeans' favor. From the start of the second half, Croatia took full control as Mario Mandzukic scored two goals while Ivan Perisic added another. A win for Croatia against Mexico on Monday puts the European side through to the knockout round.
The World Cup returns on Thursday with three matches. The day begins with Colombia taking on Ivory Coast at 9:00 a.m. PT before Uruguay faces England in a must-win match for the two teams at 12:00 p.m. PT. The action concludes with Japan battling Greece at 3:00 p.m. PT.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
