Netherlands beats Brazil 2-1 at World Cup

PORT ELIZABETH: Brazil’s dreams of a sixth World Cup title were shattered as the Netherlands came from behind to claim a famous 2-1 win in an enthralling quarter-final here on Friday.

An own goal by Felipe Melo - who was to be sent off later - and a Wesley Sneijder header enabled the Dutch to overturn Robinho’s early opener for Brazil and completely turn around a match that, at half-time, the five-times world champions appeared destined to win comfortably.

The defeat means Brazil’s campaign has ended at the quarter-final stage for the second successive World Cup while the Netherlands can look forward to a semi-final against Ghana or Uruguay having avenged their 1994 and 1998 last-eight defeats by the Brazilians.

The Dutch cause had not been helped by losing centreback Joris Mathijsen to a knee injury minutes before kick-off.