This is the penultimate match of this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil; the third place match that no one wants to play. While Brazil’s dreams of winning the World Cup on home soil were wrecked in brutal fashion by Germany in the semi final, the Netherlands are here having lost out in less humiliating but heartbreaking fashion in their own semi final match against Argentina.

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For Brazil, they have not looked convincing ever since the competition started. From the controversial win against Croatia to the absolute embarrassment suffered last time out and every match in between. Now, there is nothing left to play for. Not even pride. Andre Schurrle’s brace as a substitute ripped away any modicum of that left as the Selacao capitulated badly in the 7-1 semi final loss to Germany. Even the Brazil fans must have known it would be hard to beat Germany without their talismanic forward Neymar and Team captain Thiago Silva but no one expected it to be this bad. A loss of this magnitude will damage the morale of any team (Remember 5-1 demolition Spain suffered in their opening match) and it remains to be seen whether the South Americans can motivate themselves sufficiently for a match Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal labelled pointless.

The 62-year old Van Gaal who is heading to Manchester United after the tournament guided his team past the group stages in spectacular fashion, with 10 goals in three games. As the knockout stages commenced however, the goals dried up. The last time the Dutch scored was in the last gasp 2-1 win over Mexico in the Round of 16. A goalless draw against Costa Rica followed before they went another 120 minutes without scoring against Argentina. After their penalty victory against Costa Rica, the Europeans came up short this time around as Argentina keeper Sergio Romero saved two spot kicks to prevent the Dutch from reaching a second consecutive World Cup final.

TEAM NEWS

Thiago Silva is back for the hosts and the PSG defender will return to the starting line up in a bid to reorganize a defense that was shambolic in his absence. Going forward, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will grapple with the conundrum of replacing Neymar again as none of Brazil’s recognized forwards- Fred, Hulk, Jo- has scored in the last three matches.

For the Dutch, Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has played in every game, carrying the attack for most of the tournament and could be given a rest alongside Manchester United striker Robin van Persie. Memphis Depay and Klaas Jan Huntelaar who have three goals between them could replace the duo.

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Probable Lineups

Brazil (4-3-3): Cesar; Marcelo, Luiz, Silva, Alves; Ramirez, Paulinho, Oscar; Bernard, Jo, Hulk

Netherlands (3-5-2): Cillessen; Martins Indi, De Vrij, Vlaar; Blind, De Jong, Winjnaldum, Sneidjer, Janmaat; Depay, Huntelaar

PREDICTION

While Brazil will want to start the healing process by winning this match, it is very difficult to recover from such a monumental defeat in such a short time. The Dutch, on their part, will sense blood and go for the kill.

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