Netherlands take third place at Brazil's expense

The Netherlands claimed third place in the FIFA World Cup as some clinical finishing ensured Brazil's home finals ended on a losing note.

In front through Robin van Persie's third-minute penalty in Brasilia, Daley Blind doubled the Dutch lead 14 minutes later and the Netherlands never looked like letting that early advantage slip. Indeed, Georginio Wijnaldum made it three a minute into added time as the Oranje finished third in the tournament for the first time.

Beaten on penalties by Argentina in the semi-finals, the Dutch made a perfect start to Louis van Gaal's last game in charge as Arjen Robben was pulled down by Thiago Silva with barely 60 seconds on the clock. Although Júlio César dived the right way, Van Persie's perfectly-placed spot kick found the top corner of his net.

Having conceded seven goals against Germany in their semi-final, Brazil struggled to regroup and fell further behind with 17 minutes gone. Jonathan De Guzmán timed his run perfectly down the right and, though David Luiz reached his cross, his header found only Blind who fired high into the net.

Brazil strove for a way back into the game, although it was almost 3-0 when De Guzmán shot just over after more good work from Robben. The set pieces of Oscar looked the hosts' likeliest source of a goal, Paulinho and Luiz narrowly failing to apply the finishing touch to one free-kick.

A Netherlands side who conceded only four goals in the tournament held Brazil at bay thereafter, and looked dangerous on the break with Robben particularly prominent. The forward played a key role in the crowning third, holding on to possession before freeing Daryl Janmaat down the right. Wijnaldum applied the decisive touch to the cross to make certain Van Gaal's reign would finish on a high.