Australia 2-3 Holland: Oranje Through To World Cup Last 16

Dutch And Aussies Serve Up Game Of The World Cup
Netherlands' forward Memphis Depay (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a Group B football match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)
Netherlands' forward Memphis Depay (C) is congratulated by teammates after scoring during a Group B football match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 18, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)
JUAN BARRETO via Getty Images

Australia and Holland provided the outstanding game of this flamboyant World Cup in a five-goal thriller eventually decided by Memphis Depay.

Holland's victory all but secures their qualification for the knockout stage, while Australia, despite two valiant performances, will not emerge from the group stage again.

Cillessen reacts with astonishment after he is beaten by Cahill's volley

Arjen Robben gave Holland the lead in characteristically selfish style on 20 minutes, however he was trumped 70 seconds later by the evergreen Tim Cahill.

Almost directly from the resumption, Ryan McGowan hoofed the ball into the Dutch area and Cahill, wont to scoring with his head rather than his feet, watched the ball travel 40 yards and into his vicinity before unleashing a thunderous left-footed volley that cannoned off of Jasper Cillessen's crossbar and up into the roof of the net. No one has scored a better goal at the tournament.

With Australia deservedly level at the pause and Holland forced into a tactical alteration following Bruno Martins' Indi's withdrawal, owed to a crude foul from Cahill, the underdogs had the temerity to go ahead.

Daryl Janmaat was penalised for handball inside his own area nine minutes after the restart, as a day is yet to pass by at this World Cup without a penalty being given. Aussie captain Mile Jedinak converted from 12 yards.

The danger for the Socceroos was their effort would cause them to tire, and Jason Davidson was half asleep when Robin van Persie received the ball and lashed home the equaliser. A tournament already synonymous with iffy goalkeeping, substitute Depay's shot squirmed through Matthew Ryan's palms to win a coruscating contest.

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