Netherlands hit back to dump out Brazil

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Wesley Sneijder headed a second-half winner as Netherlands battled back from a goal down to beat ten-man Brazil 2-1 on Friday and secure a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Brazil, the five-times champions, took a 10th minute lead through Robinho and dominated the first-half against a Dutch team which initially looked outclassed.

But the Dutch levelled out of the blue in the 53rd minute after a rare mistake from Brazil's usually impenetrable defence, as Felipe Melo headed Sneijder's cross into his own goal.

Then Sneijder headed a winner as the Dutch, battling to their 13th successive World Cup win to maintain a perfect record in the qualifiers and finals, avenged a quarter-final defeat in 1994 and a semi-final defeat four years later.

In Image: Netherlands' Arjen Robben, top left, and Dirk Kuyt, top right, celebrate their 2-1 win with teammates

Text: Reuters

Images: AP

Coverage: FIFA World Cup