Recaps of Today: Netherlands Survive Against Australia, Spain Eliminated by Chile, Croatia Crushes Cameroon

There were three matches today of Netherlands vs. Australia, Spain vs. Chile, and Cameroon vs. Croatia. It was full of upsets, disappointments, advancing, eliminations, penalties, and red cards. First was Netherlands vs. Australia. Netherlands became the first team to qualify to the Round of 16 today thanks to the 3-2 win. While for Australia, it means elimination. Arjen Robben of the Netherlands scored in the 20th minute when he shot with his left and ht it low past Australian goalkeeper Matt Ryan for a 1-0 lead. Less than a minute later, it got even when Tim Cahill got a cross from Ryan McGowan and shot it past Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, hit the crossbar and went in for the tie. The Socceroos almost took the lead in the 31st minute when Mark Bresciano shot it over the bar. Cahill later got a yellow card, which means he will the match vs Spain. Australia scored on a penalty in the 54th when Daryl Janmaat`s hand touched the ball in the box. Mile Jedinak converted on the penalty. In the 58th, Robin van Persie scored on a high shot at the near post when he got a pass from sub Memphis Depay. the winning goal came in the 68th when Depay shot it from long distance low to his right post. Ryan got a piece of it but it was not enough for the save and Holland won 3-2.
The next game was Spain vs. Chile. Chile also qualified for the Round of 16 and will battle Netherlands for first in Group B, while Spain is eliminated and will play Australia for third place. Chile almost scored in the 1st minute when Spanish Jordi Alba deflected the ball and it went inches wide. In the 15th, Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo stopped Xabi Alonso`s shot from close range. Chile scored their first goal in the 20th minute when Charles Aranguiz passed it to Ed Vargas who beat Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas before tipping it in. Chile scored again in the 43rd when Sanchez`s free kick was saved by Casillas. It went to Aranguiz and he shot it high to beat Casillas for the 2-0 lead. Andres Iniesta almost scored in the 49th one on one, but his shot was deflected. More chances came for Spain, including in the 80th when Bravo stopped Santi Cazorla`s shot. In the 84th Iniesta`s curling shot was also saved by Bravo. In the end Chile won with Spain eliminated.
The last match today was Cameroon vs. Croatia. It became easy for Croatia when Cameroon lost a man in the 40th minute when Alex Song struck Mario Mandzukic for the red. In the 11th Ivica Olic scored with his side foot when he got a pass from Ivan Perisic. After the red, Croatia took that to an advantage. In the 48th, Perisic scored on a giveaway by Cameroon and beat the goalkeeper one on one for a 2-0 lead. Mandzukic scored in the 61st with a header from a Croatian corner to make it 3-0. 12 minutes later, Mandzukic scored on an easy tap-in after the goalkeeper Itandje of Cameroon blocked Eduardo`s low shot. In the 4-0 win, Cameroon is eliminated, while Croatia has to beat Mexico to advance on to the Round of 16.