Hosts Brazil will take on Netherlands for the third position match at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium, Brasília today.
It is the one game that no team ever wants to take part in, but the encounter at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium took on extra significance after the hosts’ dream of lifting the trophy at the Maracana 24 hours later was ended by their record 7-1 loss against the Germans.
It will be the 12th international match between the two teams and fifth in World Cup finals. Both teams have won three matches each while five match ended with out a result. Brazil scored 15 and conceded the same number of goals in these matches.
The match will be the fifth meeting of the countries at the World Cup, with both sides having recorded two victories so far. The Netherlands emerged 2-1 winners in the last eight in South Africa four years ago. Brazil beat Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw in the semi final at Marseilles on July 7, 1998.
The match could prove to be Luiz Felipe Scolari’s last in charge, and the coach is likely to make changes to a team whose confidence has been so badly damaged.
While Brazil play for pride, Netherlands will want to preserve their unbeaten record in this competition, having lost out only on penalties to Argentina in the semi final
Before that, the Dutch had beaten Spain, Australia, Chile and Mexico, and edged out Costa Rica in a shootout in the last 16.
HEAD TO HEAD:
Matches played: 11
Brazil won: 3
Netherlands won: 3
Draw: 5
Goals Scored:
Brazil: 15
Netherlands: 15
BRAZIL-NETHERLANDS IN WORLD CUP:
Date Venue Type Result Score`
03-07-1974 Dortmund Second round Netherlands beat Brazil 2-0
09-07-1994 Dallas Quarter-finals Brazil beat Netherlands 3-2
07-07-1998 Marseilles Semi-finals Brazil drew Netherlands 1-1**
02-07-2010 Port Elizabeth Quarter-finals Netherlands beat Brazil 2-1
** Brazil beat Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after 1-1 draw in 1998.