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Brazil, Netherlands meet in Third Place Game Saturday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 7/12/2014  at  3:38:00 AM
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2014 WORLD CUP SOCCER

BRAZIL


vs. NETHERLANDS


Kickoff: Saturday, 4:00 p.m. EDT
Nacional – Brasilia, Brazil

Line:
Brazil +135, Netherlands +180, Tie after Regulation +270
Over/Under: 3.5 Goals (Over +157, Under -178)

After disappointing semifinal losses, the Netherlands and Brazil will try to end their 2014 World Cup on a high note when they meet in Saturday's Third Place Game.

Here is the BetDSI Sportsbook preview of Saturday's match:

After struggling in their quarterfinal match against Mexico, the Dutch were fortunate to escape with a victory to put them in the semifinals. Against Argentina, however, they weren’t as lucky. The game was as dramatic as they come, with both teams failing to score a goal in over 120 minutes of play. The fate of these countries would ultimately come down to a penalty shots. Netherlands would score on two of their penalty shots, but that was not enough for the Dutch to advance to the World Cup finals. Sergio Romero made two crucial saves for Argentina and Jasper Cillessen was unable to come away with a timely save when his team needed him. Maxi Rodriguez would score the game-clinching goal for Argentina. Netherlands will now play for their pride in a third place matchup with Brazil. Brazil will be without Neymar, who missed the semifinals after fracturing his vertebrae in the previous match.

While Brazil didn’t lose in penalty shots, their loss was even more devastating than that of the Dutch. Brazil was playing without their superstar Neymar, as he had injured himself in their previous game. Without their leader, they needed to find some inspiration and rally themselves. Their performance against Germany proved that they were unable to do that. At the game’s 11-minute mark, Thomas Muller put Germany up 1-0 and the team never looked back. They scored another four goals before the first half had ended. Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle both tallied two goals for the Germans and Brazil’s championship hopes ended with a 7-1 loss. Oscar scored the only goal for Brazil at the game’s 90-minute mark. Brazil may have had the title on their mind, but they have an opportunity to end the tournament on a high note with a matchup against the Dutch on Saturday. Third place would not be an accomplishment for the favorites of the World Cup but after being blown out by Germany, the team and country can only benefit from a good performance this weekend.


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