Things were all going according to the Dunga-approved Brazil plan against the Netherlands in their quarterfinal match Friday. One of Dunga's defensive midfield prodigies, Felipe Melo, got off to a flying start as he sent a splitting through-ball in between a gaping hole in the Dutch defense, sending Robinho on his way to an early goal and Brazil to seemingly another semifinal appearance. Remember, Brazil hadn't lost in the 38 games all-time in World Cup play after scoring the first goal. But Melo was yet to leave his biggest impact on the match.In the 53rd minute, the match was turned on its head. Well against the run of play, Wesley Sneijder sent a dangerous cross from the right side into the mixer, where Melo decided to get in the way of assured Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar, impeding him from claiming the ball and supplying a touch of his own to help the Jabulani fly into the net and send the orange-clad Dutch supporters into raptures. Congratulations to you, Felipe Melo, you were just credited the first own goal in Brazil's long World Cup history. Ole! Be sure to send your thanks to Cesar as well, who probably had no business coming off the line in the first place.
The 68th minute saw the Netherlands take an amazing lead when it played a near-post corner to Dirk Kuyt, who flicked on to a wide-open Sneijder, who clinically finished with his head from a standing position at the back post. The closest man to him? Melo.
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