Mexico Robbed by Robben.

Knockout  Round of 16

Holland   2               Mexico   1

Sneijder (88)                      Dos Santos (48)

Huntelaar (90 pen)

Costa Rica   1            Greece  1

Ruiz (52)                                Papastathopoulos (90)

Costa Rica win 5-3 on penalties

Arjen Robben admits to diving.  Shock, horror.  Although he doesn't admit to diving for the winning penalty where he dived and conned the ref.  Sometimes I wish players would just keep their big mouth's shut, we know you cheat Robben, we know you dive, but there is no need to admit to diving when you didn't and lie about when you did.  Twat!  

Anyway with the game coming to an end Mexico were one nil up and looking toward a place in the quarters, when all of a sudden a 3 minute turn around the French knocked the unlucky Mexican's out of the world cup, that must be worse than losing on penalties.  It's  heartbreak for Mexico after they, like many other unfancied teams have put up such a good show at this years tournament.  Holland looked as though were going to be beaten, not just by the Mexican's but ultimately by the 38 degree heat.  The Dutch didn't look their flowing footballing selves and the ridiculous heat must have been a major reason behind this.  Fair play to the Dutch though they did what very good football teams do, they found a way to win, and that is what wins you tournaments.

The Dutch will now play little Costa Rica after a man of the match performance from the goalkeeper Ramon Tikaram.  47 year old Tikaram normally known for his acting roles in Dream Team and This LIfe, put in a near Schmichaelesque type display, at times fending off the never say die Greeks on his own.  Tanita Tikaram's older brother pulled off a range of top class saves after the Costa Rican's were reduced to ten men.  Their backs were against the wall for nearly an hour of this game as 10 played 11.  It ended in a penalty shoot out after an extra time that saw players from both teams looking dead on their feet.  It was Tikaram who saved the day though as his penalty shootout save from Gekas set up Michael Umana to score the winning penalty.  The Costa Rican's had lead from the 52nd minute but just failed to hold on to full time when Greece scored another late equaliser, defender Sokratis, who was obviously named after the philosopher and not after the late great Brazilian chain smoking midfielder, who was named after the same philosopher, pounced on a Tikaram parry in the 92nd minute.  Tikaram made up for this slight mistake ten fold though and it is now a showdown with the mighty Dutch that await in the quarter finals on Saturday.

Tikaram was asked if their would be a twist in his sobriety after the game, he told the interviewer he would get absolutely fuck faced if they managed to get passed Holland.

Nevas, Schmichaelesque at times