Fifa World Cup: Double Dutch strike sinks Chile

The Netherlands defeated Chile 2-0 on Monday to win their group and likely avoid a World Cup showdown with Brazil.

Super-subs Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay grabbed the late goals to settle a hard-fought clash in Sao Paulo.

The victory gave Holland a 100 per cent record at the top of Group B after earlier wins against Spain and Australia.

More importantly the win is expected to see Louis van Gaal's side steer clear of Brazil in the last 16, and play either Croatia or Mexico instead.

The identity of the Netherlands' opponents will only be confirmed after the final matches in Group A later Monday.

Brazil face Cameroon in Brasilia while Croatia take on Mexico.

The Netherlands, missing suspended captain Robin van Persie, finally broke through Chile's defence on 77 minutes.

Daryl Janmaat whipped in a cross and Fer rose high to thunder home a header.

In the dying minutes, Arjen Robben burst clear down the left flank and crossed for Depay to stab home from close range.

Both the Netherlands and Chile had already secured their second round qualification after posting wins over Australia and reigning champions Spain.

The best moment from an otherwise sterile first half saw Arjen Robben set off on a mazy run from half way and beat several players before dragging his shot wide of the far post.

Stefan de Vrij should have given the Netherlands the lead when he dived to meet a Robben free-kick but he contrived to miss the target from four yards out.

Robben at least seemed determined to add to his tournament-leading three goals and he came closest for the Dutch after the break with a low shot after another driving run, Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo getting down well to parry though.

Just before that Chile's Alexis Sanchez had befuddled Daley Blind wide on the left before firing from a tight angle straight at goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

Depay injected some urgency into the Dutch play with a rasping drive that Chile captain Bravo tipped over the bar.

But he could do nothing about Fer's header, his first touch after coming on, from the resulting corner routine moments later.

Depay sealed the win in injury time after sliding in at the back post to convert Robben's cross.

KICK-OFF

Jeremain Lens has replaced the suspended Robin van Persie for the Netherlands in Monday's Group B game against Chile who have dropped injury doubt Arturo Vidal to the bench.

Both teams have already qualified but are keen to grab top spot and avoid the likelihood of meeting hosts Brazil in the last 16.

Striker Van Persie, joint top scorer at the World Cup on three goals, was suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the first two games.

In two other changes from the 3-2 win over Australia, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and forward Dirk Kuyt come in.

Defender Bruno Martins Indi, who suffered concussion in the Australia game, and Jonathan de Guzman, have dropped to the bench.

In Chile's only change from their last match, midfielder Vidal is included among the substitutes, with Felipe Gutierrez starting in his place.

Vidal had knee surgery last month and was an injury doubt before the game.

Teams for Monday's 2014 World Cup Group B match between Netherlands and Chile at the Corinthians arena, Sao Paulo.

TEAMS

Netherlands: 1-Jasper Cillessen; 2-Ron Vlaar, 3-Stefan de Vrij, 5-Daley Blind, 7-Daryl Janmaat; 6-Nigel de Jong, 20-Georginio Wijnaldum, 11-Arjen Robben, 10-Wesley Sneijder; 17-Jeremain Lens, 15-Dirk Kuyt

Substitutes: 4-Bruno Martins Indi, 8-Jonathan de Guzman, 12-Paul Verhaegh, 13-Joel Veltman, 14-Terence Kongolo, 16-Jordy Clasie, 18-Leroy Fer, 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 21-Memphis Depay, 22-Michel Vorm, 23-Tim Krul

Chile: 1-Claudio Bravo, 4-Mauricio Isla, 17-Gary Medel, 18-Gonzalo Jara, 2-Eugenio Mena; 20-Charles Aranguiz, 21-Marcelo Diaz, 5-Francisco Silva, 16-Felipe Gutierrez; 7-Alexis Sanchez, 11-Eduardo Vargas

Substitutes: 3-Miiko Albornoz, 6-Carlos Carmona, 8-Arturo Vidal, 9-Mauricio Pinilla, 10-Jorge Valdivia, 12-Cristopher Toselli, 13-Jose Rojas, 14-Fabian Orellana, 15-Jean Beausejour, 19-Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, 22-Esteban Paredes, 23-Johnny Herrera

Referee: Bakary Gassama (Gambia)