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BRASILIA, Brazil – Robin van Persie and Daley Blind scored a goal each to give the Netherlands a 2-0 halftime lead over host Brazil in the third-place match at the World Cup on Saturday.
Van Persie converted a penalty kick three minutes into the match after Arjen Robben was brought down by Brazil captain Thiago Silva. Blind added to the lead in the 17th with a shot from near the penalty spot after defender David Luiz made a mistake while trying to clear a cross in front of the goal.
Brazil was coming off a devastating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semifinals, while the Dutch lost to Argentina on penalties.
The Netherlands would finish the tournament unbeaten in regular play if it wins the third-place match.