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SBI World Cup Man of the Match: Memphis Depay

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By RYAN TOLMICH

In soccer, and in life, few things are more dangerous than just a little bit of hope. After 54 minutes and two goals, hope is exactly what Australia had, putting the highly favored Netherlands on the ropes with a 2-1 lead.

It was the Netherlands’ Memphis Depay who extinguished the Socceroos’ hope on Wednesday, providing the equalizing assist in the 58th minute before scoring the winner just 10 minutes later. Netherlands held on for the 3-2 win at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The 20-year-old helped bring Australia back down to earth by finding star striker Robin van Persie to equalize just four minutes after the Socceroos took the lead. The halftime substitute then scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 68th minute, when his long-distance swerving shot bent its way past Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan.

Depay’s impact off the bench was enough to earn him SBI World Cup Man of the Match ahead of teammates van Persie, Arjen Robben and Australia’s Tim Cahill.

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What did you think of Depay’s performance? Who stood out to you in the Netherlands comeback victory over Australia?

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Comments

  1. The goal was nicely struck and took a wicked swerve and skip, but most keepers worth their salt would have been able to push it wide. Nonetheless, it ended up in the back of the net and it was the winner, so I suppose it was Man of the Match material.

    Reply

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