Mexico came close to what could have been their greatest achievement at the World Cup in 28 years but were denied qualification to the quarter final as the Dutch made a late comeback to win 2-1.
The Mexicans dominated the match for the greater part of first half and second half before taking the lead in the 48th minute thanks to Giovanni Dos Santos’s 25 yard strike.
The dutch trailed in the energy sapping conditions of Fortaleza and seemed to be chasing until the midway of the latter half. They needed to score the equalizer.
Captain Robin Van Persie was seen off for Klass Jan Huntelaar before the 88th minute equalizer. The ball came out to Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the penalty area for a shot into the bottom corner off his right foot.
All the dutch fans who had already booked flights back to Amsterdam immediately retreated as the Oranje celebrated their World Cup dream rescue.
Mexican fans who were yet to make the journey to Brazil were heartbroken with a reason to stay as the side conceded a late penalty
in the final three minutes of regulation and injury time.
Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored from the penalty spot to send the crowds into a frenzy following Rafael Marquez’s foul inside the penalty area that brought Arjen Robben down.
Mexico, led by affable Miguel Herrera and the players could not believe they had faltered at the last. At the final whistle at Estadio Castelao, the Mexicans fell to the ground in disbelief as the loss marked their sixth consecutive loss in the second round since 1994.
Netherlands now look forward to a quarter final tie with Costa Rica in the last eight in Salvador after their 5-3 victory on penalties.