Dutch courage overshadowed by Robben dive

The Bayern Munich winger's theatrical move in the dying moments prompted the referee to award the crucial spot-kick that sent the Netherlands through, leaving Mexico irate

When Robin van Persie trudged off, seemingly frazzled in the Fortaleza heat, to be replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar it seemed that this would be the enduring image of the Netherlands’ 2014 World Cup exit, as they trailed 1-0 to Mexico with only 15 minutes remaining.

But Arjen Robben inspired Louis van Gaal’s side to react, though the manner from which Huntelaar’s decisive penalty was won by the Bayern Munich winger was controversial in the extreme.

Having watched Robben throw himself to the ground during Netherlands’ rare attacks in the first half, referee Pedro Proenca elected to award a stoppage-time penalty to the Dutch as the attacker theatrically collapsed to the deck under a challenge from Rafael Marquez.

Watching the incident on the big screen after the match, the remaining Mexico fans booed the act, and while it is likely some contact was made by the former Barcelona centre-back to the Dutchman’s boot, there can be little doubt that it did not merit the swan dive that it was subsequently met with.

It was an incident that soured an otherwise fine Dutch comeback.