This was a remarkable match, because the Dutch were simply ineffective till going a goal behind.
Memphis Depay came on in the 56th minute and Holland — hitherto a 5-3-2 — switched to a 4-3-3.
Arjen Robben on one flank and Depay on the other drove at Mexico’s wingbacks who had roamed free all along.
These runs yielded a series of corners, one of which produced the first goal; and later it was Robben who won the penalty.
Till that point, however, Holland had looked flat while Mexico (5-3-2) controlled the game.
The centre-backs Rafael Marquez and Hector Moreno strolled forward; the latter in particular delivered several good diagonals.
The left wing-back Miguel Layun repeatedly got the better of Paul Verhaegh while Hector Herrera made strong runs down the inside-right channel.
Mexico’s goal was no surprise, Daley Blind — moved to the middle of midfield after Nigel de Jong’s withdrawal — failing to close Giovanni dos Santos down.
The equaliser came, ironically, from Wesley Sneijder, who had had a difficult game.
