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Final Eight For Krul And Co
Written by Newcastle Utd
Tim Krul's Holland secured a dramatic last-gasp victory over Mexico to reach the World Cup quarter-finals
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Newcastle United will have representation in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, after Tim Krul's Holland secured a dramatic last-gasp victory over Mexico on Sunday.
The Dutch were nowhere near their best in scorching heat at the Estadio Castelao, in Fortaleza, and deservedly fell behind early in the second half to a long range effort from former Tottenham man Giovani Dos Santos.
It looked as though the playmaker's strike would be enough to send Mexico into the last eight of the tournament but an 88th-minute half-volley from Wesley Sneijder levelled things up.
And Netherlands avoided extra-time with a penalty deep into stoppage time. Arjen Robben went down under the challenge of veteran Mexico defender Rafael Marquez, and substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar kept his composure to slot home from the spot.
Krul was an unused substitute for Holland, who will face Costa Rica in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Salvador (9pm kick-off).