Netherlands set up Brazil showdown

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half yesterday to give the Netherlands a 2-1 win over Slovakia and a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Dutch went ahead in the 18th minute when Robben cut inside from the right flank and found the target with a low, precise shot from 20 yards. Sneijder doubled the lead into an empty net in the 84th.

It was only a month ago when Robben and Sneijder were on opposite sides in the Champions League final, Robben with Bayern Munich and Sneijder with winner Inter Milan.

"We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through," Robben said. "Probably the perfect game has still to come."

Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg preserved the win with two key saves in the 67th and the Dutch extended their team-record unbeaten streak to 23 games.

"At a crucial stage Maarten Stekelenburg saved us," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said.

Wasted chances

In between the goals from Robben and Sneijder, the Dutch wasted numerous chances.

"We had a good first half hour. And we started well in the second half," Van Marwijk said. "We should have scored 2-0, 3-0, maybe 4-0 there."

In the quarter-finals, the Netherlands will face five-time champions Brazil.

"We must play better against Brazil ..., that's for sure," Robben said.

Robert Vittek pulled one back for Slovakia from the penalty spot in injury time, tying him with Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain for the tournament scoring lead with four goals.

Slovakia upset Italy 3-2 in their previous match, a result that eliminated the defending champions and had to be satisfied with their tournament debut as an independent nation.

"We played with heart and courage and we are proud that we made it to the second round, but the better team advanced," Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said. "The penalty made us feel a little better on the flight home."

Weiss said he has been preparing his team specifically for Robben for three days.

"But he's a total genius and when I saw him in the starting line-up I thought he makes the Dutch team 50 percent stronger - and I was right," the Slovakia coach said.

The Netherlands also won all three of their group games, with their last loss coming to Australia in September 2008, a run of 18 wins and five draws.

The Netherlands reached consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978 but lost both - to Germany and Argentina, respectively. THeir only major tournament victory was the 1988 European Championship.

Loss means W Cup adiós for Mexicans

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

For many in the Mexico team, the loss to Argentina was probably a World Cup adiós.

Veterans Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado, Carlos Salcido, Adolfo Bautista, Oscar Perez, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco are unlikely to be included if Mexico qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Argentina beat Mexico 3-1 at Soccer City in the round of 16 on Sunday, ending Mexico's hopes of getting past the quarter-finals for the first time.

Marquez will be 35 in 2014 and he does not have high hopes of being there.

"I think this could be my last World Cup," he said. "I don't know if there can be another one."

This tournament was the sweeper/midfielder's third and he holds the Mexico record for most World Cup appearances with 12. For Blanco, Perez and Torrado, it was also their third World Cup.

"I don't feel bad physically," Torrado said. "But I think it's time for me to step aside to give an opportunity to players behind me. Yes, I think this was my last World Cup and it's a shame that we didn't make it to the fifth match."

Blanco didn't want to comment, but at age 37, the forward seems likely to retire before 2014. Perez, a goalkeeper the same age, was called up to the squad at the last minute and at first it seemed he would only be a spectator before being given the No. 1 jersey.

This World Cup "was farewell for me", Perez said. "We're not leaving as we wanted to because there remains this little step that we couldn't get past, but I'm confident that the boys can do it in the future."

Franco, who was born in Argentina but has Mexican citizenship, cried as he talked about his retirement from international football.

"This has all been a beautiful experience but also difficult too," the 33-year-old forward said. "Since making the decision to become Mexican a lot of criticism has been hanging over me and it's been hard because I'm proud to be Mexican."

Bautista, who was a surprise selection for the Argentina match, played in his one and only World Cup. The 31-year-old forward said it was his debut and farewell.

"I'm sad, because personally I didn't want to retire this way," he said.