Netherlands stuns 5-time champion Brazil 2-1 to reach World Cup semifinals

Netherlands stuns Brazil 2-1 at World Cup

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa — Wesley Sneijder scored on a header as the Netherlands rallied to stun five-time champion Brazil 2-1 on Friday, becoming the first semifinalist of the World Cup.

Sneijder’s goal came on a header off a corner kick in the 68th minute.

Robinho had given Brazil the lead at the 10-minute mark, but the Netherlands tied the game in the 53rd with an own goal from Felipe Melo.

Felipe Melo had set up the opening goal with a brilliant through pass to Robinho, but after the own goal he was ejected in the 73rd for stepping on Dutch winger Arjen Robben, leaving Brazil with 10 men down the stretch.

This is the first time the Netherlands has reached the semifinals since the 1998 World Cup in France.