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Fifa are unlikely to take action to stop managers using cooling breaks to change tactics and issue orders, as Louis van Gaal did so successfully against Mexico.
The Netherlands manager said he used the second and final cooling break to order Dirk Kuyt to push up from wing-back to the striker’s role in which he has shone for both Liverpool and Fenerbahce. He also told the Dutch team to “give the ball to Arjen Robben whenever you can”. Van Gaal altered his formation from a 3-5-2, which has been heavily criticised by the Dutch media, to a more aggressive 4-3-3.
His Mexican counterpart, Miguel Herrera, did not make an issue of Van Gaal’s exploitation of the rules, mainly because he had done much the same himself.
Fifa’s regulations state water breaks can be called from the 30th minute of the first half and a quarter of an hour from the end, if pitch side temperatures in the stadium go above 32 degrees. Some estimates before kick-off in Fortaleza had the heat at an uncomfortable 38 degrees.
Show all 23 1 /23Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Jasper Cillessen Looked nervous in the early stages but stood up firm when called upon. Very little he could have done about Giovani dos Santos’ wonder strike. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Paul Verhaegh Did the unglamorous, but essential, job of mopping up after any Dutch mistakes in front of the backline. A composed and measured performance from right-back. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Daley Blind Raced forward wherever possible but lacked the desire to get back when needed. Appeared complacent with Dirk Kuyt as cover. 6
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Ron Vlaar The Aston Villa man delivered a typically stern and imposing performance. Did very little wrong and posed a threat from set-plays. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Bruno Martins Indi Replaced Nigel de Jong after just nine minutes and delivered a combative and committed display. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Stefan de Vrij Desperately unlucky not to have scored, forcing Guillermo Ochoa into a stunning second-half save, but kept his head up and delivered a good shift. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Georginio Wijnaldum The PSV starlet was muzzled for much of the first half but found more joy in the second. Ran at the Mexico defence to some success. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Dirk Kuyt Playing more defensively than British audiences will have been expecting, after featuring in attack for Liverpool, Dirk Kuyt delivered an impressive shift. Never stopped running on his 100th cap. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Wesley Sneijder Will be remembered for the bullet finish which got the Netherlands back into the game. Had a quiet game though which, like his tournament as a whole, lacked penetration. 6
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Arjen Robben Eventually won his side a penalty after many failed attempts at allegedly deceiving the referee. Had one decent shout in the first half. The Bayern Munich man was tireless, however, and never gave up in his pursuit of a goal. 7
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Robin van Persie Despite the expectations on his shoulders, this was a decidedly quiet afternoon from the Manchester United striker. Was substituted for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who ultimately won the game. 6
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Klaas Jan Huntelaar Despite only being on the pitch for little over fifteen minutes, the Schalke striker made his mark. Scoring the penalty which won Netherlands the game, Huntelaar was confident enough in his own abilities to take the spot-kick. 8
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Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Ochoa.jpg A stunning display defaced by two late, unstoppable, goals. After brilliantly saving Stefan de Vrij’s point blank effort, it was clear that it would take quite a strike to get past Ochoa tonight. Lightning struck twice. 8
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Paul Aguilar Striving to get forward, while remaining wary of the Dutch counter attack, this was a decent if unremarkable outing for Paul Aguilar. 6.5
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Rafael Marquez After earning many plaudits over an illustrious career, the former Barcelona centre-back had an afternoon to forget. Clumsily bundling into every Dutch attacker in sight, it’s no great surprise that he gave away the late penalty. 5
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Francisco Rodriguez An excellent first half display wasn’t built upon and Francisco Rodriguez ultimately struggled to handle the Netherlands’ attacking prowess in the final stages. The heat will surely have been a factor. 7
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Miguel Layun Began the game by showcasing his abilities to shoot from distance but rightfully opted to shift his focus towards firing crosses into the Dutch area. Cutting inside dangerously, this was an impressive performance. 7
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Carlos Salcido With a frightening ability to shoot from distance, Carlos Salcido will perhaps wonder if he could have contributed more. 6
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Hector Moreno Standing up to the Netherlands attack for much of tonight’s game, Hector Moreno will be bitterly disappointed to have been part of a defence which conceded two late goals. 6.5
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Hector Herrera Tried to join the Mexican strikeforce whenever possible but was understandably nervous about leaving the door open behind him. A mature, if unadventurous, display. 7
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Andres Guardado Was occasionally isolated on the left flank and struggled to create chances with such little cover. Unlucky not to have scored with a long-range effort in the second half. 6.5
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Giovani Dos Santos Scoring a stunning goal to set Mexico up for an unlikely victory, the former Tottenham Hotspur man was a delight to watch. A regular thorn in the Netherlands’ side, this was an exciting performance. 7
Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 player ratings Oribe Peralta With the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders, Mexico’s Mr. Reliable failed to live up to his billing. 6
There are only three matches left in the north of Brazil, where temperatures are significantly higher than in the south.
All will kick off at 5pm local time when temperatures are unlikely to cross the 32-degree mark. The directive also takes no account of the high humidity, which has been a critical factor in the tropical climes of Manaus.
Fifa appeared reluctant to accept cooling breaks at all and was prosecuted by a Brazilian labour court in a successful attempt to make the regulations mandatory.
The court wanted a 30-degree cut-off point but accepted Fifa’s argument for a higher, 32-degree limit. Fifa also rejected an argument from the Brazilian players’ union that all 1pm games be moved back to 4pm to protect the footballers.
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