LIVE: Follow the latest news from Netherlands vs Mexico and Costa Rica vs Greece
However as if that wasn't enough, this year's squad have been given an even bigger incentive to bring the trophy home, after a Dutch aerospace company have offered them all a trip into space if they managed to boldly go where no Dutch team has gone before and win the competition.
Practically unspellable Dutch aerospace engineering company Ruimtevaartbedrijf SXC, or SXC for short, have promised the 23-man squad all a flight into space if they win their next four games and therefore the World Cup trophy.
The offer is apparently inspired by Robin van Persie 'taking flight' to score his spectacular headed goal in the 5-1 thrashing of Spain.
Arjen Robben - astronaut?
Co-founder of SXC, Michiel Mol, told Dutch media:
“As a company of Dutch origin, we are mega proud of the achievements of Oranje in Brazil. An unearthly performance deserves an unearthly reward!
“We are going to try to take the players literally to a higher level – 103 km!
“[We'll take] the whole selection of 23 players and of course, Louis van Gaal.”
SXC are reportedly hoping to be able to offer commercial flights into space from next year, meaning that Arjen Robben and co. could be the first footballer astronauts as early as 2016.
Caption competition
Sport blogs
-
Manchester United transfer news: Javier Hernandez close to exit as Atletico Madrid admit interested
-
Manchester United transfer news: Mats Hummels, Thomas Vermaelen and Daley Blind on radar as Louis van Gaal reveals he still wants to sign defender
-
Scottie dogs in Commonwealth Games opening ceremony 'disrespectful to Muslims', say Malaysian politicians
-
Divock Origi joins Liverpool before immediately being loaned back to Lille
-
Seydou Keita refuses Pepe handshake before throwing water bottle prior to Roma vs Real Madrid match
-
1
Disney heiress Abigail disowns her share of family profits in West Bank company
-
2
The secret report that helps Israel hide facts
-
3
'Women should not laugh in public,' says Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister in morality speech
-
4
Israel's propaganda machine is finally starting to misfire
-
5
HSBC closes bank accounts belonging to Muslim clients in the UK
Win a tailor-made trip to Graubünden, Switzerland’s No. 1 holiday destination
Discover Swiss alpine holidays – your way
The Gambia in the Summer
The Gambia may be the smallest country in mainland Africa but this is no reflection of it rich versatile offering.
#fashionhappy film competition
Calling all fashionistas! Enter our film competition to win a £2,000 Westfield Gift Card plus an internship at London Live.
Join the party
With Prudential RideLondon taking place on 9 and 10 August, it is worth finding out where the best places to spectate are during the weekend
Update your holiday wardrobe
Update your holiday wardrobe with tropical prints, the perfect pair of sandals and some seriously stylish swimwear to make a splash in. Bon voyage.
i100: Summer Lifehacks
This is the only wallet you need at the beach this year (and 15 other lifehacks to get you through summer)
Sun Set Style
After a hard day spent sunbathing, breeze into dusk with relaxed separates and sunset hues. Polish it off with shimmering details and an Aperol spritz
Get the look. See the trends.
Westfield and Snapfashion team up to create a new digital styling tool. Create a style board or browse this season's trends. #editme.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
The day America’s love of backyard tigers led to a horrific bloodbath
How Samuel Beckett became a French Resistance spy
We will remember them
Kodak's last-ditch bid to keep celluloid alive
Acting in video games gets a makeover
Could smartphones soon be diagnosing diseases?
Can we learn to love Ryanair again?
Spanx launches range of jeans
Aural pleasure: 10 best over-ear headphones
Commonwealth Games
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
The animals bred for bones on China’s tiger farms
A former custard factory, a Midlands bog and a Leeds cemetery
Ebola epidemic: Plagued by fear
From 'Parks and Recreation' to 'Guardians of the Galaxy'
