2014 World Cup: El Tri, Brazil Advance To Knockout Stage; Dutch Win Group B, Get Mexico Next

The final cycle of group-stage contests commenced with four games in the 2014 FIFA World Cup played on Monday in Brazil.

Group A:

At Brasilia:

Neymar scored twice in the first half (17', 36') as Brazil clinched top spot in Group A following their 4-1 domination of already-eliminated Cameroon.

At Recife:

Rafael Marquez (72'), Andres Guardado (75') and Javier Hernandez (82', that's him on the right,  celebrating) each scored a goal as Mexico broke open what had been a scoreless stalemate and eliminated Croatia 3-1.  El Tri advanced to the knockout stage for the sixth consecutive World Cup.

USATSI photo

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Brazil (GP: 3; GD: + 5; PTS: 7)
2. Mexico (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Croatia (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Croatia (GP: 3; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

Brazil and Mexico advanced to the knockout stage.



Group B:

At Curitiba:

David Villa (36', that's him scoring here), Fernando Torres (69'), and Juan Mata (82') each scored a goal as Spain dominated Australia 3-0 in the tournament finale for both teams.

Getty Images photo

At Sao Paulo:

Leroy Fer (77') and Memphis Depay (90'+2) each scored a goal in the final quarter hour as the Netherlands won Group B with their 2-0 blanking of fellow knockout-stage qualifiers Chile 2-0. Here's Arjen Robben in action for the Clockwork Orange.

Getty Images photo

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Netherlands (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Chile (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Spain (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4. Australia (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

Netherlands and Chile advanced to the knockout stage.

On Saturday, Brazil will take on Chile at Belo Horizonte while at Fortaleza on Sunday, the Netherlands will battle Mexico for the right to advance to the quarterfinal round.

That photo of Neymar on the top of the page is a Getty Images photo.