Gallery: World Cup - Day 12

Updated / Monday, 23 Jun 2014 23:11
Day 12 of the World Cup saw the final matches of Groups A and B
Day 12 of the World Cup saw the final matches of Groups A and B

Take a look at some of the best photos from the twelfth of the World Cup, featuring the final matches in Groups A and B: Cameroon v Brazil, Croatia v Mexico, Australia v Spain and Netherlands v Chile. 

The first match of Day 12 saw Group B leaders Netherlands and Chile face off at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo
The first match of Day 12 saw Group B leaders Netherlands and Chile face off at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo
The spirited supporters of Chile came out to play once again...
The spirited supporters of Chile came out to play once again...
While fans of The Netherlands celebrated the first match at this World Cup when their side would wear their signature orange shirts
While fans of The Netherlands celebrated the first match at this World Cup when their side would wear their signature orange shirts
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli looked onto the pitch
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli looked onto the pitch
While his side and their Dutch foes played out the first half, which turned into something of a tussle and a chess match. Netherlands forward Jeremain Lens had a rough run-in with Chile midfielder Francisco Silva early on
While his side and their Dutch foes played out the first half, which turned into something of a tussle and a chess match. Netherlands forward Jeremain Lens had a rough run-in with Chile midfielder Francisco Silva early on
Chile star striker Alexis Sanchez worked to create chances throughout, but Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and the like kept Chile from making any shots on target in the first half
Chile star striker Alexis Sanchez worked to create chances throughout, but Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and the like kept Chile from making any shots on target in the first half
Netherlands forward and recent goal machine Arjen Robben captained his side for the match, yet the Chile defence frustrated his attempts at finding the back of the net
Netherlands forward and recent goal machine Arjen Robben captained his side for the match, yet the Chile defence frustrated his attempts at finding the back of the net
Tensions rose by the break, as Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar and others began to spar with their opponents. The two sides remained drawn scoreless after 45'
Tensions rose by the break, as Netherlands defender Ron Vlaar and others began to spar with their opponents. The two sides remained drawn scoreless after 45'
All the while, the Chile fans were still quite happy in the afternoon sun...
All the while, the Chile fans were still quite happy in the afternoon sun...
... and the Dutch? Same goes
... and the Dutch? Same goes
At the same time, the bottom-feeders of Group B - Australia and Spain - kicked off their last match of the 2014 World Cup. Spain coach Vincente del Bosque looked onto the pitch, no doubt ruminating upon his side's sudden descent into irrelevance
At the same time, the bottom-feeders of Group B - Australia and Spain - kicked off their last match of the 2014 World Cup. Spain coach Vincente del Bosque looked onto the pitch, no doubt ruminating upon his side's sudden descent into irrelevance
Famed Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas warmed up before the match, although the veteran - who has earned 157 caps for his country - would not start for La Roja
Famed Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas warmed up before the match, although the veteran - who has earned 157 caps for his country - would not start for La Roja
Play started out evenly, with both sides working to settle into the game from the start. Here, Spain defender Juanfran vied for the ball with Australia defender Jason Davidson
Play started out evenly, with both sides working to settle into the game from the start. Here, Spain defender Juanfran vied for the ball with Australia defender Jason Davidson
Striker Fernando Torres started the match for Spain, providing him with (what will probably be) one last chance to make his mark
Striker Fernando Torres started the match for Spain, providing him with (what will probably be) one last chance to make his mark
Australia midfielder and captain Mile Jedinak received a few words of wisdom from referee Nawaf Shukralla
Australia midfielder and captain Mile Jedinak received a few words of wisdom from referee Nawaf Shukralla
And at 36' veteran Spain forward David Villa scored the first goal of Day 12, on a clever no-look flick that snuck past Australia keeper Maty Ryan
And at 36' veteran Spain forward David Villa scored the first goal of Day 12, on a clever no-look flick that snuck past Australia keeper Maty Ryan
The score was Spain's second of the tournament and put the former World Champions up 1-0 going into half-time
The score was Spain's second of the tournament and put the former World Champions up 1-0 going into half-time
And although the Australia side looked tired and heavy on their feet throughout, the Aussies refused to stop cheering for their beloved Socceroos
And although the Australia side looked tired and heavy on their feet throughout, the Aussies refused to stop cheering for their beloved Socceroos
Back in São Paulo, The Netherlands and Chile picked up right where they left off. Lens continued to attack against Gary Medel and the rest of the Chile defence
Back in São Paulo, The Netherlands and Chile picked up right where they left off. Lens continued to attack against Gary Medel and the rest of the Chile defence
Robben played on strongly, asserting his presence once again and making a real case for some preliminary 'Player of the Tournament' honours
Robben played on strongly, asserting his presence once again and making a real case for some preliminary 'Player of the Tournament' honours
Both teams refused to back down physically, while Vlaar and Sanchez kept things civil
Both teams refused to back down physically, while Vlaar and Sanchez kept things civil
Netherlands broke through for real at 77' when midfielder Leroy Fer scored past Chile keeper Claudio Bravo on an athletic header
Netherlands broke through for real at 77' when midfielder Leroy Fer scored past Chile keeper Claudio Bravo on an athletic header
Fer celebrated putting his side up 1-0 with just under 15 minutes to play
Fer celebrated putting his side up 1-0 with just under 15 minutes to play
And to cement the victory, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay scored his second goal of the tournament from off the bench
And to cement the victory, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay scored his second goal of the tournament from off the bench
Depay's final goal at 90+1' brought the final score to 2-0 and helped The Netherlands come out on top of Group B with a full nine points
Depay's final goal at 90+1' brought the final score to 2-0 and helped The Netherlands come out on top of Group B with a full nine points
Second half action kicked off back at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba as well
Second half action kicked off back at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba as well
Familiar Spanish faces played out their final match at the 2014 World Cup, as midfielder Xabi Alonso controlled the ball
Familiar Spanish faces played out their final match at the 2014 World Cup, as midfielder Xabi Alonso controlled the ball
Midfielder Andres Iniesta ran through a challenge
Midfielder Andres Iniesta ran through a challenge
And defender Sergio Ramos recovered from a run-in with Australia midfielder Tommy Oar
And defender Sergio Ramos recovered from a run-in with Australia midfielder Tommy Oar
The match - and the 2014 World Cup - ended for Spain on a bright note, as Torres (R) and substitute forward Juan Mata (L) each scored goals to bring the final score to 3-0. Spain will go home knowing that at least they finished ahead of the Aussies
The match - and the 2014 World Cup - ended for Spain on a bright note, as Torres (R) and substitute forward Juan Mata (L) each scored goals to bring the final score to 3-0. Spain will go home knowing that at least they finished ahead of the Aussies
And for the final two matches of Day 12, the sides from Group A faced off to decide whose World Cup dreams would live or die. Although not billed as the main match of the day, Cameroon v Brazil proved exciting from the start
And for the final two matches of Day 12, the sides from Group A faced off to decide whose World Cup dreams would live or die. Although not billed as the main match of the day, Cameroon v Brazil proved exciting from the start
Even though this fan was holding it all in...
Even though this fan was holding it all in...
The stage for the match was the Estadio Nacional in Brasília, which was dominated by the home crowd wearing yellow
The stage for the match was the Estadio Nacional in Brasília, which was dominated by the home crowd wearing yellow
The Brazilian players once again sang their country's anthem with gusto
The Brazilian players once again sang their country's anthem with gusto
And Prince Harry approved
And Prince Harry approved
Early on, Brazil were able to penetrate. Cameroon defender Nicolas N'Koulou made a challenge on Brazil forward Fred that set up a dangerous free kick...
Early on, Brazil were able to penetrate. Cameroon defender Nicolas N'Koulou made a challenge on Brazil forward Fred that set up a dangerous free kick...
... and although he didn't convert on that opportunity, Brazil's star striker Neymar put his side ahead early, scoring at 17' in
... and although he didn't convert on that opportunity, Brazil's star striker Neymar put his side ahead early, scoring at 17' in
The match seemed sure to be a rout, and Neymar and company were quite satisfied with that idea
The match seemed sure to be a rout, and Neymar and company were quite satisfied with that idea
The Cameroonians had other plans, however, as midfielder Joel Matip tapped one in at 26'
The Cameroonians had other plans, however, as midfielder Joel Matip tapped one in at 26'
The score drew things level at 1-1 and completely breathed new life into Cameroon's hopes to upset the home kings
The score drew things level at 1-1 and completely breathed new life into Cameroon's hopes to upset the home kings
Less than 10 minutes later, though, Neymar struck again. His goal at 35' marked the end of the first half scoring spree and re-secured the lead for Brazil leading into the break
Less than 10 minutes later, though, Neymar struck again. His goal at 35' marked the end of the first half scoring spree and re-secured the lead for Brazil leading into the break
Neymar celebrated Brazil's 2-1 advantage to close the first half
Neymar celebrated Brazil's 2-1 advantage to close the first half
Meanwhile, a statistically much more important match was taking place in Recife, where Croatia took on Mexico. The Mexican fans in wrestling masks were back out in force...
Meanwhile, a statistically much more important match was taking place in Recife, where Croatia took on Mexico. The Mexican fans in wrestling masks were back out in force...
... while the Croatians just took it all in
... while the Croatians just took it all in
The match staged at Arena Pernambuco would decide which of the two teams would progress from the group. Mexico led Croatia by one point in the standings, leaving Mexico in need of a draw to advance and Croatia in need of a win
The match staged at Arena Pernambuco would decide which of the two teams would progress from the group. Mexico led Croatia by one point in the standings, leaving Mexico in need of a draw to advance and Croatia in need of a win
The first half of the match felt like a pressure cooker - both teams played with high intensity and battled it out while holding each other scoreless, but not by much
The first half of the match felt like a pressure cooker - both teams played with high intensity and battled it out while holding each other scoreless, but not by much
Croatia's star forward Ivica Olic came out firing against Francisco Rodriguez and the rest of the Mexico defence
Croatia's star forward Ivica Olic came out firing against Francisco Rodriguez and the rest of the Mexico defence
Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera worked against Croatia defender Danijel Pranjic
Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera worked against Croatia defender Danijel Pranjic
While both goalkeepers - Croatia's Stipe Pletikosa here - avoided some close calls
While both goalkeepers - Croatia's Stipe Pletikosa here - avoided some close calls
Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa's face says it all
Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa's face says it all
Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic tried to create some motion with a header against Mexico defender Hector Moreno
Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic tried to create some motion with a header against Mexico defender Hector Moreno
While Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos just missed on the closest chance of the half, during a play riddled with contact. On that note, both sides went into the break drawn scoreless, but on the brink of doing something special
While Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos just missed on the closest chance of the half, during a play riddled with contact. On that note, both sides went into the break drawn scoreless, but on the brink of doing something special
Back in Brasília, Cameroon fans were optimistic heading into the second half, down only one to favourites Brazil
Back in Brasília, Cameroon fans were optimistic heading into the second half, down only one to favourites Brazil
Fred quickly widened the lead, however, scoring his first goal of this World Cup quickly after the whistle
Fred quickly widened the lead, however, scoring his first goal of this World Cup quickly after the whistle
Fred celebrated his 49' strike which made the score 3-1 in Brazil's favour
Fred celebrated his 49' strike which made the score 3-1 in Brazil's favour
And fans watching in Natal shared in his joy
And fans watching in Natal shared in his joy
Neymar went off at 71' after receiving some medical attention from a sturdy challenge
Neymar went off at 71' after receiving some medical attention from a sturdy challenge
Yet, Brazil trudged on without him, with Fernandinho adding another late at 84'
Yet, Brazil trudged on without him, with Fernandinho adding another late at 84'
The final strike spelled defeat for Cameroon, as Brazil came away on top at 4-1. The side now advance to the knock-out stages, as almost everyone predicted they would
The final strike spelled defeat for Cameroon, as Brazil came away on top at 4-1. The side now advance to the knock-out stages, as almost everyone predicted they would
Croatia and Mexico meanwhile resumed a much closer contest. Fans in the Croatian capital of Zagreb watched on anxiously at the start of the second
Croatia and Mexico meanwhile resumed a much closer contest. Fans in the Croatian capital of Zagreb watched on anxiously at the start of the second
But, their greatest fear was realized, when Mexico unleashed a scoring spree midway through the last 45 minutes. Defender Rafael Marquez got things started at 71' with a gorgeous header
But, their greatest fear was realized, when Mexico unleashed a scoring spree midway through the last 45 minutes. Defender Rafael Marquez got things started at 71' with a gorgeous header
Marquez celebrated putting Mexico up 1-0 with his strike past Pletikosa
Marquez celebrated putting Mexico up 1-0 with his strike past Pletikosa
Just four minutes later, fellow Mexico defender Andres Guardado rocket one into the back of the net, to put Mexico up 2-0 all of a sudden
Just four minutes later, fellow Mexico defender Andres Guardado rocket one into the back of the net, to put Mexico up 2-0 all of a sudden
Guardado celebrated his obvious elation on the pitch
Guardado celebrated his obvious elation on the pitch
And to round off the quick trio, Mexico forward Javier Hernandez knocked one in at 82'
And to round off the quick trio, Mexico forward Javier Hernandez knocked one in at 82'
The kick put Mexico up 3-0 and almost certainly guaranteed the side a place in the next stage, along with Brazil
The kick put Mexico up 3-0 and almost certainly guaranteed the side a place in the next stage, along with Brazil
Croatia midfielder Iva Perisic scored past Ochoa at 87' to give his side one last glimmer of hope
Croatia midfielder Iva Perisic scored past Ochoa at 87' to give his side one last glimmer of hope
But, it was too little too late for a fighting Croatian side. After a 3-1 victory, Mexico will now advance out of Group A, finishing just in second place to Brazil
But, it was too little too late for a fighting Croatian side. After a 3-1 victory, Mexico will now advance out of Group A, finishing just in second place to Brazil

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