Fifa World Cup 2014 Third Place Play-Off Highlights: Netherlands Claim Bronze after Comfortable Win over Brazil [Photos and Video]

The Netherlands claimed bronze medal in the 2014 World Cup, after registering a comfortable 3-0 victory over hosts Brazil in the third place play-off in Brasilia.

Robin van Persie and Daley Blind put the Dutch 2-0 ahead inside the opening 20 minutes, before Georginio Wijnaldum added a third in the dying moments of the match.

The match started with the Dutch side being awarded a very controversial penalty in the 3^rd minute, after Arjen Robben, who was through on goal, was brought down by Thiago Silva.

Although it was a clear foul, replays showed the incident took place just outside the box. However, Silva was lucky to be shown only a yellow card as he was the last man making the challenge. Van Persie stepped up and eased the ball into the top corner, putting his side into the lead.

Things did not improve for Brazil as the Netherlands doubled their lead through Daley Blind after 17 minutes. Jonathan de Guzman, after receiving a pass from Robben, whipped the ball into the box, and David Luiz - in an attempt to clear - headed the ball straight into the path of Blind, who smashed it onto the roof of the net.

Shortly before the half hour mark, the hosts created their first real chance when Oscar whipped a cross into the box. Luiz connected with a header, but his effort was wide of target.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, van Persie got a chance to triple Holland's lead but his effort, from outside the box, was easily saved by Julio Cesar.

Brazil got their best chance of the game at the hour mark as Oscar found Ramires and the midfielder managed to get past Ron Vlaar. However, in the end, the Chelsea man wasted the chance as he dragged his effort wide of the target.

The referee again gave a very controversial decision in the 67^th minute when he showed a yellow card to Oscar for diving, instead of awarded a penalty to Brazil. Replays showed that the hosts deserved a penalty as Oscar was fouled by Blind in the box.

Things went from bad to worse for Brazil when Wijnaldum tripled Netherlands lead in the first minute of injury time. Daryl Janmaat, after receiving a good through ball from Robben, squared the ball to Wijnaldum, who found the net with the easiest of tap-ins.

Check out the full highlights of the match here, and also check out these photos capturing the best moments of the game: