Balls Galore: Watch the Mexican wave goodbye, stay on for Costa Rican fairy tale

But with their interest in the 2014 World Cup coming to a halt at the Group of 16 stage, it was the huge and boisterous contingent from north of the border that had to wave a sportingly sad World Cup "Adios" if not "hasta la vista".

The orange gladiators prevailed on the pitch, the manner of their victory only to emphasize the sporting battle cry that it ain’t over till it is really, finally over. More pointedly; battle and don’t let your guard down until the Fat Lady sings!

That fat lady sang a sad dirge indeed for the Mexicans who, after scoring first; had only to hang on for two full minutes – a mere 120 seconds to make it to the next round. The cruel cut came courtesy of a tactical masterstroke from Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal.

He opted to pull out star marksman Robin Van Persie – a lesser manager would perhaps have baulked at having to substitute a star – and brought on replacement Klaas Jun Huntelaar. When such switches work, you are a hero, it doesn’t; you are zero!

A cross was delivered and Huntelaar was instrumental in helping it along. The ball pinged about for a bit before it fell for Wesley Sjneider whose thunderous volley is sure to be high on the list of Top Goals for this campaign. The score then stood at one-all and everyone was dreading the prospect of playing on the pitch for another 30 minutes of extra time.

The thermometer showed 39 degree celcius (I have been to Saudi where the temperature in summer mostly hovered around the 40s, so I know how energy-sapping extreme heat can be) and this could no doubt be a factor.

One would have thought that the additional time added on would have favoured the Mexicans who should be more used to the conditions. FIFA, in its wisdom, introduced the so-called cooling breaks, officially for the first time in this match. The game is halted, one in each half for a short breather for drinks to be dispensed and for the players, and officials; to take a breather.

Van Gaal took this opportunity to change tactics and make the substitution; he could be seen in animated conversation wielding a clipboard sketching out tactics as his players stood in rapt attention around him.

With Van Persie out, Dirk Kuyt who started the match as a wing back was told to play as a target hitman up front.

Showing keen tactical nous, Van Gaal opted to play the beefy `up-and-under’ style used to great effect by the likes of Wimbledon football club in its heyday which disrupted the Mexican pattern of play.

The Dutch were duly rewarded with the Sneijder goal.

Then came the penalty incident that the Mexicans will forever cry `foul’ and the Dutch call just desserts. Arjen Robben fell following a lunge by Mexican captain Rafael Marquez. The rights or wrongs of the foul notwithstanding, Huntelaar was called upon to step up for his country – and he did not fail!

If the Dutch go on to win this, then they can proudly put it down to being better than their Mexican opponents at not wilting in the Furnace of Fortaleza.

Following the Dutch into the next round is Costa Rica, at the expense of the European over-achievers Greece.

At the start of the tournament, the Costa Ricans were widely thought to be candidate for wooden spoonists in the so-called Group of Death which pitted them against Mighty Italy, Truly-mighty Uruguay and God-Almighty England!

They topped their group instead, with Uruguay second and Italy and England having to pack up and leave early.

Even Costa Ricans themselves never thought they’d get this far. One newspaper reporter had to extend his stay in Brazil three times – simply because his editors did not think he’d last this long.