Argentina's national soccer team player Lionel Messi (R) heads the ball next to teammate Fernando Gago during a training session ahead of their 2014 World Cup final match against Germany in Vespasiano, July 11, 2014. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci Jul 12 2014
Brazil's national soccer team head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari attends a news conference at Mane Garrincha National stadium in Brasilia, July 11, 2014. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino Jul 12 2014
A Brazil fan waves a sign targeted at Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari before the 2014 World Cup third-place playoff between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia July 12, 2014. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino Jul 12 2014
Argentina's coach Alejandro Sabella gestures during a news conference at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro July 12, 2014, ahead of their 2014 World Cup Final soccer match against Germany on Sunday. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh Jul 12 2014
Argentina's Angel di Maria runs during a team soccer training session at the arena di Corinthians stadium in Sao Paulo, July 8, 2014, a day before their 2014 World Cup semi-final soccer match against the Netherlands. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Jul 12 2014
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a goal against Bosnia during their 2014 World Cup Group F soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 15, 2014. REUTERS/Michael Dalder Jul 12 2014
Argentina's national soccer team players listen to coach Alejandro Sabella (in white cap) during their training session in Rio de Janeiro July 12, 2014, ahead of their 2014 World Cup Final soccer match against Germany on July 13. REUTERS/Darren Staples Jul 12 2014
Brazil's Neymar (R) and teammates react after the 2014 World Cup third-place playoff between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia July 12, 2014. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino Jul 12 2014
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal reacts on the sidelines. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich Jul 12 2014 (Reuters) - The Netherlands far exceeded expectation in finishing third at the World Cup in Brazil, tearing up not only up the formbook but their own rules on how best to play the game as their coach provided a talismanic touch.
Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari reacts during their 2014 World Cup third-place playoff against the Netherlands at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia July 12, 2014. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler Jul 12 2014
Brazil's Hulk prepares to kick off after the third goal during the 2014 World Cup third-place playoff between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia July 12, 2014. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Jul 12 2014
A Brazil fan reacts after the 2014 World Cup third-place playoff between Brazil and the Netherlands at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia July 12, 2014. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino Jul 12 2014
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal (R) consoles goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen after their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Argentina at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 9, 2014. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes Jul 12 2014
Germany's coach Joachim Loew (L) conducts a training session with players Miroslav Klose (R) and Toni Kroos (2nd R) in Rio de Janeiro July 12, 2014, ahead of their 2014 World Cup Final soccer match against the Argentina on Sunday. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Jul 12 2014
Brazil's players watch from the bench. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler Jul 12 2014 (Reuters) - Dreadful defending cost Brazil dear yet again on Saturday as the World Cup hosts slumped to a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in a playoff for third place, underlining just how far the 'Selecao' have fallen down world soccer's pecking order.
Germany's national soccer team player Philipp Lahm (L) and his teammates run during a training session in the village of Santo Andre north of Porto Seguro July 10, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Jul 12 2014
Germany's national soccer team coach Joachim Loew (2ndL) gives a thumbs-up before boading a bus in the town of Santa Cruz Cabralia, north of Porto Seguro, July 11, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann Jul 12 2014
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his team's win over the Netherlands after their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 9, 2014. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Jul 12 2014
Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates his team's win over Brazil after their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 8, 2014. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach Jul 12 2014
USA fans watch the 2014 World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the U.S., at a viewing party in Redondo Beach, California July 1, 2014. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson Jul 11 2014
Uruguay's national soccer team player Luis Suarez attends a news conference prior a training session at the Dunas Arena soccer stadium in Natal, June 23, 2014. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Jul 11 2014
Henrik Larsson applauds during the first game of the season for his team Landskrona Bois, against Degerfors, in the Swedish second football league, Superettan, in Landskrona April 10 2010. REUTERS/Scanpix Sweden Jul 11 2014
