PHOTOS: Netherlands stroll past hapless Brazil to secure third spot

Boos and catcalls rained down on hosts Brazil as they ended their World Cup with a 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands in Saturday's World Cup third-place play-off in Brasilia.

First half goals from Robin van Persie and Daley Blind and a stoppage time third from Georginio Wijnaldum deepened Brazil's woes after Tuesday's 7-1 thrashing by Germany in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte.

This is the first time Luiz Felipe Scolari's beleaguered hosts have succumbed to consecutive losses on home soil since 1940.

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Van Persie converted a penalty kick three minutes into the match after Arjen Robben was brought down by Brazil captain Thiago Silva on the edge of the area.

Brazil looked lost from the start, making many of the same defensive mistakes that marked the historic defeat to the Germans four days ago. The Netherlands took advantage with quick passes and speed in the attack.

Silva had to foul Robben after being beaten on the run, leading to van Persie's firm left-foot shot into the right upper corner to put the Dutch ahead.

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Blind added to the lead after Luiz failed to clear a cross, heading the ball right back to the Dutch defender for an easy goal.

Wijnaldum closed the scoring in injury time with a goal from inside the area after a cross by Daryl Janmaat.

Brazil's best chance in the first half came on a free kick taken by Oscar in the 36th, but Silva and Luiz were not able to reach the low cross in front of goal. In the second, Ramires came close with a low right-foot shot from the top of the area in the 60th.

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Brazil wanted a penalty when Oscar went down in the area in the 68th, but the referee instead gave a yellow card to the Brazilian for diving.

It was the fourth time Brazil played in a third-place match. It beat Sweden in 1938 and Italy in 1978, and the only other loss had come against Poland in 1974.

The Netherlands had played in the third-place match one other time. It fell to Croatia 2-1 in 1998 after being beaten by Brazil in the semi-finals.