Dutch beat tough Australia to take Group B lead

Netherlands’ Memphis Depay scores his side’s third goal during the group B World Cup soccer match between Australia and the Netherlands at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, June 18, 2014. AP

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — The Netherlands had to work much harder for victory over the World Cup’s lowest-ranked team than it did against the defending world and European champion.

A goalkeeping blunder by Maty Ryan handed substitute Memphis Depay his first international goal and the Netherlands the winner Wednesday after a spirited Australia had brought the Dutch back down to earth with a bump following their 5-1 thrashing of Spain in their Group B opener.

Arjen Robben opened the scoring before Tim Cahill’s stunning volley brought the sides level a minute later. Mile Jedinak then converted a 54th minute penalty and Robin van Persie equalized with his third goal of the tournament.

Depay’s speculative long-range shot beat Ryan in the 68th to give the Dutch a 3-2 victory.

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