Former Premier League footballer Danny Murphy has called on Netherlands star Arjen Robben to cut play-acting out of his game.

The Bayern Munich player has apologised for dramatically falling to the ground after Mexico's Rafael Marquez stepped on his foot in the box during yesterday's last-16 clash at the World Cup in Brazil.

The injury-time penalty helped the Dutch secure a 2-1 victory and a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of Mexico, who were five minutes away from reaching the last eight.

Robben, who had numerous penalty appeals turned down by the referee throughout the match in Fortaleza, has been criticised for his diving following the game.

"Robben does it so often that he puts the referees in a horrible position," BBC Sport quotes Murphy as saying. "We all admire Robben he's a wonderful player but I wish he would cut that out of his game.

"He got his rewards in the end. In the first half he was taken down but his reaction meant that the referee didn't give it. He is the boy who cried wolf. The way the won it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth."

Louis van Gaal's side will face Costa Rica in a quarter-final clash on Saturday.