The Netherlands have beaten host nation Brazil to third place at this summer's World Cup courtesy of a 3-0 victory in Brasilia this evening.

The match got off to a controversial start as the Dutch were awarded a penalty after less than two minutes when Thiago Silva pulled Arjen Robben back with the winger through on goal.

The initial contact took place outside the box, however, while the referee also made the odd decision to only show the returning Brazilian skipper a yellow card despite him being the last man.

Following their nightmare 7-1 defeat in the semi-finals it was a dreadful start for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, and Robin van Persie ensured that it got even worse by firing the spot kick into the top corner.

There was more bad news for Brazil as they fell two behind after just 16 minutes, this time Daley Blind finding the top corner after a poor clearance from David Luiz.

Van Persie threatened a third goal shortly after the half-hour mark when he let fly from outside the area, but Julio Cesar got down to make a comfortable stop.

Brazil then came close themselves as Oscar's free kick was flicked on by Luiz Gustavo, but the ball flashed right across the face of goal.

Van Persie had another long-range strike comfortably saved before the referee's half-time whistle prompted boos and jeers to cascade down from the stands.

The hosts had their clearest opening of the match just after the hour mark as Ramires got away from Ron Vlaar before firing a shot narrowly wide of the post.

Chances were few and far between throughout the second half, and Hulk wasted a slight opening with a wild slice high and wide of the mark from a tight angle.

Oscar also had a half chance with 10 minutes remaining, but once again the end product was disappointing as he curled his effort a long way off target.

Brazil's increasingly miserable campaign was capped off in second-half stoppage time as Robben and Daryl Janmaat linked up to create a chance for Georginio Wijnaldum, who slid his effort into the bottom corner.