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.
After a quiet start, the game burst into life in the 20th minute when Arjen Robben picked up the ball near halfway and set off through a gaping midfield hole. He sped past defender Alex Wilkinson and shot powerfully past the outstretched Ryan.
But Australia hit back immediately, when Ryan McGowan sent a long looping pass from the midfield to Tim Cahill, who volleyed over Jasper Cillessen onto the underside of the bar in one of the best goals of the tournament so far.
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.