Brazil, Netherlands qualify for WCup quarterfinals

JOHANNESBURG (AP): Brazil and the Netherlands advanced comfortably into the World Cup quarterfinals Monday, while anger simmered over refereeing blunders and FIFA's refusal to adopt video technology to eliminate them.

Brazil comfortably brushed aside Chile 3-0 at Ellis Park as the team pushes for a sixth title, while the Netherlands eased into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Slovakia. For Brazil, Juan and Luis Fabiano scored in the first half and Robinho finished off the scoring in the 59th minute.

"Chile played exceptionally well, they had a lot of possession of the ball," Brazil coach Dunga said. "But Brazil was able to have balance and control."

For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half.

Slovakia's Robert Vittek scored with a penalty with the last kick of the match.

Brazil and The Netherlands will meet in the last eight in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The other remaining round of 16 matches - Paraguay-Japan and Spain-Portugal - take place Tuesday.

Uruguay and Ghana were the first teams to qualify for the quarterfinals and they also meet on Friday.

Argentina and Germany qualified Sunday, but only after refereeing mistakes that FIFA is refusing to comment on.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot faced hostile questioning from reporters, but said it was "obviously not the place" to debate refereeing errors or the merits of video technology.

TV replays showed that England was denied a goal against Germany on Sunday when Frank Lampard's shot bounced down from the crossbar and over the goal line. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda waved away the 38th-minute non-goal, which would have leveled the game at 2-2. Germany went on to win 4-1.

Later Sunday, Argentina's first goal in a 3-1 win against Mexico was scored by Carlos Tevez from an offside position, but was allowed by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after he consulted his assistant. Mexico players protested to the match officials after seeing replays on a stadium giant screen, which showed the infringement.

Guus Hiddink called on FIFA president Sepp Blatter to step down if he doesn't introduce video technology.

"Sepp Blatter should announce tomorrow that video replay will be implemented or he needs to resign," said Hiddink, one of the world's most respected coaches.