Dutch newspapers remained divided Monday on whether Arjen Robben’s match-winning penalty against Mexico was “deserved” or “exaggerated” but all praised the Oranje’s “miracle” victory.
Seconds before a dramatic end to the game, Bayern Munich star Robben tumbled to the turf after making contact with Mexico defender Rafael Marquez.
Robben has admitted he dived when trying to win a penalty in the first half but insists the late spot kick converted by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar fopr the 2-1 win was justified.
“Robben already deserved a penalty kick earlier in the match, when he was first touched by Marquez and then brought down by Hector Moreno,” populist broadsheet De Telegraaf stated.
“Finally in injury time Robben got his well deserved penalty from (referee Pedro) Proenca and Huntelaar sent the Netherlands to the quarter finals,” it said.
