Talking of pace... Arjen Robben comes to the party. The Dutch flyer skips past one Mexican defender, then another, but can't get his cross past the bulky chest of skipper Rafael Marquez.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

"The Dutch defence is playing a really high line and that is playing into Mexico striker Oribe Peralta's hands. He loves playing in those areas. He has the pace to get in behind and that will worry the Netherlands because if someone can pick his run out, the defence won't catch him."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 live commentary by clicking Live Coverage at the top of this page.

Miguel Layun is rapid. He steams past Netherlands right-back Paul Verhaegh as if he is stuck in a pool of tar. The Mexican whips a delicious cross down the corridor of uncertainty between the Dutch keeper and his defence, but it is an inch away from the toe of Giovani Dos Santos. Best opening so far.

Image source, Epa

Ron Vlaar is a no-nonsense character. Which is unsurprising for a man nicknamed 'Roncrete'. And, as if to justify his reputation, the Aston Villa man thumps a ball clear into the stands to blunt a Mexico attack. Have it!

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

"It is a stick on for Daley Blind to go in centre of midfield. Blind asks if he can go in there and his coach looks at him to say 'obviously'."

Image source, Getty Images

Big blow for the Dutch. Combative midfielder Nigel de Jong is forced off with an injury. He is replaced by Bruno Martins Indi - a man who also isn't averse to a thumping challenge. Even on his own team-mate..., external

Heart in mouth moment for Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen. He races out of his goalmouth, unconvincingly slicing clear as Mexico's Oruibe Peralta charges towards him. Could have ended in tears.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live

"I once played against Mexico at the Aztec Stadium and the temperature was in the mid-20s and they just don't seem to feel the heat at all. We were feeling it after 20 minutes."

Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera is enjoying himself in Brazil and creates another half-chance for his side. The Porto man wriggles out of a tight spot with a neat turn and close control, setting up another attacking move which ends in Miguel Layun again failing to hit the target.

Ben Smith
BBC Sport in Fortaleza

Image source, Epa

"Noticeable that as soon as the anthems were over, all of the Dutch players were straight over to get to their drinks. Hard to describe the heat inside this stadium. It hits you like a wall as soon as you walk out into it and it will certainly be a major factor this afternoon."

Good cut and thrust to the early stages. The Dutch dominate possession before Mexico hit back. Miguel Layun is not lacking any confidence, letting fly from 25 yards as the ball whizzes over the Dutch crossbar.

Mexico striker Giovani Dos Santos has the honour of getting the first kick of the match ball. He nudges it forwards and that means we are off. Game on!

Respective skippers Robin van Persie and ex-Barcelona defensive kingpin Rafael Marquez shakes hands as they compete for the toss. Nearly show-time...

One last look at the teams? Go on then. Basically no-one has a clue where Dirk Kuyt is going to line up. Hope he does.

Netherlands: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Verhaegh, Kuyt, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Blind, Sneijder, Robben, van Persie. Subs: Vorm, Martins Indi, Janmaat, de Guzman, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Lens, Fer, Huntelaar, Depay, Krul.

Mexico: Ochoa, Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun, Salcido, Herrera, Guardado, Giovani, Peralta. Subs: Corona, Reyes, Fabian, Jimenez, Pulido, Hernandez, Ponce, Brizuela, Aquino, Pena, Talavera.

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

The Dutch anthem is the oldest anthem in the world, you know. Impressively, most of the orange-clad Dutchman on the pitch belt out a few notes - but they are blasted out of the decibel battle by the Mexicans. Stirring stuff from the North Americans.

The teams trot out of the Fortaleza tunnel - Dutch skipper Robin van Persie looks focused. Very focused.

Anthem time....

"This one is going to be quite a close call," says our resident fortune-teller Mark Lawrenson.

"Although the Netherlands have been great so far and won all three games, I am looking at them and thinking that this could be the match where they slip up or, at the very least, do not have things all their own way.

"The reason I would still tip the Dutch to win, however, is they have got more match-winners than the Mexicans."

Lawro's prediction: Netherlands 1-0 Mexico

If you are going to watch any game involving the Netherlands then you would be advised to take a pair of sunglasses - the orange-packed stands can be a retina burner.

Image source, Getty Images

So imagine the glare in St Etienne's Stade Geoffroy-Guichard when the Dutch and Mexico last met. At the 1998 World Cup, Mexico had legendary goalkeeper Jorge Campos - a man who makes the technicolour coat-wearing Joseph look like a conservative dresser - between the sticks.

Image source, Getty Images

The teams drew 2-2 on that night - hands up if you would settle for that tonight? Me too. Little over five minutes until kick-off.

After his stunning volley against Uruguay, the name of James Rodriguez is the one on everybody's lips at the moment. He's trending on Twitter, naturally.

But the Dutch have a pair of forwards desperate to grab back the limelight from Colombia's biggest sensation since, er, Shakira.

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben strike me as men who would love nothing more than to see their names trending across the world. And a couple of goals against the Mexicans would see to that.

Van Perise has scored three goals at this tournamant, while Robben has scored or assisted seven goals (five goals, two assists) in his last seven World Cup appearances.

James Mitchell:, external The teams into the last 16 today? I'll have to say Netherlands and Costa Rica. With Robin van Persie back Netherlands look too strong.

Mac Jerry:, external My eyes are on Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa today. Looked brilliant against the hosts. Let's see if it wasn't a one day wonder.