Twitter Reacts to Klaas

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After leading nearly the entire second half, Mexico were stunned in the final moments of the round of 16 when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored following a Rafa Marquez penalty in stoppage time in the 94th minute to secure a 2-1 win for the Netherlands.

Mike Anstead of the Daily Mail provides a look at Huntelaar's celebration following the goal:

Amazing picture of Huntelaar kung-fu celebration by @GettyImages http://ift.tt/1nVAw0K

- Mike Anstead (@mike_anstead) June 29, 2014

It was a massive penalty kick for the Netherlands after struggling to secure goals throughout the match. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder struck just minutes before the end of regulation with a goal in the 88th minute to finally put the Oranje on the board and level the score 1-1.

The goal was nearly as clutch as they come in the World Cup knockout stage, as Paul Carr of ESPN notes:

Huntelaar's penalty (90'+4) is the 2nd-latest game-winning goal in regulation of a WC knockout game (Totti 90'+5 in 2006 vs AUS).

- Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 29, 2014

While the goal was clearly the most crucial moment of the match for Huntelaar, Bolarinwa also points out his late impact against Mexico:

Klaas Jan Huntelaar had just 8 touches of the ball against Mexico; one assist, one goal. Impact! Big impact he made. http://ift.tt/1nVAxlo

- Bolarinwa (@iambolar) June 29, 2014

Despite the fact that the Netherlands were left to celebrate, it was yet another brilliant match for Guillermo Ochoa. After his heroics against Brazil in the group stage, the Mexican keeper was left heartbroken after the loss, per Bleacher Report UK:

Heartbreaking picture of Guillermo Ochoa: What more could he have done? #mex http://ift.tt/1x1qfFI

- Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) June 29, 2014

Huntelaar's goal was huge, but it didn't come without controversy. Some questioned whether or not the penalty was legitimate, as Sporting News notes:

Foul or Flop? Controversial penalty bounces Mexico from the World Cup - http://t.co/zXXrAFkNOp http://ift.tt/1iKlX2J

- Sporting News (@sportingnews) June 29, 2014

ESPN FC also takes a look at the penalty for Marquez on Arjen Robben:

The step on Robben's foot from Marquez that gave #NED a penalty. http://ift.tt/1nVAxlu

- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 29, 2014

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera commented on the decision after the match (via Sam Borden of the New York Times):

Herrera: 'If the referee ... invents a penalty of that size, you leave the World Cup.'

- Sam Borden (@SamBorden) June 29, 2014

The penalty kick for Huntelaar sealed the fate for Mexico as they bow out of the World Cup and the Netherlands move forward to face the winner of Costa Rica vs. Greece. After struggling to simply make the field, Mexico advanced and had hopes of making their first quarterfinal since 1986.

As for Huntelaar and the Dutch, they have a shot at making a second consecutive semifinals appearance when they duel with either Costa Rica or Greece. Equipped with Huntelaar, Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, the Netherlands look like one of the top teams in the tournament after narrowly defeating Mexico.

Despite the wild finish against Mexico, the Netherlands still have a potent attack that will make them a strong country moving forward. Thanks to the foot of Huntelaar, they live to fight another day in the World Cup.

Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.