Netherlands' players pose with bronze medals after the third place play-off match between Brazil and Netherlands of 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Nacional Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, on July 12, 2014. Netherlands won 3-0 over Brazil and took the third place of the tournament on Saturday.Photo: Xinhua

The Netherlands won the third place at the World Cup with a 3-0 vicotry over hosts Brazil at the Estadio Nacional on Saturday.

Louis van Gaal's side also kept a clean sheet for the third match in a row and he is to leave Brazil with his head held high for his new job as the manager of the Manchester United.

Captain Robin van Persie put the Dutchmen ahead only three minutes into the game. Arjen Robben dashed into the box from his right and the winger was pulled down by Brazil skipper Thiago Silva.

The referee ruthlessly pointed at the spot and Van Persie stepped in to find the top corner.

In the 17th minute, David Luiz, who replaced banned Silva to captain Brazil in their disastrous 7-1 defeat to Germany, nodded a header straight to Daley Blind to strike it calmly into the roof of the net.

Georginio Wijnaldum made it 3-0 in the stoppage time of the second half.