A powerful and pacey Netherlands side beat Chile 2-0 on Monday in a match that burst into life late securing them top spot in World Cup Group B and meaning they look set to avoid hosts Brazil in the last 16.

Substitute Leroy Fer scored with his first touch of the game, thumping home a close-range header from Daryl Janmaat's cross in the 77th minute.

Another replacement, Memphis Depay, made it two in stoppage- time after a marauding Arjen Robben broke down the left, turning what had been a scrappy match short of goal-mouth action into a comfortable win for the Dutch.

The Netherlands ended the group stage on a perfect nine points with Chile behind them on six. Reigning champions Spain finished third on three points after beating Australia 3-0 in the other Group B match.

"It was a very good game to watch, there was a lot of passion on the pitch, we defended really well, I am proud of the way the team defended," Robben said in a television interview.

"I think we did a great job and this is not where we want to stop. It is a fantastic result and a fantastic performance and we don't want it to end here, we need to change our mindset as we want to move forward." 

Brazil, Mexico book their places

Red-hot striker Neymar helped fire Brazil into a World Cup second-round meeting with Chile when he scored twice in the first half as the hosts survived an early scare against already-eliminated Cameroon to win 4-1 and top Group A on Monday.

Brazil's leading striker tucked in the first after 17 minutes from a Luiz Gustavo cross - the 100th goal of the tournament in Brazil's 100th World Cup match - but the delirious home crowd were silenced nine minutes later when Joel Matip equalised moments after he had hit the bar with a header.

Neymar cut inside to fire in his second, and fourth of the this World Cup, in the 35th minute and Brazil cruised home with a Fred header four minutes into the second half and a goal for substitute Fernandinho six minutes from time.

The hosts and favourites finish with seven points and will face Group B runners-up Chile in Belo Horizonte on Saturday. Mexico came second after a 3-1 win over Croatia and will play Netherlands. Cameroon were last after losing all three games.