Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder was on Saturday credited with the opening goal in his side's 2-1 quarter-final victory over Brazil, FIFA announced on their website.

With the Dutch trailing 1-0 in the 53rd minute of Friday's game, Sneijder swung a cross into the Brazilian penalty area from the Dutch's right side that was inadvertently headed past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar by his team-mate Felipe Melo.

The goal was originally credited as an own goal by Melo, but FIFA explained that, because Melo's touch did not radically alter the direction of the ball, the goal had instead been awarded to Sneijder.

"Shots which are on target (i.e. goal bound) and come off a defender, or shots which rebound from the goal-frame and bounce-off a defender or goalkeeper may be considered as an own goal, but in the instance of the Netherlands opening goal against Brazil, the TSG (Technical Study Group) have decided to credit the goal to the attacking player," read a statement on the FIFA website.

Sneijder went on to head in Holland's winner in the 68th minute and with four goals so far in the tournament he is now joint-top scorer alongside Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain, Slovakia's Robert Vittek and David Villa of Spain.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP