The investigation over why Netherlands have been so dire in this World Cup qualifying cycle will run deep. What happened to the footballing ideals of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff? Why aren't the Dutch producing players like in bygone eras?
But for Mexican university student Jose Luis Mercado, it can all be broken down into one concept: karma.
Like many Mexico fans, Mercado remains upset at Arjen Robben's perceived dive to win a game-deciding penalty in the late stages of the round-of-16 tie against El Tri at the last World Cup.
Unlike most Mexico fans, however, Mercado has been tagging FIFA, the Dutch football association, the Mexican national team and Robben ever since then in a similar tweet, counting the number of days with the phrase: "It wasn't a penalty."
3 años, 101 días, @KNVB @FIFAcom @miseleccionmx @ArjenRobben no era penal. pic.twitter.com/dFa8c0w3B4
— Joseso MOr (@Josesomor26) October 8, 2017
The KNVB responded with "It was a penalty!" on the three-year anniversary of the game: June 29, 2017. But, 1199 days on -- that's three years and 103 days -- Mercado reserved a special tweet for the Netherlands World Cup qualifying exit.
3 años, 103 días, @KNVB @FIFAcom @miseleccionmx @ArjenRobben 😂😂🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️ pic.twitter.com/jeO27qR46n
— Joseso MOr (@Josesomor26) October 10, 2017
"Better luck next time," the message read. "Hope to see you in Qatar... or not."
"I believe in karma and it has something to do with (the Netherlands going out)," Mercado told Mexican outlet Medio Tiempo. "Things happen for a reason and I think that, after Robben's bad vibes in diving to get through to the next round, now they are paying the price in not going to the World Cup."
The Dutch football association may not be as ready to laugh it off this time around.