The Netherlands went in to this game expected to win after incredible results in the group stages, including beating both of the 2006 World Cup Finalists (France and Italy) by three goals each time. Russia were expected to be thrashed in this game after coming second in their group, but their final game against Sweden showed that they still may have some thing to offer after playing extremely good football.
Surprisingly, Russia started off the better team, with lots of possession and some good chances, with Kolodin with three shots from way out side the penalty area resulting in good saves and extremely near misses.
Although Russia dominated, the Dutch had good chances, and Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy should have put Holland one up after a brilliant free kick was inches away from his boot, and although Russia had more chances, the Dutch chances were better, and the half time score was 0 – 0.
In the second half it was much the same story, with Russia leading the way and the Dutch having few chances, and it was on the sixty third minute when Roman Pavlyuchenko slotted the ball in to the near post after a brilliant cross. Their lead was canceled out on the eighty sixth minute though, when Van Nistelrooy headed from point blank range after a brilliant free kick from Sneidjer.
In the first period of extra time, Russia continued to dominate, and the Dutch looked more and more desperate, and it was in the second half of extra time when, on the one hundred and twelfth minute, Torbinsky tapped the ball home from less than a foot off the line after a cross looped over Van Der Sar’s head.
Russia confirmed their victory with four minutes remaining, when man of the match Andrei Arshavin’s deflected shot went through the legs of the Dutch keeper.
Overall a fine game, and whoever Russia face next out of Spain or Italy will be worried. Favorites Holland are out of the tournament though, and their fans will be truly disheartened, although the better team won.
After the Netherlands were already going through, a draw would have guaranteed them first place, and there were rumors that they might let Romania win intentionally so that France and Italy were both out for the knock out stages. Romania had been playing well, after drawing with both World Cup finalists they needed either a draw in this game and the France v Italy game, or to beat the Netherlands to go through.
Neither team started particularly well, the Dutch team that had nine (yes nine!) changes looked very nervous, which was surprising due to them already being through. The closest the first half came to producing a Romanian goal was a couple of self made opportunities by former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu, where as Holland’s best opportunity fell to Arjen Robben who looked hasty and poked the ball past the post.
The second half is when a much needed goal came, and it went for the Dutch. A low cross from Afellay was calmly converted by star striker Huntelaar, and the Romanians were punished for not taking the game to Holland.
The next goal came very late in the second half, and once again fell for the Dutch. Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie skilled out the Romanian defender, leaving him literally in tangles on the floor, before smashing the ball in to the near top corner to ensure the Netherlands one hundred per cent win rate was kept intact.
Overall, not a brilliant game, with the Romanians being too conservative when they really should have pushed on the Dutch defense. Tonight’s results mean that the Netherlands top the group with nine points, the Italians come second with four points, Romania come third with two points, and France lose the group with just one point.
In their first game France suffered a disappointing goal less draw to Romania, where as the Netherlands beat the current World Cup holders Italy by a three goal margin. Winning this game would allow the Dutch to qualify for the quarter finals, and a loss for France would put them in serious trouble and make it difficult for them to get in to the knock out stage.
After kick off, France started to dominate the game, keeping possession well and even having a few early shots, but it was after just nine minutes when, on a counter attack, the Netherlands were awarded a corner. After a superb cross, on form Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt headed the ball past the helpless French goal keeper in to the net.
After that the Dutch dominated for a long time, keeping possession extremely well and creating some good opportunities for shots, although they failed to capitalize these chances. Then, on the thirtieth minute the tides changed and France started to dominate, pounding shot after shot in to the capable hands of Manchester United shot stopper Edwin Van Der Sar, although he was getting increasingly annoyed with his defence’s poor display.
Back out for the second half, and the French look fresh and ready to go, coming extremely close to scoring on a couple of occasions, but they can’t get the ball in to the Dutch goal, then all their hard work is undone by an Arjen Robben cross which Robin Van Persie slams into the French goal keeper, who can’t keep it out.
France look more and more beaten as the game progressed, but there was a glimmer of hope when Willy Sagnol played a ball across the Dutch goal and Barcelona strike Theirry Henry touches the ball into the Dutch net.
But the French celebrations are cut short, as less than a minute later, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben runs up the left wing before cutting inside and blasting the ball past the keeper from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
Understandably, the men from France are getting extremely worried, and are pressing, desperately trying to salvage a draw from the game, but on the last minute of stoppage time, Van Persie passes to Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the box, who turns and pounds the ball into the top corner to round off an amazing game.
Well, what a game! The Netherlands are through to the quarter finals, and France, Italy and Romania all have a chance to come second. A remarkable performance by Holland though, who look like they might just go all the way.
