Dutch masterclass downs French

Flyin' Dutchman : Arjen Robben's thunderous strike put Holland 3-1 up against France. -ink[tm]

The Dutch romped past both 2006 World Cup finalists in Group C, beating Italy 3-0 before outclassing the French. Substitute Arjen Robben set up one goal and scored another. Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder also scored.

The only goal the 1988 Euro champions have conceded came from Thierry Henry, who scored his record 45th goal for France in the 71st minute.

With a second classic performance in as many games, the Dutch again produced the sparkle any championship craves. And the second Dutch goal will be cherished by the Netherlands for years, while it haunts the aging French defence.

After Kuyt gave the Netherlands the lead in the ninth minute with a header from a corner kick, Van Persie finished off an attack in the 59th.

Ruud van Nistelrooy spun some magic with close footwork to send Robben down the left on a counterattack. The winger outran the opposition, bided his time and saw Van Persie make a run on the right. Van Persie pushed Robben's pass past Gregory Coupet for the second goal.

After Henry had put the game within French reach with a subtle deflection from a cross by Willy Sagnol, the tension in the 30,000-capcity stadium suddenly was electric.

One minute later, though, Robben got loose on the left, with defender Lilian Thuram ahead of him. Robben created space and rifled the ball past Coupet high in the net. Thuram didn't know what happened to him.

The left-winger ran onto Sneijder's through-ball down the left channel, won himself half a yard against Thuram and drove home a powerful drive from a narrow angle into the roof of the net.

It was left for Sneijder to add garnish, his superb curling shot from 25 yards giving Coupet no chance.

Well done!

Congrats Van Basten & his lads!