Netherlands beats France 4-1, qualify for quarterfinals

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-14  |     ONLINE EDITION

SUBSTITUTE Arjen Robben set up one goal and scored another yesterday to lead the Netherlands to a 4-1 victory over France and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

While the Dutch clinched first place in Group C, the result left France needing a win over World Cup champion Italy in its last match to stand a good chance of advancement.

With a second classic performance in as many games, the Dutch again produced the sparkle any championship craves, compiling a total of seven goals against World Cup finalists Italy and France. The Netherlands beat Italy 3-0 Monday.

The only goal the 1988 champions have conceded came from Thierry Henry, who scored his record 45th goal for France in the 71st minute. Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder also scored for the Dutch yesterday.

The second Dutch goal will be cherished by the Netherlands for years and will haunt the aging French defense. 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.

Van Nistelrooy spun some magic with close footwork to send Robben down the left and the counter was on. The winger outran opposition, bided his time and saw Van Persie make a run on the right. The Arsenal winger pushed it past Gregory Coupet for the second goal.

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

One minute later, Robben was loose on the left, with France's once-great defender Lilian Thuram ahead of him. Working at twice the pace, he created space and rifled the ball past Coupet high in the net. At 36, Thuram didn't know what happened to him.