June 13, 2008: The Netherlands scored an emphatic win over France in the crucial Group-C match at Stade de Suisse in Berne to advance to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008. In the 4-1 score line of the match number 14 of Euro 2008 between Netherlands and France, the scorers for the Netherlands were Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder. Thierry Henry scored the consolation goal for France.
The Netherlands started on an attacking note in the match and netted the first goal within 9 minutes of the match. Kuyt scored this goal off a powerful header following a corner taken by Rafael van der Vaart. The poor marking by the French defense was also responsible for the goal.
Most of the credit for the second goal of the Netherlands goes to Ruud van Nistelrooy and half-time substitute Robben. They went past the chasing French defenders to make a cross low and hard for Van Persie. Persie finished with a timely volley. The French goalkeeper Gregory Coupet could only get a hand to the ball but could not stop the ball from going beyond the goal line.
Thierry Henry, all time leading scorer for France pulled one back for his team in the 71st minute of the match. But Robben netted the 3rd goal of the evening for the Dutch within 30 seconds from Henry’s goal. Even the stoppage time proved fatal for France when Sneijder scored the Dutch 4th goal off a long-range drive.
After the win, the Netherlands became the topper of Group C with 6 points. They are 4 points ahead of Romania. France and Italy are tied at the bottom spot with only 1 point from 2 matches and a goal difference of –3. France and Italy will meet in their last leg match on Tuesday in Zurich.
Final Score Netherlands-France Match June 13
Netherlands 4-1 France
Goals: 5
Teams:
Netherlands: Van der Sar, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Engelaar (Robben 45 minutes), Kuyt (Van Persie 55 minutes), Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy
France: Coupet, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Evra, Toulalan, Makelele, Govou, Ribery, Malouda (Gomis 60), Henry
