Trademark solid defence of the reigning World Cup holders Italy has got a ruthless smash as the Netherlands broke the goalmouth guarded by Gianluigi Buffon three times to claim a very precious win in their first match of the Group of Death here on Monday.
The 3-0 victory sent Marco van Basten's side on the top of the standings of Group C after the former world and European champions France were held a goalless draw by pre-tournament outsiders Romania in the earlier group opener in Zurich.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's header from very close range to the high center of the goal on 79 minutes sealed the win after Dirk Kuyt sent out his second assist in a sole game with a cross following a fast break, the same routine to the Netherlands' second goal earlier in the first half.
Italy's Christian Panucci (L) is challenged by Netherlands' Giovanni van Bronckhorst during their Group C Euro 2008 soccer match at the Stade de Suisse stadium in Bern, June 9, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) An arguable goal by striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 26th minute put the Netherlands ahead and stirred the Stade de Suisse with whistles from fans of the Azzurri and cheers by the Oranje's supporters.
Buffon punched a Dutch corner from the right out into the middle of the area before the ball was jabbed back through a crowd of defenders and Van Nistelrooy, who stood a good six meters behind the deepest defender, diverted it past the goalie.
Even the Real Madrid striker himself couldn't seem to believe the goal had been allowed before the Swedish linesman confirmed it and Van Nistelrooy thus ran off side to celebrate it with teammates. Italy's World Cup winning forward Luca Toni was booked for complaining in the aftermath.
Just five minutes later, the Dutch improved the score board to 2-0 as Wesley Sneijder volleyed the ball home at the near post with panache following an incredible fast breakthrough.
It should had been a moment favoring Italy as the Azzurri's corner found nobody but was headed off the line by Van Bronckhorst, but the Dutch broke in an incredible speed before a cross-field ball from the left found Dirk Kuyt four meters from the goalline on the right and he nodded it into the path of Sneijder.
Italy's chance of pulling back a point slipped in the 54th minute when defender Gianluca Zambrotta' s right-footed shot from the left side of the box went close by just narrowly miss target to the right.
The Barcelona left back, who was picked by an Andrea Pirlo pass, cleverly flipped the ball over Kuyt's head, cut in from the byline and curled a shot from a tight angle just wide of the far post on 54 minutes.
Source: Xinhua
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