Russia Beat Netherlands 3-1 After Extra Time

June 22, 2008 by CLDsport

Russia have dumped the Netherlands out of Euro 2008 with a fine performance, once again inspired by Andrei Arshavin. With the scores level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Russia scored twice in extra time to end the Netherlands’ hopes.

Arshavin missed the first two games of Russia’s Euro 2008 campaign with suspension - and since he has returned Russia have looked a different team. He masterminded Russia’s 2-0 win against Sweden to put them into the quarter-finals, and has now proved it was not a one-off performance.

Right from the start, Russia looked the better team. The Netherlands struggled to find their feet, and had lost their group match form. It may have been a case of a team that peaked too soon.

Russia had chance after chance in the first half, with Edwin van der Sar making several fantastic saves - including tipping Kolodin’s 35-yard screamer over the bar.

As the teams came out for the second half, Dirk Kuyt was replaced with Robin van Persie. Kuyt had endured a completely ineffective 45 minutes, and it was clear that Marco van Basten knew that his team would struggle if they failed to create some chances.

In the 56th minute however, the inevitable became reality. Sergei Semak was played in brilliantly down the left by Arshavin, and the resulting cross was expertly volleyed home by Pavlyuchenko.

Unbelievably, it was the first time the Dutch had been behind in the tournament. Even so, it was no great surprise considering the excellence of Russia’s play.

Russia came close to doubling their lead on several occasions, as the Dutch pushed for an equaliser. Despite the frustrating lack of quality, van Basten’s team managed to haul themselves back into the game with just 4 minutes left on the clock.

Sneijder’s free-kick was headed in by Van Nistelrooy to the Russian’s dismay. After Turkey’s comeback to beat Croatia the evening before, Hiddink must have been fearing the worst. It was a cruel turn of events for a team that had completely outclassed the opposition all night.

In injury-time, Russia’s night appeared to be heading for disaster as they were reduced to 10 men with the sending off of defender Kolodin. After a foul on Sneijder he was shown a second yellow card. But, as Kolodin was leaving the field, the referee reversed his decision after talking to one of his assistants - who told him that Sneijder had not kept the ball in play, and so the foul did not stand. Replays seem to suggest the assistant MAY have been wrong……..

The Russians did not let their heads drop, and continued to dominate in extra-time. Pavlyuchenko hit the crossbar, and Arshavin was working his magic time after time. The tiring Dutch simply could not control him, and simply put, he was running the show!

Zhirkov seemed to be denied a clear-cut penalty when Heitinga brought him down in the box, but the referee failed to give Russia the spot-kick.

Soon after, however, Hiddinks team got their just reward. The outstanding Arshavin left the Dutch in his tracks down the left flank, and then floated a sumptuous cross that was out of van der Sar’s reach and Torbinski poked the ball home in the 112th minute.

With 4 minutes remaining Arshavin got the goal that he so richly deserved, after picking up a throw in and finishing through Edwin van der Sar’s legs.

There only ever looked like there was going to be one winner in this one. Although it’s not the team that were predicted to win tonight. Russia are suddenly looking dangerous, and can match any of the teams left in the competition. Dutchman Guus Hiddink has led Russia to a semi-final meeting between either Italy or Spain - who meet tomorrow night (Sunday).

Share and Enjoy: