Full-time - 90'
Netherlands
2 - 1
Slovakia

14:00 GMT, June 28, 2010

Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa


Arjen Robben made an immediate impact on his first start for the Netherlands as he scored early on to sink Slovakia. Wesley Sneijder made the game safe in the final ten minutes as the Dutch progressed to the quarter-finals, before Robert Vittek netted a penalty with the last kick of the game.


MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder - Arjen Robben made the headlines when enjoying his first start of the tournament and scoring a lovely opening goal, but it was another gorgeous pass from Sneijder that set him free. The Inter Milan playmaker controlled the game throughout and his goal with six minutes remaining was just reward. Few in world football are as decisive as Sneijder with the ball at his feet and he appears to be flourishing at just the right time for Netherlands.

Netherlands verdict: After their opening win over Denmark, Rafael van der Vaart said: "We played like the Germans [usually do] and they played like us." That assessment continues to be a perceptive one. While Joachim Low's side sauntered into the second round, it is the Oranje who are grinding out victories and doing just enough to progress - two qualities usually associated with their Germanic rivals. Netherlands are yet to draw any Total Football comparisons, but having maintained their 100% record, they will be keen to pick up the German habit of making the final, even if there is more to come from this side.

Slovakia verdict: A step too far. Few fancied Slovakia to make it out of the group stage before Vladimir Weiss oversaw a stunning 3-2 win over reigning champions Italy, but Netherlands are a different prospect entirely to the ageing Azzurri. Slovakia should have equalised when Maarten Stekelenburg denied Robert Vittek and will rue the glaring miss from their star striker, but they did not deserve to progress against a talented Dutch side.

Could do better: Marek Hamsik - The Napoli midfielder was supposed to showcase his talent to the watching world in South Africa but instead a relatively low-key campaign has come to a disappointing end. He suffered in comparison with Sneijder who showed his opponent how to run a game.

Stat attack: Robert Vittek is now Slovakia's all-time leading goalscorer having surpassed Szilard Nemeth with his 23rd goal for his country.

Netherlands have now won all four games at the World Cup and will meet the winner of Brazil's clash with Chile on Friday in Port Elizabeth.

The game at the Moses Mabhida stadium offered two contrasting styles, with the Oranje pursuing a patient passing game while Slovakia adopted a more direct approach to try to utilise Vittek's pace.

Robben earned his first start at the World Cup after recovering from a calf injury and he terrorised Slovakia's defence with pace and skill before being replaced after the hour mark.

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss made just one change to the side that knocked Italy out of the tournament.

The Slovaks, looking to upset another World Cup heavyweight, started in confident fashion and had the first chance after two minutes but Erik Jendrisek's left-footed strike from 25 yards went over the bar.

Netehrlands struggled to break down Slovakia's defence and were limited to long-range shooting. Sneijder tried his luck from distance and his effort went high and wide while shortly after, Dirk Kuyt fired just wide of the near post.

In the 10th minute, Sneijder should have done better after being set up inside the area by Van Persie. However, the Inter Milan forward shot straight at Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

It did not take long for Holland to go in front, though. A great long ball from Sneijder found Robben and the Bayern Munich winger cut inside two defenders before firing a left-footed strike into the net.

On the half-hour mark, Miroslav Stoch got the ball into the danger zone but no-one was there to get on the end of his cross.

Van Marwijk's side were happy to sit on their lead with Slovakia unable to put a good move together. Robin van Persie should have doubled Netherlands' lead before half-time but his close-range shot from Mark van Bommel's cross went wide.

Slovakia showed more determination after the restart but it was the Oranje who looked more deadly. Mucha was twice called into action to prevent them from extending their lead.

The Slovakia goalkeeper was forced to fully stretch to make a one-handed save from Robben's shot and, seconds later, Mark van Bommel's close-range shot was parried away by Mucha.

Stekelenburg made his first save of the afternoon in the 65th minute by palming over Stoch's right-footed strike from the edge of the area. Slovakia should have equalised seconds later but Vittek's effort was parried away by Stekelenburg.

At the other end, Kuyt latched onto Sneijder's free-kick but his header went over the bar. In the 73rd minute, Kuyt warmed the hands of Mucha with a stinging drive from 25 yards and Holland ended Slovakia's hopes in the 84th minute. Kuyt fed Sneijder and he struck the ball home from 15 yards.

With seconds remaining, Vittek coolly scored from the penalty spot to score his fourth goal of the World Cup, but it was too little, too late.