Holland 2 Denmark 0

Holland won the game because the team attacked more, however the first goal was scored by a Dane (own goal by Simon Poulsen after 46’) and five minutes before the end, Kuyt buried the ball, and the game, in Sorensen’s net.

Denmark kicked off with a sense of purpose that saw Rommedahl skip past two defenders and almost set himself up for his shot, before he was fouled. The rest of the first half followed the same pattern as the preceding games of soccer, with neither side willing to take risks, attacking and defending in a block. Holland’s 4 corners to Denmark’s 2 perhaps sums up the share of attacking football.

After the break, 1-0 for Holland, an own goal scored by Simon Poulsen on 46’, heading in the cross by Holland’s Robin van Persie, the ball hitting Agger’s back. After this, it was a repeat performance, Denmark making the occasional foray, Holland being the more aggressive side and having more possession. Denmark’s coach Morten Olsen tried to inject some fresh ideas into his side, using all three substitutes by 73’.

Holland wrapped it up on 85’ when Kuyt poked the ball home after Wesley Sneijder (FIFA man of the match) set up Elia, whose shot came back off the post.

In total, Holland had 6 corners to Denmark’s 2.

Line-ups

Holland: Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathusen, V. Bronckhurst, V. Bommel, Kuyt, de Jong (de Zeeuw), Van Persie (Afellay), Sneijder, Van der Vaart (Elia)

Denmark: Sorensen, C. Poulsen, Kjaer, Agger, L. Jacobsen, Jorgensen, Bendtner (Beckmann), Kahlenberg (Eriksen), S. B. Poulsen, Rommedahl, Enevoldsen (Gronkjaer)