A Mario Gomez brace seals Germany's 2-1 win over the Dutch.

Holland 1-2 Germany
Euro 2012
Group B
Kharkiv
Wednesday 13 June

Ruthless Mario Gomez scored two stunning goals for Germany as they beat Holland 2-1 in Kharkiv to leave the Dutch on the brink of an early exit and the Germans with one foot in the quarter-finals.

Gomez scored twice in the first half - both superb strikes - and although Robin van Persie replied after the break Holland, who have also lost to Denmark in these finals, sit bottom of Group B with no points so far.

The Dutch, who reached the World Cup Final in 2010, now need to beat Portugal in their final group fixture, hope Denmark lose to Germany and also ensure they have the best goal difference if they want to make it through to the last eight.

Gomez's first goal came when Bastian Schweinsteiger found him with a clever, crisp straight pass and the big striker turned balletically 180 degrees on the ball before calmly steering a shot past Dutch keeper Stekelenburg after 24 minutes.

The second after 37 minutes was just as sweet, and featured the same combination as Schweinsteiger put Gomez through, this time wide to the keeper's left, before Gomez swept a glorious shot across Stekelenburg for 2-0.

The Germans had other chances, too - in particularl a close range header from Holger Badstuber from a Mesut Ozil cross that was miraculously saved; and Holland could see their Euro 2012 dreams fading away at an alarming rate.

If it wasn't for Stekelenburg it would have been all over by the 52nd minute, when he made a wonderful double save from Germany's Hummels.

Van Persie, who wasted two excellent early chances to put the Dutch ahead,  then had another opportunity to get Holland back in the game, but saw his well-struck shot superbly saved at the other end.

Wesley Sneijder was also denied by a terrifically brave block from Jerome Boateng but the goal finally came after 73 minutes; and it was a stunning one that was certainly worth waiting for.

Van Persie collected the ball on the left flank, cut inside, drove towards goal and then unleashed a stunning swerving low shot - with his right foot - that beat Neuer all ends up.

Unfortunately for Holland, however, it wasn't enough. And they now face a nervous wait to see if they can save their tournament - while Germany need only a point to top the group when the face Denmark next.

Holland
Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Willems, Nigel De Jong, Van Bommel (van der Vaart 46), Robben (Kuyt 83), Sneijder, Afellay (Huntelaar 46), van Persie.
Substitutes not used Vorm, Bouma, Vlaar, Schaars, Strootman, Luuk De Jong, Narsingh, Boulahrouz, Krul.

Germany
Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller (Bender 90), Ozil (Kroos 81), Podolski, Gomez (Klose 72)
Substitutes not used Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Schurrle, Mertesacker, Kroos, Gotze, Reus, Zieler.