Ruud's interuption

Fine header
For much of the match it looked as though the Netherlands, not for the first time, had flattered only to deceive their fervent fans, but Van Nistelrooij, who had had a quiet game, produced a fine near-post header from a Rafael van der Vaart cross to bring them their reward.

Zenden preferred
The one surprise in either lineup was the choice of Boudewijn Zenden in preference to 20-year-old Wesley Sneijder, who made such an impression in the Netherlands' last competitive outing against Scotland in the play-offs for this tournament.

First chance
This meant a more central role for Sneijder's AFC Ajax club-mate Van der Vaart, playing just behind Van Nistelrooij, to whom the first chance of the match fell after two minutes. Dutch captain Phillip Cocu chipped into the area and the Manchester United FC striker was not quite quick enough to connect with the goal at his mercy.

Needless booking
With Cocu and Edgar Davids prompting from deep the Dutch were in the ascendancy for much of the first quarter, but chances at either end were at a premium and German striker Kevin Kuranyi picked up a needless booking as he tried to rectify the situation by using his hand in the Dutch area.

Kuranyi effort
A half-hit shot by Christian Wörns from Bernd Schneider's cross, easily gathered by Edwin van der Sar, was the preface to Germany's first serious threat. After Frank Baumann had broken up a Dutch attack, Dietmar Hamann threaded a pass through for Kuranyi, who shot powerfully and Van der Sar tipped over the bar.

Frings opener
From the corner Wörns' downward header bounced up and over the bar when he might have done better, but Germany did not have long to wait. Cocu picked up the game's second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Philipp Lahm near the left touchline, and Torsten Frings' wickedly curling free-kick evaded everyone and bounced in off the far post.

Supporters silenced
The goal had arrived on the half-hour mark and the sea of orange around the ground fell silent. Van der Vaart nearly roused them four minutes before the break, after good work by Davids and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, but his shot on the turn slipped just past the post.

Ballack volley
For the second half Dutch coach Dick Advocaat replaced Zenden and Davids with Marc Overmars and Sneijder, who forced Oliver Kahn into his first save of the match not far short of the hour mark. Just prior to that Michael Ballack had volleyed wide and Kuranyi went close to converting another Schneider cross for Germany, who were now content to play on the break.

Schweinsteiger arrival
Overmars meanwhile embarked on a head-to-head duel with Arne Friedrich, the Hertha BSC Berlin right-back, and from one corner gained, Wilfred Bouma headed over the bar. This signalled the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger, the 19-year-old from FC Bayern München, in place of Schneider.

Stam cautioned
Within moments the youngster had worked his way into the penalty area and only a deflection off Van Bronckhorst prevented Germany from doubling their lead. Two minutes later Jaap Stam entered referee Anders Frisk's notebook for bringing Ballack's breakaway to a grinding halt but Hamann fired harmlessly wide from the resultant free-kick.

Kahn supreme
Pierre van Hooijdonk's height was then added to the Dutch attack, and Overmars brought the best out of Kahn with a snap-shot before Van Nistelrooij's flashing header levelled the match.

Germany Goals: Frings 30

Holland Goals: van Nistelrooy 45

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