Serbia & Montenegro 0-1 Holland

2006 World Cup Finals, Group C
2pm (BST), Sunday 11 June 2006
Zentralstadion, Leipzig

A first-half goal from Arjen Robben was enough to earn Holland a 1-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro in their opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Leipzig.

Robben struck the only goal of an absorbing contest in the 18th minute, finishing confidently after his speed carried him clear of the Serbia and Montenegro back line.

The victory puts Marco van Basten's Dutch team level on three points with Argentina at the top of Group C.

Serbia and Montenegro fought all the way but the Dutch did enough to secure a narrow and important win in this keenly contested game.

Van Basten can celebrate his first victory in a FIFA World Cup game, either as a player or coach.

The Oranje can look ahead with confidence to facing Côte d'Ivoire on Friday while Serbia and Montenegro next face another daunting assigment against Argentina.

Serbia & Montenegro: Jevric, Dragutinovic, Gavrancic, Nenad Djordjevic (Koroman 43), Krstajic, Duljaj, Stankovic, Predrag Djordjevic, Nadj, Kezman (Ljuboja 66), Milosevic (Zigic 45).
Subs Not Used: Basta, Dudic, Ergic, Ilic, Kovacevic, Stojkovic, Vukic.

Holland: Van der Sar, Heitinga, Mathijsen (Boulahrouz 86), Ooijer, Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder, Van Bommel (Landzaat 60), Cocu, Van Persie, van Nistelrooy (Kuyt 69), Robben.
Subs Not Used: Babel, De Cler, Jaliens, Kromkamp, Maduro, Stekelenburg, Timmer, Van der Vaart, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Goals: Robben 18

Att: 37,216.

Ref: Markus Merk (Germany).