Inspired Russians stun Netherlands

An Andrei Arshavin-inspired Russia has booked a spot in the Euro 2008 semi-finals after upsetting the Netherlands 3-1 in Basle.

Despite being many people's favourites to win the tournament after their scintillating performances in the group stage, the flat Dutch were comprehensively outplayed by the Russians, who were unlucky not to win the game in normal time such was their domination.

Roman Pavlyuchenko put Russia ahead just before the hour, but Ruud van Nistelrooy finished a Wesley Sneijder free-kick with five minutes to play to draw the Dutch level. But in extra time, the Russians again dictated play, and second-period goals to substitute Dmitri Torbinsky and the superb Arshavin sealed a famous win for Russia.

It was a sweet victory for Russia's Dutch manager Guus Hiddink, who has built a strong reputation of getting the best out of unfancied teams. In the build-up he suggested that he'd like nothing better than to be considered the biggest traitor in the Netherlands, and he has now fulfilled this prediction.

Hiddink made just one change to his side that destroyed Sweden, with Ivan Saenko replacing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, whilst Dutch counterpart Marco van Basten opted not to start Arjen Robben or Robin van Persie, instead preferring the same XI that defeated Italy and France so comprehensively.

From the start, it was the Russians who somewhat unexpectedly took the game to the Dutch, and Pavlyuchenko had the best early chance, but he headed over despite finding himself in space.

The Dutch failed to find any rhythm comparable to their earlier performances during the group stage, as the flair that had been a hallmark of their play was absent throughout the entire 120 minutes. Sneijder had the Dutch's first opportunity, but his shot was well blocked by Sergei Ignashevich.

Russia looked extremely vulnerable defending set-pieces for the whole match, and on the half-hour the Dutch nearly exploited the weakness, but Rafael van der Vaart's whipped free-kick travelled just beyond the lunging Nigel de Jong and van Nistelrooy.

Arshavin proved a constant menace for the Dutch, who often failed to double-team him despite his immense influence. Just after the half-hour he forced Dutch custodian Edwin van der Sar into a smart save after he tried to curl an effort into the bottom corner.

Throughout the first half, young Russian centre-back Denis Kolodin wowed the crowd with his blistering right boot. After a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, Kolodin unleashed a rocket from no less than 40 yards which forced van der Sar to tip over, and again from the next corner he tried his luck again, but this time his shot whistled inches over the bar from even further out.

But he still looked vulnerable in defence, and after giving the ball away cheaply on the edge of his own box just before half time, he was relieved to see van der Vaart's shot comfortably saved by Akinfeev.

The Dutch introduced Robin van Persie at half time for Dirk Kuyt to try to spark some life into the side, and his impact was almost immediate as he flashed a volley wide less than a minute into the second half.

But van der Sar was still the busier goalkeeper throughout the second half, and ten minutes later, the Russians deservedly made the breakthrough. Moments after Arshavin had sent a wicked free kick just wide from wide on the left, veteran Sergei Semak made a good run down the same flank, before crossing the ball to Pavlyuchenko, who finished first-time with his left foot, leaving van der Sar rooted to the spot.

Despite the goal, the Dutch were still disappointing in attack, and they were restricted to audacious efforts from long range, with van der Vaart trying his luck with a dinky chip.

As they pushed numbers forward, they were nearly caught at the back as Russian right-back Alexsandr Anyukov found space in the penalty area, but an extended hand from van der Sar kept the margin to one goal.

After more Dutch shots from range failed to find their mark, poor Dutch defending nearly gifted substitute Torbinsky an opening, but Joris Mathijsen averted the danger.

It proved an important intervention, as after 86 minutes, the Dutch restored parity through van Nistelrooy.

Russia's defensive frailties were to blame, as van Nistelrooy stole in ahead of Ignashevich to bundle in Sneijder's inviting free kick from close range. It was an unmerited equaliser, but you can never allow van Nistelrooy to find space goal-side from a set-piece.

As the game edged into stoppage time, an unusual situation transpired as Kolodin was shown a second yellow card, only to have it rescinded by the linesman. Slovakian referee Lubos Michel gave Kolodin a second yellow card, but because the ball had gone out for a goal-kick before his challenge, Michel reversed his decision, much to the astonishment of the Dutch players.

In extra time, despite conceding the late goal, Russia again took the ascendancy, and Pavlyuchenko was unlucky not to score his second after his long range effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

Torbinsky had Russia's next chance two minutes later after clever play by Arshavin, but his shot had no power and was picked up by van der Sar.

Left-back Yuri Zhirkov then had a penalty appeal turned down at the beginning of the second period of extra time, despite appearing to be shoved by substitute John Heitinga. But the Russians finally gained what turned out to be the winner after 112 minutes, and again it was Arshavin at the centre of it.

After another brilliant run down the right by Arshavin, his cross, perhaps more by luck than design, floated over van der Sar's head and onto the boot of the gleeful Torbinsky, who poked the ball into the unguarded net to the delight of the entire Russian squad, which proceeded to pile on top of him in celebration.

The Dutch looked a beaten side after falling behind again, and they conceded again five minutes later. The Dutch defence lost concentration as Anyukov's long throw allowed Arshavin to get goal-side of the tiring defence, and he then slid the ball through van der Sar's legs via a slight deflection off Heitinga.

It was a deserved goal for Arshavin, who was once again Russia's talisman. The full-time whistle was met by stunned disbelief by the Dutch players and fans, but they can have no complaints after their collectively poor performance.

For the Russians, they find themselves in the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since the Soviet Union's break-up, and they now await the winner of Spain and Italy in tomorrow's quarter-final.

Ratings

Netherlands
1 - Van der Sar - 7 - Nothing he could do about goals. Kept the margin respectable.
2 - Ooijer - 6 - Often outpaced by nippy Arshavin.
4 - Mathijsen - 7 - The Dutch's best defender.
5 - Van Bronckhorst - 6 - Not his best performance.
8 - Engelaar - 6 - Fine.
9 - Van Nistelrooy - 7 - A constant threat.
10 - Sneijder - 8 - Never stopped working.
17 - De Jong - 6 - Worked hard.
18 - Kuyt - 5 - No impact.
21 - Boulahrouz - 6 - Battled hard in trying circumstances.
23 - Van der Vaart - 6 - Quiet game.

(SUB) 3 - Heitinga - 5 - Poor and clumsy after coming on.
(SUB) 7 - Van Persie - 6 - Didn't have desired effect.
(SUB) 20 - Afellay - 6 - Minimal impact.

Russia
1 - Akinfeev - 7 - Not much to do.
4 - Ignashevich - 6 - Marking at set-pieces average, otherwise fine.
8 - Kolodin - 7 - Growing in confidence.
9 - Saenko - 6 - Limited impact.
10 - Arshavin - 9 - Outstanding player on the pitch.
11 - Semak - 7 - Experienced head in midfield.
17 - Zyrianov - 7 - Continued his impressive form.
18 - Zhirkov - 7 - Quieter than he has been, but still solid.
19 - Pavlyuchenko - 8 - Unlucky to have not scored more than once.
20 - Semshov - 7 - Tireless worker.
22 - Anyukov - 6 - Worked hard.

(SUB) 7 - Torbinsky - 7 - Scored decisive goal, could've scored more.
(SUB) 15 - Bilyaletdinov - 6 - Not bad.
(SUB) 21 - Sychev - No time.