Sneijder 84

A goal in each half capped a workmanlike Netherlands display which saw them overcome a brave but limited Slovakia side, conquerors of holders Italy.

The Dutch went ahead when Arjen Robben, in his first tournament start, latched onto a fine pass by Wesley Sneijder, cut inside a defender and unleashed a trademark left-foot drive into the corner of the net.

Robben nearly repeated the trick shortly after half-time only to see his shot saved by Slovak keeper Jan Mucha, who got his face in the way of a Joris Mathijsen shot moments later.

Slovakia had their chances in a lively second half, with Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenberg denying Miroslav Stoch and Robert Vittek. But the Dutch still deserved to double their advantage late on, Sneijder side-footing home Dirk Kuyt’s pass.

Vittek scored Slovakia’s consolation from the penalty spot, with the last kick of the game, after Stekelenberg brought him down.