Both Portugal and the Netherlands had everything to play for in their game at Metalist Stadium in Kharkov, Ukraine. A win would essentially secure qualification for the Portuguese. The Netherlands required at least a two goal winning margin as well as hoping the in-form Germans could beat Denmark in their last group game.

With the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in their squad, the Netherlands are a side always capable of producing excellent attacking displays. They set about doing just that when they took the lead in the 11^th minute. Robben fed the ball to Rafael van der Vaart on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder curled the ball into the top corner, beyond the reaches of the beleaguered Rui Patricio.

Often criticized for their defending, the Netherlands were lucky to still be leading after twenty minutes. Poor defending allowed Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga and Raul Meireles to all have early attempts, although all three failed to test Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal.

So often the hero for Real Madrid, Ronaldo came close to doing the same for Portugal when he beat his marker to meet Nani’s cross, but his header, albeit powerful, was aimed close to Stekelenburg. The Dutch goalkeeper made an impressive reflex save, continuing to leave Ronaldo goalless so far at the tournament.

His wait was not a long one, however, as he leveled the scores for his side in the 27^th minute. He timed his run to perfection to collect Joao Pereira’s through ball into the area and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Stekelenburg.

Despite starting more brightly, the Netherlands were looking outclassed at the half time whistle with Portugal, and more specifically Ronaldo, growing into the game as it progressed. The interval offered a chance for the Netherlands to regroup and attempt to re-establish the dominance they enjoyed at the beginning of the first half – a must if they were to have any chance of progressing into the knockout stages of the tournament.

A few tactical changes, including the switching of Robben to the left wing and Robin van Persie to the right, allowing Sneijder to hover behind the striker and attempt to pick up the ball in the space between the defense and the midfield, seemed to breathe life into the Dutch. Yet they still seemed to lack the final pass or composure to unlock the Portuguese defense.

With time running out, the Dutch threw caution to the wind, bringing in Ibrahim Affelay for Jetro Willems, weakening their defense to bring on the extra attacker. Their defensive frailties were soon realized when Ronaldo scored his second of the night after being given far too much time on the ball in the Dutch penalty area.

Credit should be given to the Dutch for their unwillingness to give up on the game, but with just fifteen minutes left to play and three goals needed to put them into a position to qualify from the group, it was a case of too little too late. The Dutch succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Portugal.

Portugal manager Paulo Bento will be thrilled not only with the attacking incision displayed by his team, but also their defensive discipline. With the knockout rounds looming, the resurgence in form of Ronaldo has to be the biggest positive from the game and will have quarter-final opponent Czech Republic worried.

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Group B of the European Championships got off to a competitive start when Denmark took on World Cup runners-up the Netherlands at Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

The Dutch were favored heading into the match and started well, pressuring Denmark all over the pitch and causing a number of errors, but despite going close through both Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder, they were unable to break the deadlock.

The opening goal, against the run of play, fell to the Danes in the 24th minute when Michael Krohn-Dehli picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty box following a cross from Simon Poulsen, and burst past defender Ron Vlaar to fire the ball beneath the helpless Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal.

The Netherlands continued to threaten and should have equalized when Vlaar was left unmarked at a corner but his header went harmlessly wide of the goal. An even better opportunity beckoned minutes later when Danish goalkeeper Stephan Andersen attempted to pass to one of his defenders, but instead sent the ball straight to the feet of Arjen Robben, but the wingers’ curled effort hit the post to the relief of the travelling Danish fans.

The rest of the first half played out with the Netherlands in almost complete control of the game, repeatedly denied an equalizer by the impressive duo of Daniel Agger and Simon Kjaer at the heart of the Denmark defense.

The Dutch onslaught continued at the beginning of the second half, Robben forcing Andersen into a good save to his right whilst Ibrahim Afellay was inches wide of the goal with his left footed strike from outside the area. Frustration from the Dutch players at their inability to break down a resolute Danish defense led to some poor passing from the Netherlands, gifting possession back to Denmark on more than one occasion and allowing the Danes to relieve some of the pressure being exerted on them.

With the Netherlands getting more desperate for a goal, they began to push more players forward and were only denied it by the heroics of Andersen, the goalkeeper coming out to smother the ball at the feet of Klaas Jan-Huntelaar, as the Dutch striker was readying himself to lift the ball over the rushing goalkeeper and towards the unguarded net.

Despite their best efforts, the slick passing game of the Dutch could not break down a well disciplined Danish side, and Denmark recorded a highly impressive 1-0 victory.

Denmark manager Morten Olsen will be thrilled with his sides’ victory, a feat even more impressive given that Group B has been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ as it boasts European powerhouses the Netherlands, Germany and Portugal. The defensive work of Agger and Kjaer will have been particularly pleasing and will have given Olsen confidence that his side could also upset either Germany or Portugal and defy the odds by qualifying from Group B.

Bert van Marwijk, the Dutch manager, will be far less pleased as he watched his side slump to a 1-0 loss to a side they will consider inferior to themselves. This game will have been highlighted by coaches as a must win for the Netherlands and they will now face an uphill battle to qualify from the group as they take on one of the tournament favorites in Germany, and a skilful Portugal side led by the talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Stuart Pearce’s tenure as England manager started with a last gasp defeat after his side came back from 2-0 down in the dying minutes, only to be denied in the last minute by a deflected Arjen Robben effort. Two goals in two minutes from Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had given Holland a commanding lead, but late goals from Gary Cahill and Ashley Young seemed to have given England a draw. But straight from the kick-off, Robben curled the ball home via Cahill’s head to ensure Holland walked away with the victory.

It was an even start as both sides felt each other out early on, Arjen Robben causing the most problems for England, testing Joe Hart out and running at Micah Richards. England linked up well, Danny Welbeck dropping deep to aid play but Holland stood tall with De Jong and Van Bommel coming out on top in the midfield battle in the early stages.

New captain Scott Parker was making his presence felt, launching himself in front of two powerful shots which were goal bound. The game was majorly played in midfield in the first half an hour, and England had to make a change with Steven Gerrard being replaced by Daniel Sturridge. The Liverpool skipper had played 120 minutes on Sunday, and there was no need to take any risks on the midfielder.

England perhaps felt they had momentum as the first half came to a close, but Stekelenburg had nothing major to do in the Holland goal as the game reached the halfway point. James Milner replaced Gareth Barry at half-time, with Huntelaar and Schaars replacing Van Persie and Pieters for the away side.

Daniel Sturridge had been England’s brightest spark since coming on, and he forced Stekelenburg in to an early save in the second half, but the Roma number one got down well to push the shot away. But Holland weren’t playing the game lying down, England’s attacking football allowed space to open up for the visitors, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar went close with a rasping 20-yard effort as the game began to stretch.

And the open game played right in to Holland’s hands when Arjen Robben picked the ball up unmarked inside his own half, running to the edge of the England box and firing the ball low beyond a sprawling Joe Hart.

England were on the back foot and Holland pounced straight away, Dirk Kuyt’s pinpoint cross finding Huntelaar who made it 2-0. Attention turned to the aftermath of the goal as Chris Smalling and Huntelaar lay sprawled on the pitch, both bleeding badly after a clash of heads, Smalling was stretchered off and replaced by fellow United defender Phil Jones, whilst Huntelaar also had to be replaced after just fifteen minutes, Twente’s Luuk De Jong taking his place.

During the stoppage, Stewart Downing also entered the fray replacing Adam Johnson, and almost had an instant impact, volleying wide from inside the box. England seemed to have lost their way slightly, but Sturridge missed a glorious chance when Leighton Baines’ miss-hit reached the Chelsea striker. He only managed to scuff it in to the hands of Stekelenburg.

Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell came on for his senior debut with ten minutes to go, but the game was already beyond an England side struggling to cope with Holland’s counter attacks. It was time for some cheer when Gary Cahill of all people was put through, before turning inside and slotting the ball into the net to give the home crowd something to shout about. Replays showed the Chelsea defender may have been offside.

The goal rejuvenated England but Sturridge limped off after trying to get in the way of a Dirk Kuyt effort, Theo Walcott his replacement for the last couple of minutes. Four minutes of stoppage time proved enough time for England to grab an equaliser as Phil Jones found United team mate Ashley Young who dinked the ball beautifully over the onrushing Stekelenburg to level the scores in a dramatic turnaround.

The drama didn’t end there. In the 92nd minute Holland went straight up the other end, Emanuelson’s cross finally found its way through to Arjen Robben, the winger cutting inside and his shot took a crucial deflection off Cahill and Holland were once again in front in an enthralling match. The action ended there as Stuart Pearce’s first game ended in defeat, despite a valiant effort from the home side to come back from 2-0 down.

England: Hart, Richards, Cahill, Smalling (Jones 64), Baines, Gerrard (Sturridge 32 (Walcott 88)), Parker, Barry (Milner 46), Johnson (Downing 65), Welbeck (Campbell 80), Young. Subs: Green, Cole, Lescott, Carson.

Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz (Vlaar 82), Heitinga, Mathijsen, Pieters (Schaars 46), Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder (Emanuelson 76), Kuyt, van Persie (Huntelaar 46 (de Jong 64)). Subs: Krul, Strootman, Wijnaldum, Bruma, John, Narsingh.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

Attendance: 76,238

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