Guus Hiddink came out on top against the country of his birth as Russia secured a 3-1 victory over Holland to book their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2008.
It took extra-time to get there, but goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko, Dimitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin ensured that a Ruud van Nistelrooy strike proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The Russians looked fired up from the off and edged a cagey first-half as Holland struggled to rekindle the free-flowing, attacking panache which had illuminated their group outings.
Hiddink's side peppered Edwin van der Sar's goal with dangerous long-range efforts throughout the opening period, while Van Nistelrooy spurned a couple of half-chances at the opposite end of the field.
Then, on 56 minutes, Russia finally broke the Dutch resistance as Sergei Semak swung over a cross from the left and Roman Pavlyuchenko crashed home a crisp volley.
That appeared to be enough to send Hiddink's men through, but Van Nistelrooy's 86 minute header forced extra-time.
Russia continued to look like the more likely victors, though, and it came as no surprise when Torbinski bundled home an Arshavin cross with just eight minutes left on the clock.
With the Dutch desperately seeking a second route back into the game their dreams were finally crushed four minutes later when the impressive Arshavin squeezed a low effort through van der Sar's, with the aid of a deflection from Johnny Heitinga.
Hiddink believed his side were dominant in every department of the match and was delighted to see Russia rise to the challenge.
"I challenged the guys. Physically, tactically and technically we were better than the Dutch".
That lad Arshavin certainly lived up to his potential here,what a game,who could say it was this Dutch team who trashed Italy and France?
Pavlyuchenko's performance was also very impressive,focus shifts to Spain vs Italy now where I'm putting my weight behind the Spaniards knowing the Azzuri have scraped there way here.Turkey and Russia have surprised everyone here,even though Germany is ever present and Spain (or Italy) are favourites,I'm bracing myself for the comeback kings or Hiddink's boys to make it all the way.
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3 months ago
Talk about an upset! Salaar even we didn't see this coming!
from 3 months ago
Yes Ben,We knew the Russians had a couple of good players like that Arshavin and a coach like Hiddink who can say 'no' to Chelsea but defeating the Dutch...I don't think anybody saw it coming...everybody had their money on the Dutch..
from 3 months ago
I must admit, I like my Germans now to win the title!
3 months ago
Hopefully Italy too can upset Spain :)
3 months ago
Spain never win anything. Italy is an easy favourite. Media hype has a Spanish as something just like that Cristiano wanna be a Ronaldo loser.
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