Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
A comical own goal set the Netherlands on their way to victory in the opening game in Group E as the tournament's dark horses beat Denmark 2-0 at Soccer City.
Denmark had matched their European rivals for the first half of a game that had struggled to ignite the imagination in Johannesburg.
But less than a minute into the second period and the Danes orchestrated their own demise as Simon Poulsen's attempted clearance hit the back of team-mate Daniel Agger to gift the Dutch the lead.
It was an advantage that Holland were never in danger of relinquishing and the points were made safe in the closing five minutes when Dirk Kuyt reacted the quickest to tap home after substitute Eljero Elia's shot had struck the post.
A comical own goal set the Netherlands on their way to victory in the opening game in Group E as the tournament's dark horses beat Denmark 2-0 at Soccer City.
Denmark had matched their European rivals for the first half of a game that had struggled to ignite the imagination in Johannesburg.
But less than a minute into the second period and the Danes orchestrated their own demise as Simon Poulsen's attempted clearance hit the back of team-mate Daniel Agger to gift the Dutch the lead.
It was an advantage that Holland were never in danger of relinquishing and the points were made safe in the closing five minutes when Dirk Kuyt reacted the quickest to tap home after substitute Eljero Elia's shot had struck the post.
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