The powerhouse Netherlands squad, which has dominated every game it has played so far, was favored to defeat the upstart Russians, with their Dutch coach, Guus Hiddink.
The Russians are young and energetic, and certainly riding high after defeating Sweden 2–0. But the Netherlands team is undefeated in the tournament, having outscored their opponents 9–1.
While the Dutch goal-scoring ability is proven, the Dutch team's defense is a bit suspect. No team has yet been able to press on the Dutch defense because the offense controlled the ball. The question was whether the Dutch team's offensive precision could match the Russians' youth and speed.
Russia had the better scoring chances in the opening minutes, but neither team was able to maintain an advantage. Both teams appeared to be in top form, passing crisply and playing patiently. While Russia got a few hard shots on net, Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar handled them all. Russian keeper Igor Akinfeev, coming off an excellent performance against Sweden, was not seriously tested.
Russia seemed to gain a slight edge in possession around the twenty-minute mark. The Netherlands team couldn't clear easily, but managed to keep the Russia from setting up a shot. Russia kept the pressure on, finally getting a free kick, but Midfielder Konstantin Zyryanov couldn't convert.
The pace of the game was measured and controlled.
At 28 minutes Netherlands got a fantastic opportunity on a free kick. It was perfect shot, right across the crease, but two Dutch players—Nigel de Jongand and Ruud van Nistelrooy—failed to get a touch.
The Russians immediately counterattacked Arshavyn beat his man and stretched Dutch keeper van der Sar to the maximum to keep the ball out of the net. Then Denis Kolodin took a pair of blistering shots from thirty yards out, testing van der Sar both times.
The Dutch team, which had used offensive pressure to control all its prior games in the tournament, couldn't set up its passing game, and couldn't stop the Russians. The Dutch defense showed its worth, but the Dutch offense seemed not to have come to the stadium.
At forty minutes the Netherlands got another free kick and once again laid a perfect ball into the crease, which van Nistelrooy couldn't quite reach. Defense against set pieces was the only real defensive weakness the Russians had shown.
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