Holland put on a splendid show to outclass world champions Italy 3-0 in EURO 2008 Group C action on Monday. Marco van Basten's men went to the lockers room two up, thanks to goals from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder. Impressive full-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst completed the rout 11 minutes from time. The result put Holland on top of their group with three points, two ahead of France and Romania, who played out a goalless draw earlier in the day. Holland's Dominance Italy had a promising start to the game but their domination lasted for a few minutes. Luca Toni came close to putting the Azzurri ahead after 12 minutes when he was picked out by Gennaro Gattuso's right-wing cross but his header went across goal. Holland then outplayed Italy in every aspect of the game. They were largely helped by a shaky display from Italy's defensive duo Marco Materazzi and Andrea Barzagli. Van Nistelrooy should have put Holland in front in the 18th minute when he was released clear on goal by Dirk Kuyt's deft pass. The Real Madrid man sidestepped Gianluigi Buffon but a slight contact with the Juventus keeper delayed his decision to shoot goalwards. He eventually provided a cross that was cleared by Italy defenders. Holland's pressure paid off in the 26th minute, but in a controversial fashion. Buffon poorly pushed Rafael van der Vaart's free-kick, allowing left-back Van Bronckhorst to send a low shot that was diverted into the net by Van Nistelrooy. However, Van Nistelrooy was seemingly in an offside position when he converted the ball from close range.
Sneijder doubled the lead just five minutes later after rounding off a neatly-worked counter attack. Van Bronckhorst raced down the left flank before crossing for Kuyt at the far post. The Liverpool forward brilliantly headed the ball into the path of the unmarked Sneijder, who volleyed home past Buffon. Van Nistelrooy almost compounded Italy's misery two minutes before the break after capitalizing on some sloppy defending. The prolific striker latched onto Van der Vaart's superb through pass, which evaded Materazzi, to go one-on-one but his effort was blocked by Buffon. Ineffective Substitutions Italy coach Roberto Donadoni introduced Antonio Cassano and Alessandro Del Piero in a bid to revive the team's attacking options. But the substitutions were to no avail, probably because he opted to take off frontmen Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi instead of replacing one of his midfielders. He also tried to reconstruct his side's terrible defense by introducing Fabio Grosso instead of Materazzi. Italy should have narrowed the gap in the 76th minute when Toni caught Holland defenders napping to control Cassano's superb long ball inside the area. He turned and tried to loft the ball over the keeper but his left-footed effort went high over. Holland ensured it would be a night to remember after notching the third goal in the 79th minute. From another counter attack, Kuyt went clear but his chip was blocked by Buffon. He gathered the ball again and crossed for Van Bronckhorst, who headed home.
