Six of the best for Holland

Mihajlovic is a spectator as Kluivert scores his second

Holland 6-1 Yugoslavia
(Rotterdam - Att: 50,000)

Patrick Kluivert hit an amazing hat-trick as Holland thrashed Yugoslavia 6-1 in their Euro 2000 quarter-final in Rotterdam.

And Kluivert almost became the first man to score four goals in a European Championship Finals.

He was initially credited with four goals but Uefa later confirmed his third strike was an own goal by Dejan Govedarica.

Overmars hit a brace in the latter stages of the match and Milosevic scored a consolation goal for the dispirited Yugoslavs in the final minute.

Yugoslavia simply had no answer to Holland's incisive attacking power as the rampant Dutch qualified for a semi-final against Italy in style.

Intelligent run

Kluivert's first came after 24 minutes as he made an intelligent run into the Yugoslav box to latch onto Bergkamp's defence-splitting pass.

Goalkeeper Kralj tried to clear the danger with his feet but the Barcelona striker beat him to the 50-50 ball.

He hit his second in the 38th minute, with Davids taking his turn to supply a pinpoint pass into the area which he side-footed home.

Davids takes on Govedarica

After 51 minutes, Kluivert and Govedarica both went for the ball with the Yugoslav getting the last touch as the ball flew into the back of the net.

But Kluivert's hat-trick came three minutes later when he volleyed home after some good work by Zenden down the left flank.

The hat-trick hero left the pitch after taking a whack in the face, but by then he had sealed Yugoslavia's fate.

Early exchanges

Playing in their first European Championship quarter-final since 1976, Yugoslavia were equal to Holland in the early exchanges but the co-hosts gradually took control of the game.

The first real attack of the match ended with a fierce shot from Bergjkamp cannoning off Mihajlovic in the Yugoslav defence.

Savelijic takes on Bergkamp

Van der Sar got a crucial touch on Mihajlovic's 10th minute corner, and the Dutch keeper saved again five minutes later as Milosevic slipped past De Boer to set up Mijatovic.

Holland counter-attacked immediately, with Bergkamp forcing a good save from Krajl after cutting in from the left.

The Yugoslavs were soon powerless in the face of wave after wave of Dutch attacks, with Numan and Zenden going close.

Van der Sar had to get down well to a 31st minute free kick from Mihajlovic, but Holland were rarely troubled as the first half wore on.

Domination

The Dutch domination continued after the break, with Kluivert doing serious damage before bowing out.

The second half was virtually an exhibition as Yugoslav morale hit rock bottom in the face of Holland's relentless pressure.

Overmars received a telling Bergkamp pass on Yugoslavia's 18-yard line 13 minutes from time and set up a sweetly struck half-volley for goal number five.

He was in the right place to slot home his second on 90 minutes as Cocu's shot from 20 yards came straight to him after hitting the post.

Milosevic scored his fifth of the tournament after Mijatovic's looping shot came back off Holland's crossbar, but it was scant consolation for the Yugoslavs.

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Holland:van der Sar (Westerveld 65), Numan, Stam, F. de Boer, Bosvelt, Cocu, Davids, Zenden (R. de Boer 79), Overmars, Bergkamp, Kluivert (Makaay 59).

Yugoslavia: Kralj, Komljenovic, Djukic, Mihajlovic, Saveljic (J. Stankovic 56), Stojkovic (D. Stankovic 52), Govedarica, Jugovic, Drulovic (Kovacevic 70), Mijatovic, Milosevic.

Referee: J M Garcia Aranda (Spain)