BBC News | Football | Bergkamp stays calm in the storm

BBC News Online: Sport: Football

Saturday, July 4, 1998 Published at 21:59 GMT 22:59 UK

Bergkamp stays calm in the storm

Bergkamp stays calm in the storm
Full-time: Argentina 1-2 Netherlands

An 88th minute goal from Dennis Bergkamp proved the difference between the sides in a game that saw both Argentina and the Netherlands end the match with 10 men.

Bergkamp scored the winner with only minutes to go until the final whistle. He controlled a 50-yard pass with one touch, cut inside the defender with his second before hammering the ball into the Argentinian net for the winner.

The goal came moments after Argentine playmaker Ariel Ortega was sent off for headbutting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar after Ortega claimed he had been tripped in the penalty area by defender Jaap Stam.

The Dutch now play champions Brazil on Tuesday in Marseille.

Both sides hit the post in the first half -- Wim Jonk for the Dutch after just five minutes and Ortega for Argentina just before the break.

But in between, both scored excellent goals.

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Ronald De Boer began a sweet Dutch move from deep in his own half, slipping past three defenders as he drove towards goal. He picked out Dennis Bergkamp on the left of the area and the striker cushioned a header into the path of Patrick Kluivert who coolly slotted the ball past Carlos Roa.

Argentina equalised six minutes later when Lopez timed his run to perfection to spring the offside trap and latch on to Juan Veron's pass. He delayed his shot before poking the ball through the legs of Edwin Van Der Sar.

The Dutch continued to fashion nice openings, build on their increasing domination of midfield, while Lopez and Ortega were a constant threat buzzing around the area.

After a first half that produced two goals, two shots against the woodwork and numerous chances, the second was a more cautious affair as the taxing heat took its toll.

The Netherlands spent the opening 20 minutes in the Argentine half but despite endless possession could not find the final pass to get through.

On Argentina's first foray forward, 20 minutes after the break, the hugely impressive Veron released Batistuta who cut inside and smashed a shot against the inside of the post with Van Der Sar rooted to the spot.

The Dutch brought on winger Marc Overmars in the 64th minute and he immediately provided a great cross from the right, only for the athletic Roa to tip over Kluivert's header at full stretch.

But they suffered a blow in the 76th minute when Numan was sent off for his second bookable offence -- a late tackle on Simeone.

Argentina, who were unable to score against England when they had a man advantage for more than an hour in the second round, immediately took the initiative. But then Ortega saw the red card after theatrically throwing himself down in the area and then lashing out at the Dutch goalkeeper.

Teams

Argentina: Carlos Roa; Javier Zanetti; Roberto Ayala; Nestor Sensini; Jose Chamot; Diego Simeone (captain); Matias Almeyda; Juan Veron; Ariel Ortega; Gabriel Batistuta; Claudio Lopez.

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar; Michael Reiziger; Jaap Stam; Frank de Boer (captain); Arthur Numan; Ronald de Boer; Wim Jonk; Edgar Davids; Phillip Cocu; Dennis Bergkamp; Patrick Kluivert

Referee: Arturo Brizio (Mexico)

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