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Bergkamp scored the decisive goal in the Netherlands' quarterfinal win over Argentina in 1998. Ben Radford/Allsport |
The Netherlands may have failed to qualify for the 2002 finals, but Bergkamp's unwillingness to step onto a plane, ever since a bomb scare aboard a Dutch squad flight during USA 1994, meant the Arsenal striker was never likely to have put in an appearance in the Far East.
Bergkamp single-handedly sculpted one of the great moments in World Cup history to help the Dutch reach the semifinals at France '98. Tied at 1-1 against Argentina and with injury time looming, Bergkamp ran onto a 60-yard pass from Frank de Boer, brought the ball under control, wrong footed the Argentine defense and slotted it home without breaking stride.
It was a World Cup wonder goal, but in the semifinals the Dutch lost out to Brazil on penalties, although Bergkamp's three goals for the tournament were enough to make him the Netherlands' leading all-time goalscorer.
Four years earlier the Brazilians had ended another promising Dutch World Cup campaign at the quarterfinals stage. In that competition, Bergkamp chipped in with important goals against Morocco to help the Dutch win their first-round group and in their second round win over Ireland. His goal also sparked a brave Dutch fightback to 2-2 in the quarterfinal before Branco's freekick won it for the Brazilians.
