CNN/SI - - World Cup Soccer Recap (Netherlands-Argentina)

World Cup Soccer Recap (Netherlands-Argentina)

Posted: Sat July 4, 1998 at 6:15 p.m. EDT

NETHERLANDS 2, ARGENTINA 1

Forward Dennis Bergkamp scored in the 90th minute to give the Netherlands a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Argentina in the World Cup in Marseille, France, setting up what promises to be a classic semifinal against defending champion Brazil.

The winning goal came after Argentina (4-1) missed an opportunity of its own. The Netherlands (3-0-2) quickly advanced the ball and Bergkamp received a long pass from Frank de Boer in the midfield area. He stopped the ball with a dribble, turning around defender Roberto Ayala in the penalty area, before placing a shot high to the far post past diving goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

"It was a match full of emotions," said Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink. "Our players performed very well and were dangerous throughout the match. We will celebrate this victory and then will prepare for the confrontation with Brazil. With certainty it will be an interesting final."

It was Bergkamp's third goal of the tournament and 36th of his career, most in international play among Dutchmen. The Dutch avenged their only loss in five all-time matches with Argentina -- a 3-1 overtime defeat in the 1978 final, when Argentina hosted the World Cup.

The match lived up to its expectations in excitement, despite what appeared to be biased officiating toward Argentina by Mexican referee Arturo Carter Brizio. The official seemed to give just about every close call to Argentina and also issued a questionable red card for physical contact to Dutch defender Arthur Numan in the 77th minute. Numan already had received a yellow card in the 17th minute. He fouled Diego Simeone for what the referee decided was a second yellow, subsequently eliminating him.

Brizio then appeared to make up for the call by eliminating Argentine playmaker Ariel Ortega, who head-butted Netherlands keeper Edwin Van Der Sar in the 88th minute. Ortega faked a dive in the penalty area and Brizio was ready to issue a yellow card when Ortega hit the goalkeeper in the face with his head.

Patrick Kluivert, starting for injured Marc Overmars, scored his first goal of the World Cup in the 12th minute on a beautiful header assist from Bergkamp, prolonging an initial pass from Ronald De Boer.

It took just six minutes for Argentina to equalize when forward Claudio Lopez took a borderline offside pass from Juan Veron, advanced uncontested toward the box before faking the keeper and sending the ball between his legs.

Dutchman Wim Jonk had the first serious scoring chance in the fifth minute but his clear-path shot hit the near goalpost. In the 30th minute, Kluivert set up Edgar Davids for a one-time blast from 25 yards which was punched away by Roa.

Ortega had the best scoring opportunity for Argentina in the 38th minute when his long-range shot hit the left post. One minute into stoppage time, Gabriel Batistuta set up Simeone for a good shot which was placed just wide of the right post.

The Dutch were very patient at the start of the second half and continued to attack. However, Batistuta had the most dangerous shot -- his first of the match -- in the 64th minute and hit the inside of the left post.

The Dutch outshot the Argentines, 18-9, including 9-5 on goal. They also produced seven corner kicks to Argentina's four.

Two-time champion Argentina exits its 12th World Cup appearance with an overall record of 29-18-10 and a goal differential of 101-68.

"In the second half it was quite obvious the match against England took a lot out of my players' strength," said Argentina coach Daniel Pasarella. "Overall, I can say we played very well in this World Cup against the big soccer nations."

In addition to the red cards, Brizio issued yellow cards to Jaap Stam of the Netherlands and Jose Chamot and Roberto Sensini of Argentina.

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