Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin struck in
the last eight minutes of extra time to take Russia into the UEFA EURO
2008™ semi-finals at the expense of the Netherlands as Guus Hiddink
eliminated the nation of his birth.

Russia dominance
From
the off, Russia never allowed Marco van Basten’s previously imperious
side space and they attacked with vigour. Roman Pavlyuchenko’s
56th-minute volley seemed to have won the game but with four minutes
remaining Ruud van Nistelrooy headed an equaliser. However, Russia
dominated the additional half-hour and the tireless Arshavin set up
substitute Torbinski to restore the advantage from close range in the
112th minute. The No10 added another himself to
book a semi-final against Spain or Italy in Vienna on Thursday,
although Torbinski and Denis Kolodin will miss that match through
suspension.

Robben ruled out
Having rested
most of his first-choice lineup in Tuesday’s win against Romania, Van
Basten returned to the selection that started the impressive defeats of
Italy and France, Arjen Robben’s hopes scuppered by continuing groin
problems. It was Russia, beginning as positively as Hiddink had
promised, who had the first chance when Yuri Zhirkov’s free-kick forced
Edwin van der Sar into a diving save and Igor Semshov then crossed from
the right for Pavlyuchenko to head over. Russia’s outnumbered fans made
most of the early noise as the Netherlands took time to get to grips
with their opponents’ pressing game, although Van Nistelrooy did nearly
get a decisive touch on Rafael van der Vaart’s free-kick.

Kolodin denied
Suddenly
the Netherlands started to produce the flowing football that lit up
their group games in Berne, and their supporters responded accordingly.
But if many Dutch players were fresh after sitting out the Romania
match, Arshavin was also relatively rested having been suspended for
the first two games and from a solo run he forced Van der Sar to save.
The goalkeeper then tipped over Kolodin’s ferocious shot before the
Netherlands attacked again at the other end as Khalid Boulahrouz, whose
late baby daughter was remembered by his team-mates’ black armbands,
sent Van Nistelrooy through for an effort that Igor Akinfeev blocked.

Pavlyuchenko finish
Russia looked
sharper as the second half got under way, Arshavin nearly scoring with
a swerving free-kick, and a minute later Sergei Semak sent in a cross
from the left that Pavlyuchenko gleefully turned in. Russia were
allowing the Netherlands little of the ball and attacking at pace, Van
der Sar using instinct and one hand to keep out an Aleksandr Anyukov
strike. The goalkeeper also saved when Pavlyuchenko was put through
while Torbinski was unfortunate not to turn the ball in soon after. It
seemed the Oranje’s campaign was over but with four minutes left Wesley
Sneijder curled in a free-kick for Van Nistelrooy to head in and force
an extra half-hour.

Extra-time decisive
However
Russia were unbowed, Semshov forcing a diving stop from Van der Sar
while Arshavin blazed over and Pavlyuchenko’s dipping shot was only
kept out by the crossbar. Arshavin then burst through and crossed for
Torbinski, only for Van der Sar to block again. The second extra period
continued in the same vein, Pavlyuchenko just failing to turn in
Arshavin’s cross but finally the breakthrough came when the FC Zenit
St. Petersburg playmaker delivered another looping centre for Torbinski
to volley in. Four minutes later Arshavin sealed a semi-final place
with the goal his play deserved as his shot deflected in off John
Heitinga, confirming that the Netherlands would follow fellow group
winners Portugal and Croatia home.