As ever, the Dutch are spreading discord; opponents are falling over each other to praise them the loudest. Slovakia became the latest nation to be left hollow-eyed and in awe yesterday, with Vladimir Weiss acclaiming the returning Arjen Robben as “a genius.” There was no act of giant-killing, no ignominious departure, no surprise, no shock. Not here.
Holland shook off the attentions of Italy’s conquerors to reserve themselves a berth in the World Cup quarter-finals with a performance of control and solidity. The victory was their eighth in succession and their 23rd match without defeat, and while they did not approach perfection, they are continuing to evolve and improve.
Robben’s first start of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury offers them a fresh dimension, which they will require against Brazil in Port Elizabeth on Friday. The 26-year-old scored Holland’s opening goal, treating a superb fizzing pass from Wesley Sneijder with the respect it deserved.
Holland’s dominance was overwhelming; Robert Vittek gave Slovakia a late consolation, but not hope. The striker’s penalty, awarded when Maarten Stekelenburg fouled Martin Jakubko, became the final kick of a curiously undramatic game.
More will come from Robben. “I know I am not yet at my top level,” he said.
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His coach concurred. “He was decisive for us but he is not the man he used to be,” Bert van Marwijk added.
Until his substitution, Robben’s influence was considerable. After 50 minutes, he picked up a loose clearance and darted inside, bringing a remarkable save from Jan Mucha. From the corner that followed, he squared a delightful ball for Joris Mathijsen, whose quickfire shot caught Mucha square in the face.
Aside from an early chance for Erik Jendrisek that flew above the crossbar and a flurry of pressure in the second half — Stekelenburg repelled both Miroslav Stoch and Vittek — Slovakia embraced anonymity. With a little more care and a touch more adventure, Holland could have mustered an unassailable advantage. In the seventh minute, Robin van Persie met a cross from Dirk Kuyt with a downward header that glanced off Martin Skrtel and, from that moment forward, Slovakia struggled to make use of the ball.
In spite of the denouement, Holland’s progression was assured in the 84th minute when, from a long free kick down the left, Mucha tore recklessly from his area and missed the ball, allowing Kuyt to nod it around him and towards goal, setting up Sneijder for a solid finish.
“We have done our jobs,” Robben said. “In the past, people have said the Dutch play nice football but never win.This game was not the best, but it was efficient.”
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Van Persie’s replacement by Klaas Jan Huntelaar provided the only jarring moment, with the Arsenal striker making his displeasure apparent to Van Marwijk. “I was annoyed because I wanted a goal for my confidence,” Van Persie explained.
Otherwise, “typical Holland” is starting to assume a different meaning.
Holland (4-2-3-1): M Stekelenburg — G van der Wiel, J Heitinga, J Mathijsen, G van Bronckhorst — M van Bommel, N de Jong — A Robben (sub: E Elia, 71min), W Sneijder (sub: I Afellay, 90), D Kuyt — R van Persie (sub: K J Huntelaar, 80). Substitutes not used: K Boulahrouz, A Ooijer, D de Zeeuw, D Braafheid, M Vorm, S Schaars, R Babel, S Boschker, R van der Vaart. Booked: Robben, Stekelenburg.
Slovakia (4-3-1-2): J Mucha — P Pekarik, M Skrtel, J Durica, R Zabavnik (sub: M Jakubko, 87) — V Weiss, J Kucka, M Stoch — M Hamsik (sub: M Sapara, 87) — E Jendrisek (sub: K Kopunek, 72), R Vittek. Substitutes not used: M Cech, J Kozak, S Sestak, D Pernis, F Holosko, K Salata, M Petras, D Kuciak. Booked: Kucka, Kopunek, Skrtel.
Referee: A Undiano Mallenco (Spain). Attendance: 61,962.