The question for the Dutch entering today’s tilt with World Cup finalist France was whether or not they could replicate a superlative performance against World Cup winners Italy in game one of the competition. That they did.

The game transpired in similar contour as Monday’s game vs. the Azzurri. Despite the score-line, today’s game was tight in terms of possession (52/48) and shots on goal (9/9). But it was the ruthless goal-scoring prowess of the Dutch attack that set them apart… similar to Monday, 3 goals the superior through 90 minutes.

It was again the clinical counter-attack off of which the Dutch found the majority of their goals. In the best single play of the tournament so far (and unlikely to be beaten), was the dazzling counter-attack executed for Holland’s second goal by Robin van Persie. After a sensational pull-through move by van Nistelrooy to send substitute Robben down the wing, the Real Madrid winger sought out fellow substitute van Persie who picked the ball out of the air for the side-foot finish. After a cheeky soft-touch finish from Henry which seemingly gave the French new life, it took Robben roughly 20 seconds to regain the 2 goal lead for his country with a top-shelf finish from a near-impossible angle.

The Dutch weren’t as convincing on the run of play as they were Monday. After the early Kuyt marker, Holland sat back, banking on Van der Saar and pure luck to escape the first half unscathed. However, they remained just as imaginative up front, delivering the finish the French simply couldn’t replicate at the other end of the pitch.

The question that persisted throughout the lead-up to the tournament asked whether or not manager van Basten - with the likes of Robben, Van der Vaart, Van Nistelrooy, Sniejder, and Van Persie - had the know-how to turn the raw Dutch talent into a fine-oiled machine. Van Basten has answered the pre-tournament critics in quick time - today winning a massive tactical victory over experienced French manager Raymond Domenech. Both substitutes in Van Persie and Robben were major contributors in the second half while Domenech’s substitutes failed to spice up the side. Substituting Engelaar, a defensively-minded player, for a more offensive contributor in Robben seemed somewhat inexplicable at the time, but proved to be a stroke of genius. Van Persie has made a serious case for a starter’s role come the Romania match, but seems very effective when coming off the bench in the later stages. As the old adage goes, when it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

As for the French, the opportunities came in spades but there remains a French finishing famine. Ribery in a more central role seemed to be a positive move from Domenech as he was more visible today. Domenech probably wishes David Trezeguet was on his bench at the moment. The options are aplenty up front for Les Bleus, but only Henry is producing at the moment. A shake-up in the strike force is necessary before the all-important Italy match-up.

With the result of the Romania - Italy game, the second seed is hanging in balance come the final game of the group stages. Your guess is as good as mine, but I’ve got a feeling Romania finds a way through with Holland already assuring their place in the quarter-finals as the number one seed of the titillating Group C.

abrownscombe@mac.com

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