Extra-time goals lift Russia into semifinals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-22 10:15

BASEL  -- Substitute Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin scored late in extra time to give Russia a deserved 3-1 win over Netherlands and a semifinal berth at the 2008 European Championships on Saturday.

With two sides tying 1-1 after 90 minutes, Torbinski touched inan Arshavin pass 22 minutes into extra time and the talisman added a fourth himself four minutes later to leave Marco Van Basten's Oranje weeping.


Russian players celebrate the second goal in the quarterfinal against the Netherlands at the Euro 2008 Championships in Basel, Switzerland, on June 21, 2008. [Xinhua]

Guss Hiddink had made history by guiding the Russians to their first major tournament appearance in the knockout stages since competing solely as Russia in 1991 and now his men went even further into the last four.

Holland, high flying in group stage with one hundred percent record including stylish wins over Italy and France, lacked the sparks with which they had earned the fans heart from around the world while the Russians showed more determination and penetrationin a pretty much open game.

After both teams squandering dozens of opportunities, Roman Pavlyuchenko opened scoring for Russia in the 56th minute as the forward continued his superb form with a third goal in the tournament.

Sergei Semak burst down the left and delivered a neat cross which Pavlyuchenko steered into the near post with Edwin van de Sar well beaten.

Russia's Andrei Arshavin (R) scores past Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin van Der Sar (L) and John Heitinga during their Euro 2008 quarter-final soccer match at St Jakob Park stadium in Basel, June 21, 2008. [Agencies]

While the pretty open game looked sure to end in the Dutch's disappointment in 90 minutes, Rudd van Nisterolley came to rescue with four minutes remaining.

The Real Madrid striker headed in an unbelievable free-kick from Wesley Sneijder to send the game into extra time.

But Russians kept on the pressure and Arshavin held off the challenge from Andre Ooijer before clipping over a wonderful cross from the left which was tapped in by Torbinski, replacing Ivan Saenko in the 81st minute.

Arshavin then gave another dazzling performance as he turned and shot low into the corner after receiving a throw-in.

His effort took a deflection of Andre Ooijer before going through Edwin van der Sar's legs.

Both teams came out attacking but Hiddink's men seemed to settle down first with Yuri Zhirkov's free kick and forward Roman Pavlyuchenko's header both threatening a goal in opening minutes.

Russia's Den Kolodin tested the nerves of van de Sar by two consecutive spectacular long range drives from about 30 metres away.

Netherlands missed probably the best chance of the first half in the 29th minute when Rafael van der Vaart's calculated free kick whistled into the box.

With Ruud van Nistelrooy at the far post ready to tap in, the ball instead went past his outstretched foot and straight behind for a goal-kick.

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