France's Nicolas Anelka (L) is tackled by two Dutch players during the Euro 2008 Group C football match on June 13, 2008 in Bern, Switzerland. The Netherlands won the match 4-1.(Xinhua Photo)
World champions Italy and the 2006 runners-up France have both come to the verge of being eliminated from the European Championship, as the Azzurri were held 1-1 by Romania in a thrilling battle and a classy 4-1 victory on Friday over France sent the Netherlands into the last eight ahead of the final matches in Group C.
Marco van Basten's side, who beat Italy in their opening match on Monday, now have ensured the top finish in the well-received Group of Death after moving clear with six points, while Romania trailed on two from as many games. Italy and France, each have one point and one score against four goals conceded.
France's Nicolas Anelka (C) breaks through during the Euro 2008 Group C football match against the Netherlands on June 13, 2008 in Bern, Switzerland. The Netherlands won the match 4-1. (Xinhua Photo)
The second place reserved for Group C members in the last eight will wait for the occupier regarding the results of Tuesday's last round group matches in Zurich and Bern, where Italy pick France and Romania face the Dutch, and a victory for the Romanians will force both the world champions and runners-up packing home.
In Friday's encounter, the Oranje continued their superb form and dominated the first 30 minutes of the first half as Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring at the 9th minute when he headed in a corner from close range.
Robin van Persie, who came onto the pitch in the second half, made it 2-0 for the Netherlands when he picked up a Arjen Robben's crossfield pass and beat the French goalie Gregory Coupet with a fierce shot, before the assist maker blasted the third in at the 72nd mark and Wesley Sneijder rounded off the night with the fourth in injury time.
Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta (L) heads for the ball with Romania's Nicolae Dica during the Euro 2008 Group C football match on June 13, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland. The match ended in 1-1. (Xinhua Photo)
The French team only managed a consolation goal through Thierry Henry at the 71st minute.
"We created some chances but the Dutch took theirs beautifully. We played quite well ... now we have to beat Italy and hope Romania don't beat the Dutch," said Henry.
Compared with the one-sided story between Holland and France, the Italy and Romania match went on a dramatic way as the Azzurri complained about the perfectly valid Luca Toni goal ruled out and a debatable penalty awarded to Romania but Romania boss Victor Piturca insisted the Italians lucky to tie 1-1.
A superb save by Gianluigi Buffon, against Adriano Mutu's penalty with nine minutes remaining, has kept Italy's hope alive to advance in the European Championship.
Romania's goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont (above) saves the ball during the Euro 2008 Group C football match against Italy on June 13, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland. The match ended in 1-1. (Xinhua Photo)
Striker Mutu put Romania ahead 10 minutes into the second half when he punched on a loose ball from Gianluca Zambrotta's poor back header. But Italy leveled almost immediately as Christian Panucci prodded the ball over the line following a Giorgio Chiellini header.
The world champions, heading into Friday's match with desperate desire for a victory, had been denied an earlier goal by striker Luca Toni, whose volley before the interval was controversially ruled offside.
After the disaster 3-0 loss to the Dutch on Monday, another harvestless game would have bowed them out.
"It's too bad that after playing a good game, in which we were superior to Romania, we did not manage to get the 3 points," said Donadoni, who declined to comment on referee but adding that "I'll just say he didn't have his best day."
(Xinhua News Agency June 14,2008)