It was a magnificent start for Netherlands in the group match. The Dutch waited for 30 years to win over Italy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy send Netherlands ahead in the 26 minutes. He was actually offside but referee and the lineman did not put the flag up. Wesley Sneijder score the second goal just 5 minutes after that. And Giovanni van Bronckhorst score with the header on the 79 minutes to secure the Netherlands win.

Edwin Van der Sar denied few attempts from the Italy side. He did a good job to keep his clean sheet and secure the win.

It was a disappointing start for Italy, the world champion. Italy will struggle in the death group without a point while Romania and France each have a point.