FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°60
Dennis Bergkamp grabbed a stunning, last gasp goal to clinch a dramatic 2-1 win for Holland over Argentina after both teams had a player sent off in Saturday’s quarter-final at the Stade Velodrome. Bergkamp struck in the 90th minute just minutes after Argentinian playmaker Ariel Ortega had been sent off for head-butting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. The Arsenal star latched onto a long ball from Frank de Boer before cutting inside the Argentinian defence and smashing a right foot shot into the roof of the net.
Moments later, the Stade Velodrome erupted in a riot of orange flags as the Dutch reached the World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1978 and Ortega was left rueing his rush of blood.
It was a sensational end to a game which appeared to have swung Argentina’s way when the Dutch, who face Brazil in the last four, lost full back Artur Numan 15 minutes from the end. The full back, who had been booked earlier for a foul on Gabriel Batistuta, was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence after clattering into Diego Simeone. Referee Autro Brizio Carter of Mexico wasted no time in bringing out the red card for the reckless challenge as Simeone was stetchered off in apparent agony-only to return to the action moments later. The incident had echoes of Argentina’s second round match against England who were reduced to 10 men when David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Simeone after a heavy challenge from the Argentinian.
The South Americans quickly found themselves back on level terms-in terms of men on the pitch-when Ortega appeared to dive in the area under a challenge from Jaap Stam. Mexican referee Arturo Brizio Carter was about to book the Argentinian for his theatrics when Ortega stood up and head-butted Van Der Sar who collapsed to the ground clutching his face.
Earlier, AC Milan star Kluivert, brought back to the side after hamstring victim Marc Overmars was left on the bench, gave Holland the lead in the 12th minute when he neatly rounded off a superb Dutch move. Ronald de Boer was the instigator, riding two challenges as he burst out of midfield before delivering a cross for Dennis Bergkamp on the left of the area. The Arsenal striker cleverly headed the ball back across the area for Kluivert who buried a low shot beyond Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
But within six minutes the South Americans were back on terms when Lopez sprung the Dutch off-side trap to race on to a through ball down the middle from Juan Veron. Edwin Van Der Sar raced off his line as the Valencia striker closed in, but Lopez kept his composure to slide the ball through the Dutch goalkeeper’s legs for the equaliser-his first goal at France 98.
Edgar Davids had two good chances to restore Holland’s lead as the early pace of the game slowed in the blistering Marseille heat. First, the Juventus midfielder blazed a fierce shot over the right angle after a superb run down the left and minutes later he went closer with a powerful 20-yard volley that Roa saved with his legs as he dived the wrong way. Wim Jonk almost gave the Dutch a sensational start after just five minutes when he hit the post with a powerful shot from just inside the area. The PSV Eindhoven star was completely unmarked when Cocu’s cross-cum-shot fell to him, and with a clear sight of goal, it seemed he must score only to see his effort rebound off the woodwork.
Argentina almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time when playmaker Ortega beat Van Der Sar from 30 yards only to see his brilliant effort cannon back off the post. The vast majority of the pressure in the second half came from Holland as Argentina began to show signs of fatigue after their two-hour epic against England. The Argentinians barely moved out of their half as Holland monopolised possession, but for all their domination the Dutch were unable to carve out a genuine chance on goal. And Argentina were inches away from scoring against the run of play when they finally broke into Dutch territory. Batistuta, so quiet for most of the game, turned Frank de Boer just outside the area before rifling a fierce left shot that crashed against the post.
The Dutch sent on Overmars for Ronald de Boer and the Arsenal winger made an immediate impact as he burst down the right and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Kluivert whose header was acrobatically tipped over by Roa. But Overmars’ introduction was quickly overshadowed by the two dismissals before Bergkamp settled an increasingly stormy encounter with his third goal in France 98.