Holland made hard work of a gritty Slovakia side this afternoon as the Dutch advanced through to the Quarter Finals of the World Cup.
Slovakia were a surprise inclusion in this knockout stage after their victory over reigning champions Italy, and they played some decent football today but were unable to spring another surprise result.
Robben took the lead for Holland when his shot from distance crept into the corner of the net with eighteen minutes gone. Slovakia looked just as likely to equalize as Holland did to score another and in the second half Vittek missed two great chances to put Slovakia back in the game.
With just five minutes left on the clock Vittek was made to rue those chances when Kuyt beat the ‘keeper to a long ball and laid off Sneijder who passed into an empty net to kill the game off late on. In the dying seconds of the game Slovakia were given a penalty and Vittek converted with the last kick of the game.
A good win for Holland who now await the result of Brazil v Chile to find out who they will play in the next round.
