'Torsten Frings opened the scoring for Germany with a 30th-minute free kick and the Dutch rarely threatened an equaliser before Van Nistelrooy turned sharply to hook in a right-wing cross from close range.
The Dutch created the first chance after only two minutes when skipper Philip Cocu lobbed the German defence but the ball was just beyond the reach of Van Nistelrooy who failed to connect. Apart from that the Dutch had very few chances of note, largely because German coach Rudi Voeller won the tactical battle against his Dutch rival Dick Advocaat.
The Netherlands played with Van Nistelrooy as a lone striker as expected, but he was isolated time and again and surrounded at times by up to five German defenders.'