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Holland v Latvia - MATCH SUMMARY

Van Nistelrooy's double Dutch delight

Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko (R) misses the penalty goal of Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (L), 23 June at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO
Latvian goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko (R) misses the penalty goal of Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (L), 23 June at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between The Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO
Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij jubilates aftre his first goal, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between the Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF
Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij jubilates aftre his first goal, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between the Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF

Ruud van Nistelrooy inspired the Netherlands to a 3-0 victory over Latvia on Wednesday, a result that sealed the 1988 European champions a quarter-final date against Sweden.

Holland needed the Czech Republic to get at least a point from the Germans in the other match and there was a huge roar from the orange-bedecked stands whenever they got wind of a Czech goal down in Lisbon - the match ending with a 2-1 victory for the Czechs.

The Dutch took up residence in Latvian territory for virtually the entire game, their domination rewarded with a first half double from van Nistelrooy, who joins England's Wayne Rooney as the competition's leading scorer with four goals.

Latvia's captain Vitalijs Astafjevs was responsible for the penalty decision which led to the first after he brought down Edgar Davids in the 27th minute.

Van Nistelrooy drove the spot kick low into the right hand corner while Aleksandrs Kolinko went left.

Dutch forward Roy Makaay jubilates after his goal, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between the Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF
Dutch forward Roy Makaay jubilates after his goal, 23 June 2004 at Braga's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match between the Netherlands and Latvia at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF

His second was a simple nod in from a set piece after 35 minutes.

The Latvians started the second half promisingly, with Andrejs Rubins forcing van der Sar into action with a 15m shot, and Valentins Lobanovs had a shot graze the post.

Advocaat brought on Marc Overmars for Andy van der Meyde on the hour and Roy Makaay for van Nistelrooy ten minutes later and the Bayern Munich attacker quickly made his mark, adding a third goal after being fed the ball by Robbens.

The Dutch reward is a last eight date with Group C winners Sweden in Faro on Saturday while the Latvians head home having made a bigger than expected impact in their first appearance at this level having dealt an almost fatal blow to the Germans in their 0-0 draw last Saturday.