Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MARSEILLE, July 4: Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp scored the most important goal of his career with seconds remaining in a World Cup quarter-final to seal a controversial 2-1 victory over Argentina today.
The goal came moments after Argentine playmaker Ariel Ortega was sent off for head-butting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the area after Ortega claimed he had been tripped by Jaap Stam and deserved a penalty.
The Dutch now play champions Brazil on Tuesday in Marseille. It is the third semi-final for the Dutch who were beaten 3-1 by Argentina in the 1978 World Cup final. Brazil beat the Dutch in the 1994 quarter-finals 3-2.
The Dutch were already down to 10 men after Arthur Numan was sent off in the 76th minute for tripping Diego Simeone, his second yellow card offence. But they were inspired by Ortega’s dismissal and pushed for a late goal.
Bergkamp latched on to captain Frank de Boer’s long ball from the left, controlled it beautifully on his right foot, and then turned inside full backRoberto Ayala to drive the ball past goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
“It’s wonderful — it was a great pass from Frank (de Boer),” Bergkamp said adding it was the most important goal of his career. “There was everything in the match. The moment for us was when Ortega went off which gave us great energy.”
Both sides hit the post in the first half Wim Jonk for the Dutch after just five minutes and Ortega for Argentina just before the break.But in between, both scored excellent goals. In the 12th minute Ronald de Boer began a sweet Dutch move from deep in his own half, slipping past three defenders as he drove towards goal.
He picked out Dennis Bergkamp on the left of the area and the striker cushioned a header into the path of Kluivert who coolly slotted the ball past Carlos Roa.
Argentina equalised six minutes later when Lopez timed his run to perfection to spring the offside trap and latch on to Juan Veron’s pass. He delayed his shot before poking the ball through the legs of Edwin van der Sar. The Dutchcontinued to fashion nice openings, build on their increasing domination of midfield, while Lopez and Ortega were a constant threat buzzing around the area.
After a first half that produced two goals, two shots against the woodwork and numerous chances, the second was a more cautious affair as the taxing heat took its toll. On Argentina’s first foray forward, 20 minutes after the break, the impressive Veron released Batistuta who cut inside and smashed a shot against the inside of the post with van der Sar rooted to the spot.
The Dutch brought on winger Marc Overmars in the 64th minute and he immediately provided a pinpoint cross from the right, only for the athletic Roa to tip over Kluivert’s header at full stretch. But they suffered a blow when Numan was sent off.
