Russia are through to the semi finals of the 2008 European Championships following a highly convincing 3-1 win after extra time over the Netherlands.
The Netherlands, who had been promoted to tournament favorites by many, were not anything like the team they had been in the group phase and were unable to really put pressure on the Russian defense.
After a goalless first half, it was Roman Pavlyuchenko to break the deadlock in the 56th minute. The attacker went past Mathijssen to tip in a cross from the left wing.
The Dutch, who had actually seemed more likely to concede another goal, eventually managed to level through a Ruud van Nistelrooy header in the 86th minute.
But the Russians didn’t seem affected when extra time began and just continued with what they had been doing so far. It paid off in the 112th minute when Dmitri Torbinski converted a cross for 2-1.
And four minutes later, it was star player Andrei Arshavin himself to finish it off with a shot from the right side of the penalty area.
In the semi final, the Russians will face either Spain or Italy.
