SoccerNews.com

The Netherlands booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 with a 4-1 victory over France, clinching first place in Group C.

The Dutch went in front on nine minutes when Dirk Kuyt headed home a pinpoint corner kick by Rafael van der Vaart, right in front of Florent Malouda who never looked to located the incoming ball.

France then took over control of the game and always looked the more likely of the sides to score the next goal, but Edwin van der Sar made several good saves to keep the French out of the net and carry the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Following the introduction of both Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, the two combined to extend the Dutch lead just shy of the hour mark when Robben crossed in for van Persie to shoot on target, hitting it right at Coupet, but the ball trickled over the line.

Twelve minutes later, Thierry Henry brought France back into the game when he touched home a right-wing cross from Franck Ribéry. But 45 seconds later, Robben made it 3-1 as he was played through at the left-hand post by Wesley Sneijder and smashed into the top corner from a tight angle in front of defender Lilian Thuram.

Wesley Sneijder then hit a brilliant goal in injury time to cap off another great performance.

The French are left on one point from two matches along with Italy, both behind Romania in second with two points.