World Cup: Ruud on target in international comeback

Ruud van Nistelrooy reminded PSV Eindhoven fans just what they will be missing next season as he prepares for his new life at Manchester United.

The £19m British record signing pulled on the orange shirt of Holland and took just 12 minutes to prove his worth.

On as a 70th-minute substitute for his first international after almost a year out with injury, the striker scored the fourth goal in a 4-0 romp over Cyprus in PSV's Phillips Stadion.

Afterwards, van Nistelrooy spoke of his pleasure at staging such a performance in front of his home fans.

He said: "When you play in an atmosphere like that it's fantastic.

"The photographers all crowded around me before kick-off but I just looked at all the fans here in Eindhoven and what they were doing. It meant so much to me to do it here.

"The reaction I got from the fans when I walked out on the pitch was just like I had scored half a goal."

He grabbed his chance from a Boudewijn Zenden cross, guiding a firm header from eight yards into the top corner, and was only denied other goals because of some excellent goalkeeping by Cyprus' Michael Morphis.

Van Nistelrooy admitted it was the perfect end to an amazing week.

He said: "It's like a dream come true. I did a lot of work, I worked so hard to come back, and it has been a difficult period.

"I came on for the last 20 minutes, I had four chances and scored one so I must be happy with that.

"For me, the important thing was getting back in the international squad. I got 20 minutes, scored a goal and people can judge me on that.

"I missed a few chances but scored with a nice header and could have had two or three more."

Holland were already 3-0 up when he came on to a rapturous ovation from the home fans, thanks to a stunning display by Marc Overmars.

The former Arsenal winger, now at Barcelona, won the free-kick from which Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored the first and hit the second himself with a superb long-range strike.

Patrick Kluivert rounded off the first half with a finish of breathtaking skill a minute before the break.

The Barcelona striker appeared to be in front of Zenden's curling free-kick but somehow contrived an ankle flick to make it 3-0.

Victory in the World Cup qualifier keeps Holland in third place in Group B, three points behind leaders Ireland and level on points with Portugal, who have a superior head-to-head record.