Sweden to play extra time against Holland

Sweden 0-0 Holland

Holland and Sweden could not be separated during normal time of their Euro 2004 quarter-final and 90 goalless minutes raised the prospect of a silver goal winner or even penalties.

In the first minute, Dutch defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst needed medical attention after being forced to clear a dangerous ball inside his own area.

But it was Holland who were showing more confidence in the opening stages.

In the ninth minute, Dutch winger Arjen Robben was the first to test Andreas Isaksson with a powerful strike from the edge of the area which forced the goalkeeper into a one-handed save.

Clarence Seedorf had skipped past Linderoth, who provided Robben with a fantastic assist.

Five minutes later, the Dutch had a second opportunity – but Seedorf’s free-kick from 25 yards went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Holland continued to surge forward – and with 17 minutes played, Olof Mellberg made a vital to block following Van Nistelrooy’s shot on target from inside the box.

Sweden had their first shot on goal in the 24th minute, but Henrik Larsson’s free-kick did not trouble goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar as the shot went wide.

Three minutes later, Holland were back on the attack – with Van Nistelrooy feeding Reiziger whose first-touch strike went inches wide of Isaksson’s left-hand post.

In the 29th minute, Slovakian referee Lubos Michel showed the first yellow card of the game to Frank de Boer after a dubious tackle on Fredrik Ljungberg.

But it was the Dutch captain who got the worst of it, and Phillip Cocu had to come to his rescue.

Three minutes later, Cocu tried his luck from distance – with his powerful, bouncing shot surprising the goalkeeper who punched the ball away from danger.

Holland were forced to make their first substitution with 34th minutes played, an injured De Boer unable to continue and Wilfred Bouma taking his place in central defence – with Cocu handed the captain’s armband.

Four minutes before the break, it was substitute Bouma who made a vital block following Anders Svensson’s close-range shot on target. Shortly afterwards, Svensson had his second opportunity. But his weak shot went straight at the goalkeeper, much to the disappointment of Ibrahimovic who had provided the perfect assist.

No changes were made at the re-start.

Holland showed no intention of slowing down after the break and could have taken the lead.

Van Nistelrooy latched on to Robben’s precise cross from the right, but his close-range header went over the bar.

Seconds later, the Manchester United striker was back in action – this time with a clever back-heeled touch which went off target.

In the 48th minute, Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde was booked after a tough tackle on Nilsson.

Shortly afterwards, Cocu was caught in the back by Ibrahimovic – but the midfielder was able to continue.

Sweden had the best opportunity of the game on 56 minutes when Cocu was forced to clear off the line following Ibrahimovic's shot on target.

Defender Jaap Stam had slipped inside the area, allowing the unmarked Ajax forward a clear shot – the Dutch goalkeeper out of the picture having come off his line in an attempt to clear the previous cross.

A minute later, Ibrahimovic was booked for diving inside the box.

Just after the hour, Advocaat made his second substitution – right-back Johnny Heitinga replacing midfielder Davids.

Van Nistelrooy then chested down a long pass, and Isaksson was forced to come off his line to meet the striker whose attempt glanced off the goalkeeper and rolled past the right post.

Sweden made their first substitution, midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson on for Jonson.

In the 66th minute, Stam dribbled around Sweden’s defence – but his effort went inches wide of Isaksson’s left post.

In the 74th minute Ljungberg showed his formidable skills, after controlling a powerful cross from Svensson, but his close-range shot went wide.

With 10 minutes remaining Sweden made another substitution with Svensson coming off for Kim Kallstrom.

With four minutes left Dutch forward Roy Makaay replaced Van der Meyde as Advocaat attempted to give his side more power in attack.

Holland were desperately looking for the late goal and nearly got it after Van Nistelrooy latched onto a fantastic cross from Van Bronckhorst but his header went high.

Makaay’s shot from the distance went over of Isaksson’s goal, which was Holland’s last opportunity before the referee called an end to normal time.