Euro 2012 Group B: Netherlands 0 Denmark 1

The Netherlands suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Denmark at Metalist Stadium on Saturday to leave their Euro 2012 campaign in the balance.

Despite fashioning a slew of chances almost straight from kick-off, the Netherland were extremely poor in front of goal, and their profligacy was punished by a fine finish from Michael Krohn Dehli after 24 minutes.

The Dutch were similarly wasteful during the second half, their performance summed up by the labouring efforts of Robin van Persie, who showed none of the killer instinct from his stellar 37-goal season with Arsenal.

The race for qualification from Group B is now wide open, after a stunning smash and grab result from Denmark, who defied their long-shot odds and now have a priceless three points to give their hopes of making the quarter-finals an undeniable boost.

With first choice left-back Erik Pieters unavailable, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk began with Jetro Willems.

At 18 years and 71 days old, he became the youngest player ever to feature in the tournament.

It was the PSV Eindhoven youngster who had the first real chance of the match, sending a crashing drive from long range over the bar with only three minutes gone.

Moments later, Van Persie spurned a more obvious opportunity when he belted a deflected cross off target from close range.

The Dutch appeared to be in control of proceedings, Ibrahim Afellay sending another effort off target, before Arjen Robben’s dangerous centre was toe-poked into the grateful arms of Stephan Andersen.

However, for all their dominance, the Netherlands lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and with 24 minutes gone, Denmark showed them how it should be done.

Krohn-Dehli still had work to do after picking up possession just outside the area, but the Brondby winger did not hesitate, nipping past his marker and drilling between the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Denmark almost conceded an equaliser on 36 minutes though, after a poor clearance from Andersen was pounced upon by Robben, who strode forward and bent an effort onto the base of the post.

Afellay skied another attempt following a marauding run into the box, but it was Van Persie’s miss a few minutes before half-time that left Van Marwijk really shaking his head.

The Arsenal striker’s heavy first-touch wasted a glorious set up by Wesley Sneijder, but he still should have hit the target, instead of firing wide via a deflection off Andersen.

The interval did little to improve Van Persie’s fortunes, as he wasted two further set-ups from Sneijder, with a trip over his own feet a particular cause of frustration, not least to the watching Klass Jan-Huntelaar on the bench.

Mark Van Bommel called Andersen into action with a long range pile-driver, before Afellay squeezed an attempt from the edge of the box inches wide of the post, as the Netherlands seemed capable of everything but putting the ball into the back of the net.

Robben planted a header the wrong side of the post, and the Netherlands could have been further behind on 70 minutes had Stekelenburg not gotten a touch onto a stinging drive from Krohn-Dehli.

The chances continued to arrive for the desperate Dutch, with substitute Huntelaar wasting the pick of them when he failed to round Andersen after yet another incisive through ball from Sneijder.

But Denmark were holding firm at the back, and survived a late flicked header from Van Persie that inched over the bar.

When a late penalty appeal for handball against Jacobsen went unanswered, the Dutch knew that their time was up.

Netherlands will have a difficult task getting their campaign back on track when they face fellow favourites Germany in their next group match, while Denmark square off with Portugal.

Both fixtures take place on Wednesday.