Russia beat Holland to reach Euro 2008 semi-finals

Russia beat 1988 champions Holland 3-1 after extra-time in their Euro 2008 quarter-final here on Saturday.

Two goals in extra-time – from Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin – sealed a deserved victory for the Russians, whose coach Guus Hiddink is a former Dutch national coach.

Arshavin extended Russia’s lead in the 116th minute – for his second goal in two matches – after Dmitri Torbinsky had restored Russia’s lead in the 112th minute with his first goal of the tournament, though, an earlier booking had ruled him out of the semi-final.

Roman Pavlyuchenko had opened the scoring in the 56th minute – his third goal of the tournament.

However, Ruud van Nistelrooy equalised for Holland in the 87th minute – his second goal of the tournament and taking him equal with Dutch legend Johan Cruyff on 33 career international goals – to make it 1-1.

The winners play either Italy or Spain in Thursday’s semi-final in Vienna.