Euro2008 Group C: Holland 3 Italy 0

Holland took a firm grip on Euro 2008's so-called "Group of Death" by winning a classic encounter with Italy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when he scored from close range - but also from an offside position. Wesley Sneijder swept in a second from Dirk Kuyt's header five minutes later. Edwin van der Sar then denied Italy with stunning saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in after 80 minutes.

Euro 2008 has made a low-key start, but this was a game to set any tournament alight as the Dutch played in a stunning counter-attacking style and Italy also showed flashes of brilliance, despite ending up well beaten.

Holland are in pole position to qualify after France's dismal goalless draw with Romania, but Italy - even in defeat - suggested they can still go through from this tough group. After the dreadful fare on offer in the earlier game between France and Romania, the opening 45 minutes produced by two of the tournament favourites provided a glorious contrast.

Italy created the first moments of danger, with Antonio di Natale's cross just failing to find Luca Toni as he closed in six yards out. The giant Bayern Munich striker then headed Gennaro Gattuso's cross wide from a good position as all the early signs pointed to a fast, flowing and positive contest.

Van Nistelrooy posted the warning signals for Italy as early as the 17th minute when he collected Kuyt's pass and attempted to round keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon made contact with Van Nistelrooy but the striker - who had a reputation for going to ground too easily when he was with Manchester United - chose to stay on his feet and the chance was gone.