Italy inflict first loss on Van Basten

Netherlands 1-3 Italy
The Netherlands suffered their first defeat under the guidance of Marco van Basten following a 3-1 reverse at the Amsterdam ArenA against Italy.

Goal glut
Van Basten had enjoyed 16 consecutive games without defeat as Dutch national team coach but that fine record was brought to an end courtesy of three strikes five minutes either side of half-time from Alberto Gilardino, Mauro Camoranesi and Luca Toni in response to Ryan Babel's opening effort for the home side.

Vlaar misfortune
AFC Ajax forward Babel had given the lead to the Netherlands - who were without the injured Mark van Bommel and Ruud van Nistelrooij - after 38 minutes, reacting quickest to a rebound from Dirk Kuijt's initial strike. However, Italy still managed to turn the game around before the break. Gilardino beat Ron Vlaar in the air to Alessandro Del Piero's cross to head in the equaliser four minutes before half-time, and the AZ Alkmaar defender suffered again in first-half added time when he deflected Camoranesi's header past Edwin van der Sar to put Italy ahead.

Record breaker
Manchester United FC goalkeeper Van der Sar - who was making his 106th international start for the Netherlands, eclipsing the previous record held by Frank de Boer - was replaced at the break by debutant Henk Timmer, and within five minutes of the restart the AZ custodian was picking the ball out of the net. ACF Fiorentina forward Toni was able to ward off the attentions of Vlaar and keep the ball under control to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

Run continues
The Netherlands failed to recover from conceding those three goals in quick succession, and although Kuijt came close to reducing the deficit when he hit the post from Rafael van der Vaart's corner, it was not enough to end a winless run against Italy which now stretches back eight games to the 1978 FIFA World Cup.