Substitute seals Dutch success

Dazzling spell
The Dutch had been ahead from the 35th minute when Manchester United FC striker Ruud van Nistelrooij opened the scoring but it was not until Van Persie's introduction 16 minutes from time that the game was made safe. In a dazzling eleven-minute spell, the Arsenal FC youngster created goals for Dirk Kuijt and Phillip Cocu before rounding off the scoring himself.

Broken leg
Substitute Mario Melchiot was called off the bench for the visitors after just 27 minutes when PSV Eindhoven full-back Theo Lucius was carried off with a broken leg.

Jääskeläinen beaten
Van Nistelrooij's opener came against the run of play when he controlled a long ball inside the Finns' penalty area and fired high past home goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen. But the Dutch, temporarily overtaken in the Group 1 standings by the Czech Republic, winners earlier in the evening, struggled to cement their lead.

Super substitute
The goalscorer made way for Van Persie, who took just 60 seconds to link up with Chelsea FC's Arjen Robben and create the second goal for Feyenoord forward Kuijt. PSV's Cocu was the next man to benefit from a Van Persie pass to score on 85 minutes.

Driven finish
The 21-year-old, making only his second international appearance, ran through to drive in the fourth goal three minutes from time and help lift his team back to first place in the pool, a point clear of the Czechs. Their meeting on 8 October could settle the group, although the Dutch must first travel to Armenia on 3 September. Finland next face F.Y.R. Macedonia away from home on 17 August.