France

Coupet: 5 - Made a couple of good stops and was powerless to stop the first and last goal. He would have done extremely well to stop the second, but ultimately should have been able to keep out the third from Robben, which went over his head at the near post.

Sagnol: 7 - Got up and down his flank to decent effect. Was better than against Romania, but did not win his duel with Sneijder in the Dutch half or his own. Provided a smart ball across goal for Henry to touch home.

Thuram: 3 - Had a nightmare and looked every one of his 36 years. Was not quick or sharp enough and was even out-muscled and caught out of position from time to time. With no Mexes to step in, it's likely he will nevertheless retain his place in the side against Italy..

Gallas: 6.5 - Was strong at the back and, unlike Thuram, had the athleticism to keep pace with the Dutch forwards. Could have done little to stop the goals that punished his side on the break.

Evra: 7 - Looked a great fit in the side. Not afforded as much offensive freedom as usual but his defensive discipline was a testament to his all-round ability as a full-back.

Govou: 7.5 - A great addition to the team down the right wing and worked tremendously hard for his side. Had a few half chances and the Dutch a number of problems.

Toulalan: 7 - Grew into the game and was solid defensively, also playing neat and tidy passes throughout. Became overrun towards the end of the game.

Makelele: 6 - Made some horrible challenges but otherwise played quite well, full of energy and not allowing the Dutch too much freedom. Did not give up until the end.

Ribery: 7 - Lively and full of running but too selfish at crucial moments. Has not yet provided the magic spark he did for Bayern this season.

Malouda: 5 - Barring a few moments where he showed the skill we all know him to have, Malouda had a poor game. He gave the ball away far too often and was not incisive enough with his running or passing.

Henry: 6.5 - Some good movement but ultimately was kept out of the game for far too long, which is hardly his own fault. Had a big miss with the score at 1-0, but did pull back a smart goal to make it 2-1, only for the Dutch to add another less than a minute later.

Substitutes

Gomis: 5

Anelka: n/a.


Holland

Van der Sar: 7 - Made some solid stops, particularly midway through the first half, and looked dependable throughout.

Boulahrouz: 9 - Brilliant! Made several perfect challenges and gave Malouda no joy down the left hand side, or Evra, or even Ribery when he came over to that side as well. An incredible showing from the Chelsea man. Will Scolari be interested in hanging onto him now?

Ooijer: 8 - The player of the first half. Very quick to close down any French attacks and stayed tight to his man. His overcommitment occasionally almost left him exposed, but his was a performance tailor-made for the day.

Mathijsen: 5.5 - A little off the pace on the odd occasion and was caught out regularly when the French roved forward.

Van Bronckhorst: 7 - Had a stern test up against the vibrant Sidney Govou and often Franck Ribery doubling up as well, but he coped very well with a tenacious performance.

De Jong: 7 - Stuck in there to his credit, but could not impose himself on the game as he would have liked.

Engelaar: 5 - Surprisingly off-colour after a very good first game against Italy. Misplaced passes and was not as big a presence in stopping the dynamic Franck Ribery. Was substituted at half time.

Kuyt: 7.5 - Tenacious as ever playing down the right hand side. A well-taken header, in the right place at the right time from close range from a corner kick.

Van der Vaart: 7 - Smart passing as usual, not quite as expansive and marked tighter than he was against Italy.

Sneijder: 8.5 - Like Kuyt, worked tremendously hard down his flank, doubling up to assist van Bronckhorst on defensive duty brilliantly. Good pace when breaking forward and scored an absolute beauty in the dying seconds.

Van Nistelrooy: 8 - Moved very freely and held the ball up brilliantly for his side all over the pitch. Did not get into the box as much as he would have liked against a very disciplined French rearguard. Amazingly, he didn't score, but he showed several touches of pure class, including two 360-spins that would have made Cruyff himself proud.

Substitutes

Robben: 8.5 - A magnificent performance off the bench. His devastating pace put the French to the sword and his tight-angle blast gave the Dutch the initiative back after having just conceded.

Van Persie: 8 - Full of energy and was in the right place at the right time to thump home the second goal. An ambitious substitution that paid off.

Bouma: 6.5