France have beaten the Netherlands 2-0 after two first-half goals.
The Dutch started well, controlling possession but failing to really test the French defence.
Midway through the first 45 minutes, the tide changed, and the hosts began to look more and more dangerous on the break.
After a couple of dangerous crosses from Mathieu Debuchy, France went for a more direct approach. Karim Benzema latched on to a long pass and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
Shortly afterwards it was 2-0, and Benzema was again involved, linking well with Yohan Cabaye in the middle of the park before Mathieu Valbuena was released on the right wing. The winger picked out Blaise Matuidi, who acrobatically volleyed the ball into the back of the net from the middle of the penalty area.
It could have been three just before the break, but three French players failed to get on to the end of a deep free kick which had missed everybody.
The second half produced a much lower tempo as France gave cameos to Franck Ribery and Olivier Giroud, and saw the game out quite comfortably in the end.
Daniel Cross
