Netherlands took on Russia in their second match of the European Under-21 Championships this evening.
Oranje scored a dramatic late win over Germany in their last game, and victory would put them within touching distance of the semi-finals.
The result never looked in doubt, as Cor Pot's men stormed to a 5-1 victory at the Teddi Maicha in Jerusalem.
You can read how the action unfolded with Sports Mole below.
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of today's European Under-21 Championship game between Netherlands and Russia.
Russia will be hoping to put on a better display than the one they gave against Spain in their opening match, and they'll need to if they have any aspirations of making the semi-finals.
As I mentioned in the introduction, the Russians will have Fedor Smolov and Alan Dzagoev back after their excursions with the senior side. Dzagoev in particular, could make a real difference to their chances. Many of you will remember his goals in Euro 2012 for the senior side and the under-21s will need something similar today.
Netherlands are probably the favourites though, and I think they will win today. They've got several senior internationals such as Kevin Strootman, Leroy Fer and Luuk de Jong.
They've also got the talented Georgino Wijnaldum, who impressed me in their opening game against Germany. The PSV Eindhoven playmaker scored in that match, and is on the radar of several Premier League clubs according to reports.
They also have the highly-rated Adam Maher and Marco van Ginkel, so the Dutch are not short of talent in their Under-21 ranks.
I am expecting goals this evening. As I said, the Dutch have lots of attacking talent, but as Germany proved, their defence is not quite as strong. On top of that, Russia will relish the chance to get a bit more of the ball after a tough opener against Spain, and it will be interesting to see what they can do with it.
With just over ten minute to go until kick off, lets have a look at those all important starting elevens...
NETHERLANDS: Zoet; Van Rhijn, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; Strootman, Van Ginkel, Maher; Wijnaldum, De Jong, John
RUSSIA: Zabalotni; Schennikov, Chicherin, Burlak, Belyaev; Tsallagov, Petrov, Shatov, Yakovlev; Dzagoev; Smolov
So, both Dzagoev and Smolov go straight into the starting lineup for Russia, with the former playing just behind the latter in attack. That should keep the Dutch defence on their toes, and if Russia can keep their opponents forward line under control, they could spring a surprise.
Netherlands are unchanged from their win over Germany. They took a two goal lead in that game, before being pegged back to 2-2, and will be hoping for a similar first half today.
With just minutes to go until kick off, it's time for a quick prediction. I'll go for 3-1 to Netherlands, but I wouldn't be surprised with another dramatic 3-2 win. The Russians have two very dangerous players in attack, and will be looking for an early goal that they can hang on to.
Russia kick the game off...
Some early pressure for the Dutch as John beats his man on the left before putting a dangerous ball into the box. Russia manage to defend it, and clear the resulting corner.
The Russians enjoy a bit of possession for the first time in the game, playing the ball from left to right across defence before a long pass to Smolov is cut out by the Dutch back four.
Zabalotni pumps a long free kick into the box but Martins Indi heads away and the ball falls for Maher, who plays a long diagonal towards Wijnaldum, but it goes out of play.
Russia win a throw on the left at the halfway line, but Netherlands regain possession as De Vrij finds Strootman. The midfielder goes back to the goalkeeper who plays the ball long.
The Russians seem to have composed themselves after a lightening start from Netherlands. Schennikov makes a break from left-back and plays the ball inside to Smolov, unfortunately the striker's touch lets him down and they lose possession.
The Russian full-back makes another good break forward and finds Yakovlev inside him, but the midfielder's switched pass is cut out and Netherlands play the ball back to Zoet in goal.
CHANCE! A clever dummy from Smolov allows the ball to run to Dzagoev on the edge of the box, but the midfielder drags his shot just wide.
Some nice interplay on the left from Netherlands as John comes inside and finds De Jong, who moves the ball wide for Van Rhijn. The right-back cuts inside but his left-footed cross floats out of play on the far side.
CHANCE! The Netherlands are regaining a measure of control now, with Strootman and Maher finding space in the middle. The former plays the ball over the top for Wijnaldum who, without much support, fires the ball at goal from a tight angle on the right but the goalkeeper parries it.
Smolov bursts past Martins Indi on the right but his pull-back towards Dzagoev is cut out and Netherlands play the ball out of defence with Strootman finding space again in the middle.
Blind plays the ball inside to John, who turns his man cleverly and fires the ball towards De Jong. Unfortunately for Netherlands, the striker can't quite control the ball.
POST! Netherlands break forward again, as John comes of the left and plays a ball inside the full-back for Blind, whose cross is deflected for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, De Jong finds himself free in the box but heads the ball against the post and Russia clear!
The Dutch have upped the tempo now as Van Rhijn chips the ball over the top for Van Ginkel who chips it into the box, where De Jong tries a spectacular overhead kick but misses the ball.
Van Rhijn plays an excellent cross-field pass to John, who controls well and comes inside his full-back for shooting wide. Netherlands regain possession quickly and break forward with Maher through the middle, but Tsallagov shrugs him off the ball.
Russia respond well, breaking on the left with Yakovlev, who plays the ball inside for Dzagoev. The playmaker turns cleverly on the edge of the box and tries to slip the ball through to Petrov, but Martins Indi cuts it out.
The Netherlands continue to keep the ball well between their midfield in defence, but have failed to get behind the Russian defence in the last few minutes.
Russia produce a nice move on the edge of the Dutch penalty area as Yakovlev plays a one-two with Petrov. Martins Indi makes the tackle as the midfielder runs into the box though, and Smolov heads over the bar from the resulting corner.
GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 Russia (Wijnaldum)
Excellent goal from the PSV Eindhoven man as he comes of the right and breaks through the middles of the pitch, before firing the ball into the corner from 30 yards out.
The replay actually shows Wijnaldum's effort got a little deflection off Burlak, which could have made all the difference as the ball swerved away from the goalkeeper and into the corner.
The Netherlands are happy to keep the ball now, rarely pressing to far forward. Russia are pushing forward however, as Yakovlev picks the ball up on the left and comes inside, before shooting towards the near post. Zoet has it covered though and smothers the ball.
HALF-TIME: Netherlands 1-0 Russia
Netherlands take a well-earned lead into the break, after Wijnaldum's second goal of the tournament. De Jong should have put them ahead before that, but hit the post with a free header, while Russia's biggest threats have come from Dzagoev and Yakovlev.
The Dutch started the game quickly but settled into a slow passing rhythm, which is different from the gung-ho style we saw against Germany in their opening match. They are still ahead though, and have created far more than their opponents, even if De Jong has looked a little isolated and Maher has struggled to really get into the game.
Russia really need to provide Smolov with more service and could do with committing more players forward. Yakovlev has been a constant threat from the left, while Dzagoev has shown his class at times, but his lack of matches in this team has shown.
The Russians have also allowed their opponent's midfield far too much space. Strootman has pretty much had the run of the park, while Van Ginkel and Maher have shown glimpses of quality, without really stamping their authority on the match.
The players are back out on the pitch, with both sides unchanged, and the Dutch get us underway in the second period...
Yakovlev comes in of the left and beats his man before playing it wide for Smolov. The striker plays the ball across the box to Petrov, whose cross seems to hit Martins Indi on the arm, but the referee waves away the penalty claims.
RED CARD! Russia are down to ten men as Chicherin is shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Maher. The Dutch midfielder had broken forward through the middle, and although the challenge was late, it was not particularly dangerous. Russia are perhaps a little unlucky.
Belyaev is down after taking a nasty challenged from De Jong, but Russia continue on the break before the referee stops play so the midfielder can receive treatment.
Going back to the sending off, it was certainly a cynical challenge, and was quite late, but it is rare that you see straight red card for challenges like that.
CROSSBAR! Wijnaldum breaks forward on the right but is held up and waits for support in the shape of Van Rhijn. The full-back's cross finds Maher, who sidefoots a volley straight at goal only to see it bounce off the crossbar and over!
Russia are trying their best to push forward, with some good play on the right between Shatov and Smolov, but Netherlands regain the ball in midfield, although Van Ginkel's pass to John is over hit and goes out for a goal kick.
The Dutch seem happy to play on the counter attack, despite having a man advantage. Rather than keep possession, they're looking to spring forward quickly. It's Russia who are on the attack though, winning a corner as Dzagoev's striker deflects wide. Balyaev's header goes harmlessly wide though.
GOAL! Netherlands 2-0 Russia (De Jong)
Seconds after a good Strootman cross finds Wijnaldum free in the box, Van Ginkel repeats the process on the right, with De Jong at the back post to head past to goalkeeper.
Russia break well as Dzagoev finds Smolov, who instead of moving the ball on the Yakovlev, cuts back inside and shoots harmlessly over.
GOAL! Netherlands 2-1 Russia (Cheryshev)
The ten men of Russia get one back! An excellent move on the edge of the box, as substitute Cheryshev finds Schennikov on the over lap. The full-back's cross finds Dzagoev who heads against the post, but Cheryshev follows it up and fires into an empty net!
GOAL! Netherlands 3-1 Russia (John)
Netherlands increase the lead back to two almost immediately, as a long ball is flicked on by De Jong to Ola John, who runs clear before chipping the ball neatly over the goalkeeper and into the goal.
The Dutch are definitely keeping the ball now, rather than relying on counter-attacks. They were panicked by that Russia goal, but are now back in the ascendancy after John's clever finish.
SUBSTITUTION: Smolov is replaced by Kanunnikov for Russia, while Netherlands' hero from the first match, Leroy Fer replaces Maher.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Netherlands as their captain Strootman is given a rest, as he is replaced by Jordy Clasie. Russia also make a change, bringing on Bibilov for Shatov.
The Dutch are not committing too many players forward with ten minutes to go. They're happy to keep the ball and make a tired Russian team chase the game even more.
SUBSTITUTION: Netherlands make their final change, as Danny Hoesen replaces De Jong.
GOAL! Netherlands 4-1 Russia (Hoesen)
The substitute makes an instant impact, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net despite the best efforts of Burlak, after the ball breaks to him in the box.
Netherlands nearly make it five as John comes in off the left and plays a clever through ball towards Hoesen, who controls well but sees his shot blocked for a corner.
CHANCE! Hoesen misses another good chance for his second, curling the ball narrowly over the bar, after John found him in space on the edge of the box.
YELLOW CARD! Dzagoev picks up a late booking for complaining to the referee one too many times.
YELLOW CARD! Tsallagov receives a booking for bringing down John on the left, just as the fourth official signals that there will be four minutes of added time.
GOAL! Netherlands 5-1 Russia (Fer)
Fer gets another late goal, this time in different circumstances. Van Ginkel plays a through ball inside the full-back to John, who pulls the ball back towards the penalty spot, where Fer runs onto it and fires into the top corner.
YELLOW CARD! Russia pick up another late yellow card, as Cheryshev brings down Hoesen. I think they just want the final whistle now.
FULL-TIME: Netherlands 5-1 Russia
Netherlands take a big step towards the semi-finals with this big win over a decent Russian side.
The red card for Chicherin was definitely the key moment in that second half, but the Dutch were pretty comfortable before that and ruthless thereafter.
Russia battled well in the second half, and even managed to get a goal back with ten men. A quick Dutch reply though, ruined any chance of an unlikely comeback and the Russians are almost certainly going home, depending on the result of Germany vs. Spain later.
Thanks for joining me this evening, and stick around for more live coverage of the European Under-21 Championship from Sports Mole.
Spain U21s
