Van Nistelrooy rules over Germany
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Your support makes all the difference.Ruud Van Nistelrooy capped the Netherlands' 3-1 victory over their old rivals Germany with the third goal in a friendly the Manchester United striker described as a "world-class game".
The Netherlands, frustrated after failing to qualify for the World Cup, restored some pride by spoiling Germany's last outing of the year in the latest in a series of compelling fixtures between the two nations.
The World Cup runners-up controlled possession for long periods in Gelsenkirchen, but the visitors made the most of the few chances they created and the Germany coach, Rudi Völler, said: "The difference was that our opponents converted their opportunities while we squandered too many."
Patrick Kluivert put the Dutch ahead from close range on 22 minutes when he latched on to a free-kick. Germany fought back through Fredi Bobic, who celebrated his return after an absence of nearly five years with a diving header to put the home side level in the 34th minute.
Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink fired the Dutch side back in front with a low drive from the edge of the box on 69 minutes and Van Nistelrooy, a second-half substitute, sealed the win by hammering in a Clarence Seedorf cross 10 minutes later.
"It was a world-class game," Van Nistelrooy said. "The Germans were very strong in midfield and Bobic was outstanding up front. We had a lot of problems. But in the second half we played much better and things went our way. This is a fantastic result for us."
Wales' Euro 2004 Group Nine rivals Italy salvaged a 1-1 draw against Turkey, England's Group Seven opponents, in Pescara. In the 28th minute, Emre Belozoglu put the visitors ahead, launching a shot into the top corner before his Internazionale team-mate Christian Vieri levelled with his 14th goal in 29 games for the Azzurri. Vieri drew the Turks' goalkeeper Omer Catkic and steered an angled shot into an empty net.
Although Filippo Inzaghi missed a late chance to win the match, it was another uninspiring night for the Italians and their embattled coach, Giovanni Trapattoni. "Today was a friendly and we played against the third-place team from the World Cup," Trapattoni said. "If we continue to improve, we'll qualify."
Two goals from Eric Carrière and one from Olivier Kapo gave France a 3-0 win over Yugoslavia at the Stade de France. The victory means that the French are unbeaten in five games under Jacques Santini, who replaced Roger Lemerre after the team's first-round exit at the World Cup.
Argentina beat Japan 2-0 in Saitama while the other World Cup co-hosts, South Korea, went down 3-2 in Seoul to Brazil, for whom an in-form Ronaldo scored twice.
Pity poor San Marino, denied their first European Championship qualifying point after losing all 28 of their previous games. Carlo Valentini scored a heartbreaking own goal in injury time to hand Latvia a 1-0 win in Serravalle.
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