World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Mar 22, 2013 at 7.30pm UK

Netherlands
3-0
Estonia

van der Vaart, van Persie, Schaken

Match Report

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Football

Netherlands maintain 100% record in Group D with win over Estonia

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 22 March 2013

Netherlands made it five wins out of five in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory over Estonia.

Netherlands have maintained their 100% record in Group D in their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 win over Estonia.

Rafael van der Vaart celebrates after scoring for the Netherlands in their World Cup qualifying match with Estonia on March 22, 2013 © AP Photos

The home side dominated the first half but were unable to find a breakthrough as Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben both spurned good chances, which they nearly paid for as Konstantin Vassiljev went close for the visitors before the break.

Two minutes after the interval, Netherlands took the lead through Rafael van der Vaart as his left-footed shot from the edge of the area found the bottom corner.

Robin van Persie scores for the Netherlands during their World Cup qualifier with Estonia on March 22, 2013 © AP Photos

Robin van Persie spurned two chances to double his side's lead before he finally made it two in the 72nd minute as he tapped home Daryl Janmaat's cross from close range.

The visitors came close to pegging the hosts back but Martin Vunk's shot went just over the bar.

Ruben Schaken then secured the win for Netherlands, latching onto Van Persie's pass before firing low and hard into the bottom corner past Estonia keeper Sergei Parieko.