What a game we just witnessed. Holland overpowered italy 3-0 tonight, in the best game of the tournament so far. The Netherlands started attacking, and didnt stop attacking. They might still be attacking now in their sleep.

Italy had their chances in the game but failed to make any of htem count.

The first goal scored by Ruud Van Nistelrooy was clearly offside, but was allowed by some strange officiating byt the lines man. A corner was kicked in, and after some tussling Panucci ended up behind the goal line on the floor, in a heap. Seconds later, a strong fast cross/shot came in which Ruud deflected in. At the time of the cross, Ruud was offside. According to the FIFA Laws book, the goal should not count, since the Panucci was off the field not interfering with play, and did not deliberately stay off to keep Ruud offside.

From the rule book (source):

If a defending player steps behind his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position, the referee shall allow play to continue and caution the defender for deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission when the ball is next out of play.

It is not an offence in itself for a player who is in an offside position to step off the field of play to show the referee that he is not involved in active play. However, if the referee considers that he has left the field of play for tactical reasons and has gained an unfair advantage by re-entering the field of play, the player shall be cautioned for unsporting behaviour. The player needs to ask for the referee’s permission to re-enter the field of play.

Five minutes after the controversial goal, Sneijder scored a spectacular goal, from a break neck counter attack. A full volley into the goal from a Kuyt head into the box.

In the second half, the game remained at a high pace and both teams produced very good chances, but another wonderful country attack move put Holland 3-0 up, which is how it ended.