Netherlands hit Ghana for four

Netherlands 4-1 Ghana
UEFA Champions League finalists Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder joined the fray as the Netherlands secured a comfortable win against their fellow FIFA World Cup hopefuls.

Though Arjen Robben was once again rested, Van Bommel and Sneijder both played their part as Dirk Kuyt gave the Netherlands a 30th-minute lead, the Liverpool FC striker turning in the rebound after Robin van Persie's effort had been parried by Richard Kingson.

Rafael van der Vaart doubled the Oranje's advantage with 17 minutes remaining – just nine minutes after coming off the bench – with a cool finish having been played in by Van Bommel. Ghana, though, were unbowed and halved their arrears within five minutes through Asamoah Gyan following a defensive mix-up between Joris Mathijsen and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

It mattered not, though, because Sneijder restored the hosts' two-goal cushion three minutes later with a first-time volley from Van der Vaart's corner. The Real Madrid CF attacking midfielder also played his part in the final goal of the night, earning the penalty which was dispatched by Van Persie with three minutes left.

FC Twente goalkeeper Sander Boschker made his international debut by replacing Michel Vorm at half-time to become the oldest Dutch international of all time at the age of 39 years and 224 days.