Holland v Argentina, Marseille, Quarterfinal
According to his compatriot Ruud Gullitt, Dennis Bergkamp’s goal in the 1998 World Cup quarter final against Argentina was “technically perfect”. And it is hard to argue with that. Argentina had arrived in Marseille in buoyant mood after beating the old enemy England on penalties in the previous round. Holland were blessed with some fine talent, none greater than Arsenal’s sublime playmaker. Nicely balanced, the game was heading towards extra time after neither side had managed to add to the first half goals they had shared. Then, with barely a minute left, a most un-Dutch like long ball was hoofed forward out of defence. Bergkamp was lurking on the edge of the Argentine penalty area, carefully shadowed by Roberto Ayala. As the ball dropped from the stratosphere, Bergkamp perfectly cushioned it on the laces of his right boot. That, Gullitt suggests, is the moment of unimpeachable genius. As Ayala back-pedalled, Bergkamp, the ball now perfectly under control, checked inside, sending his marker temporarily the wrong way. As Ayala sprawled, the Dutchman, gifted half a yard of space, then blasted the ball with the outside of his boot past Carlos Roa into the goal. Momentarily overcome by what he has done, Bergkamp covered his face with his hands and fell full length to the turf, only to be buried under a celebratory pyramid of his team mates. Holland were to be beaten by Brazil in the semi final. But no matter. Bergkamp had supplied the moment of the tournament. And for Roa, the trauma was to be sustained. In 1999, so convinced was he that the turn of the Millennium would mark the end of the world, he gave away all his possessions and headed to the hills to await the final judgment, only sheepishly to return when it appeared the end was not nigh after all. But then you could understand his reaction. In Bergkamp’s strike he had been on the receiving end of perfection. After that, everything else was an anti-climax.