Bergkamp's last-gasp goal sinks battling Argentina

THE twinkling feet and devastating finish of Dennis Bergkamp put Holland through to the World Cup semi-finals with a last minute goal that sank Argentina 2-1 in an explosive quarter-final yesterday in Marseille.

A superb first half, which saw both teams play some marvellous football, was followed, late in the second half, by some ill-tempered play that ended with Arthur Numan of Holland and Argentinian maestro Ariel Ortega sent off.

Ortega's sending-off was clouded in controversy as he was tackled by central defender Jaap Stam two minutes from the end and went down in a heap amid frenzied appeals for a penalty.

But Mexican referee Arturo Brizio was having none of it and instead ran across with the yellow card in his hand to caution Ortega for ungentlemanly conduct - just as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar advanced from his goal towards the fallen Ortega, presumably to abuse him for diving.

Ortega, a superbly skilful player who revels in close control situations, jumped straight up to fell Van Der Sar with the top of his head under the goalkeeper's chin.

The Stade Velodrome was in a frenzy but more drama followed as Bergkamp, a masterly, pivotal part of this exciting Dutch side, raced down the right to take a 50-metre pass from Frank de Boer about a metre off the ground, controlled it in a split second, turned inside and then, with a trademark effort, used the outside of his right foot to plant the ball wide of Carlos Roa for an epic winner.