Holland 2 Denmark 0: Agger unwittingly points Dutch towards faltering first victory

The Dutch struggled to create openings in the first period, and the first goal came from an unlikely source.

Less than 60 seconds into the second half Robin van Persie's cross from the left was headed on by Denmark's Simon Poulsen – seemingly for a corner – but struck the back of team-mate Agger and went in.

Five minutes from time Kuyt sealed the points after impressive substitute Eljero Elia's shot from the left was diverted onto the right-hand post by Stoke goalkeeper Sorensen and the Liverpool forward easily finished.

It could have been worse for Denmark, but Daniel Poulsen cleared Ibrahim Afellay's shot off the line late on.

"I've been thinking about this first game for a long, long time," said Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk.

"I've always said that this was the most important match because a good beginning to a world championship is so important.

"It's always a tough match. As you could see, there was a bit of tension with the players. It was difficult, but we won, which is the most important thing."

Opposite number Morten Olsen paid tribute to the Dutch, but admitted that things could have been different had they not conceded a goal so early on in the second half.

He said: "It was a deserved victory, I think. The Dutch team is perhaps not the favourite, but certainly an outsider to win the World Cup.

"It could have been different if we didn't have the thing that happened a few seconds into the second half, but that's the kind of thing that decides football matches – the first goal – and we know that."