Defender Dwight Tiendalli made no such mistake, choosing instead to slip in a quick free kick. Babel, slipping by a half-hearted tackle from a surprised defender, raced into the box and hammered his right-footer to the top corner (1:0, 3').

"It was a nervous start for us and it really only got worse after the goal," said ultra-demanding boss Foppe de Haan. "But we settled down later on and there was no way we could lose once we started playing our game."

With the Chileans hoping to exploit some Dutch frailty down the flanks, they were having some joy getting their crosses in.  But centre backs Ron Vlaar and Frank van der Struijk were having none of it, clearing all major threats out with aplomb. 

The hosts went oh-so-close to making it two when Utrecht's Ricky Kruys came within inches of repeating the wonder strike he lashed against Australia.  But Chile keeper Carlos Espinoza could breath a heavy sigh of relief after the 20-yarder went wide of his far post. 

Though there were no more goals in the half, the ever-lively Quincy Owusu Abeyie managed to pull out some of his trademark party tricks and jinking dance moves to the delight of the Doetinchem faithful. 

After a slow start to the second half, the Chileans began to see more of the ball.  Gonzalo Jara's sharp free kick from 20 yards had Kenneth Vermeer scrambling to his right.  Second half substitute Carlos Carmona was also looking lively for the suddenly up-for-it South Americans.
 
The Dutch fans again turned out in their droves to support their exciting team. (ACTION IMAGES) Lee Mills 
 
Owuso Abeyie - surely the best dribbler in the Dutch camp but admittedly not the best finisher - went close to doubling the Dutch lead. Making space for himself at the edge of the box, his shot hit the chest of the Chilean keeper in minute 64.   But the Arsenal man was remiss two minutes later when he kept on alone towards goal with Babel steaming in and begging for a diagonal ball through. 

They say it's tough to keep a good man down. And in the case of Owusu Abeyie the clich? is completely true.  Back in the thick of things in minute 67, he beat his man for speed, held off a tackle and struck from point-blank range.  Espinoza was equal to the task, but Tim Vincken followed up again bringing a wonder save out of the scrambling keeper.  The final shot of the mayhem frenzy fell back to Owusu Abeyie, who hammered a deflected shot off the crossbar.

And is if predetermined, it was Doetinchem's darling Quincy who turned up to lay claim to an unlikely second goal.  Collecting a square ball from Babel, the provider turned scorer after cutting inside and curling his shot low to the far post (2:0, 72').

Substituted two minutes later, the hero earned a deserved standing ovation.  His replacement, Collins John, wasted no time opening his account after slapping home Vincken's pulled-back ball (3:0, 80').

Chile coach Jose Sulantay was gracious in defeat. "I am proud of my boys. They did the best they could and we were in with a shout until that second goal fell," he said.