In the crucial clash in Group B, Germany lead Netherlands by 2-0 at half time, thanks to two goals from striker Mario Gomez.

Netherlands had the first effort on goal through Robin van Persie on seven minutes, though his attempt was saved by Manuel Neuer.

Germany drove forward soon after and Mesut Ozil hit the post, before Maarten Stekelenburg gathered the ball.

On 24 minutes, Germany grabbed the lead through Mario Gomez. The striker showed great control and composure after a great pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The Netherlands struggled to take hold of the game as Germany dominated proceedings all over the field.

Holger Badstuber should have made it two from a free-kick, but the Bayern Munich defender headed the ball straight at the goalkeeper from 5 yards out.

A minute later, Gomez actually got the second for Germany. Another clever pass from Schweinsteiger released the Bayern Munich forward, who finished perfectly.

The whistle blew for half time, with the Dutch struggling to contain Germany's free-flowing forward line.