Soccer: Van Nistelrooy goal gives Dutch draw against Germany

8.40am

PORTO, Portugal - A brilliant late goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Netherlands a 1-1 draw with soccer rivals Germany today in a Euro 2004 needle match which had looked beyond them until the striker intervened.

Playing with unexpected assurance, Germany had opened the scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Torsten Frings curled an inswinging free kick past a forest of heads and Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to go in off the far post.

The Dutch had rarely threatened until van Nistelrooy sprung to life in the 81st minute, turning the ball acrobatically into the net from an Andy van der Meyde cross.

The two European heavyweights are tied in second place in group D behind the Czech Republic who beat debutants Latvia 2-1 earlier today in Aveiro.

- REUTERS

Euro 2004 draw