Healthy Robben lifts Netherlands

DURBAN, South Africa — Impressive as Arjen Robben and his Dutch teammates were in advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals, they seek much more.

The Netherlands reached the final eight Monday when standouts Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half of a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.

“We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through,” Robben said. “Probably the perfect game has still to come.”

The Dutch might need to approach perfection in their next match against five-time champion Brazil. For now, they can credit Robben, who made his first start of the tournament following a hamstring injury.

The Oranje, who have never won soccer’s biggest prize, went ahead in the 18th minute when Robben cut inside from the right wing and found the net with a low, precise shot from 20 yards.

“It’s fantastic,” coach Bert van Marwijk said. “After such an injury that he has the touch to score a goal like that.”

Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg preserved the win with two key saves in the 67th and the Dutch extended their team-record unbeaten streak to 23 games.