The extraordinary redemption of Sunderland's unlikely World Cup hero

IAN HERBERT AT HOUSTON STADIUM: The Dutch are playing in an ultra-fluorescent hue of orange here and there's a sense that this might be some of this generation's last chance to illuminate a tournament and send the nation closer to the holy grail. Three times World Cup finalists‚ and yet still they wait. The team's supporters‚ with their wry humour and sideways look on life‚ will not be getting idealistic about overcoming a Swedish side who reverted to their desperate qualification levels‚ but it's hard to quash the optimism when you think you've stumbled on a centre forward. The pre-match talk had been of Swedes Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak‚ and how much damage potentially the tournament's two-man best strike force might inflict on the Dutch. Not Dutchman Brian Brobbey of Sunderland‚ whose selection hadn't even been a question of national debate. Marco van Basten described Brobbey a few years ago as 'technically substandard' and claimed he lacked the fundamental principles of being a striker. He began the game with one international goal to his name.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: Despite producing global stars like Johan Cruyff‚ Dennis Bergkamp‚ Marco van Basten and Ronald Koeman‚ the Netherlands have never felt the joy of lifting the World Cup. And unless they learn to hold on to leads over the coming days and weeks‚ that drought will not end this summer. As the game's greatest prize eluded him as a player‚ Koeman is determined to make amends as a coach. But his team are far more dour than previous versions and in Japan‚ they had opponents who can cause plenty of damage in this tournament.

Van Basten on Italy and Serie A ‘shameful' issues‚ backs Ancelotti for World Cup

Braida: Shevchenko and Van Basten my two best signings for AC Milan

Former Man Utd & Milan goalkeeper reflects on career: ‘I often hung out with Beckham & Van Basten'

Di Natale: Inter Milan youngster Pio Esposito similar to Van Basten

Ex-Italy star Di Natale: Pio Esposito ‘reminds me of Van Basten'

Marco van Basten and Gianluca Vialli claims swirl as Donyell Malen responds in the only way he can

Aston Villa summer transfer on track as £19m man compared to Marco van Basten

Malen blushes at Van Basten comparison: ‘He was a very special player'

‘Most important' Spalletti thing at Juventus‚ Fullkrug ‘is not Van Basten' for Milan

'Club Brugge were ROBBED! - Van Basten claims Barca didn't deserve a draw

AC Milan legend Sacchi slaughters Hojlund: We're talking Van Basten!

Sacchi slams Hojlund over Milan stance: 'We're not talking about van Basten'

Hall of Fame: Van Basten - the swan with broken wings

'A disgrace!' - Van Basten slams Linkin Park CL performance

Van Basten: Barcelona not playing Yamal to his strengths

Marco van Basten insists Barcelona must change Lamine Yamal's position after Inter defeat

Reijnders matches Van Basten record with goal in Udinese 0-4 Milan

Tijjani Reijnders equals Van Basten's 32-year AC Milan record

Marco van Basten names his Champions League favourite after Arsenal beat Real Madrid

The 6 players Van Basten considers in the GOAT debate alongside Lionel Messi

‘To beat that team‚ with Frank Rijkaard‚ Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit‚ was almost impossible - it was one of the greatest games of my coaching career': Ex-Real Madrid manager reflects on beating stacked AC Milan side in 1989

Milan legend Van Basten fuels Atletico vs Real Madrid controversy: ‘Fix this'

Named after Van Basten & master of success - Asensio shining at Villa

AC Milan great Van Basten: Feyenoord must thank "koekenbakker" Theo

Van Basten‚ Mulder: Ajax teen Mokio destined for Premier League

Slot's secret weapon behind Liverpool title charge laid bare by Van Basten

Van Basten offers transfer advice to AC Milan

Van Basten recommends how to fix Milan: 'Could help to have more Italians'

Van Basten‚ Costacurta‚ Donadoni among former Milan stars due to watch Genoa

Van Basten urges De Jong to leave Barcelona

Dutch icon slams Frenkie de Jong focus after Netherlands return

Revealed: Official Kopa Trophy voting shows Marco van Basten picked two Premier League youngsters in his top 3... and the former winner who DIDN'T put Lamine Yamal as No 1

Slot invites Van Basten to Liverpool: Talk to our strikers

Van Basten says Ugarte's start at Man Utd is "bizarre" as he fails to transform the side

Marco van Basten slams 'bizarre' £50m Man Utd transfer: 'He's not even worth 25% of that'

Marco van Basten calls Erik ten Hag's former Man Utd target 'technically substandard'

Van Basten dubs Man Utd boss Ten Hag "IDIOTIC"

Man United are torn to SHREDS on Dutch TV as Marco van Basten names just THREE 'good or decent' players‚ calls out 'idiotic' Erik ten Hag signings‚ says Marcus Rashford is 'very bad' and takes aim at a big-money summer buy

Ugarte slammed for 'walking around' in Tottenham thrashing

Van Basten targets three players in blistering attack on Man Utd squad

Marco van Basten slams agent for pushing £39m Man Utd transfer

Fans 'worse than animals'‚ Nazi salutes and Marco van Basten's brilliance: England's Euro 88 revisited

Marco van Basten reacts strongly to Virgil van Dijk performance in Netherlands defeat

Ten iconic goals at the European Championship‚ from Van Basten's brilliance to cheeky Welbeck

Lineker lip-syncing and Van Basten's volley - Euro 88 in Germany

Van Basten wary of Zirkzee move to Milan: ‘Has it all to prove'

Dutch legend Van Basten sends message to Man Utd over Ten Hag sack

Marco van Basten sends message to Man Utd over sacking Erik ten Hag

Van Basten: Slot can handle Liverpool job

Wesley Sneijder slams 'embarrassing Antony' for goading Coventry's players and 'hopes Man United LOSE 5-0 in the FA Cup final'... as Marco van Basten hits out at another Red Devils star for his flat performance

Marco van Basten names perfect Jurgen Klopp heir as next Liverpool manager prediction made

Marco van Basten sends message to Liverpool over Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp

I watch Liverpool every week and Marco van Basten is wrong about Virgil van Dijk

AC Milan great Van Basten: Leao reminds me of Gullit

How the Netherlands won Euro 88: Technical centre-backs‚ a roaming Gullit and Van Basten's iconic goal

Picture: Van Basten at San Siro for Milan-Sassuolo

Pavoletti turns into ‘Van Basten' for Cagliari in dying minutes

Liverpool star Van Dijk says he is ‘held to a very high standard' amid Gullit‚ Van Basten criticism

Eric Cantona 'lost the passion' at 30‚ heart problems cut Sergio Aguero's glittering career short - and Marco van Basten played his last game at just 28! The footballers who retired 'too soon' as Eden Hazard hangs up his boots

Van Basten reveals best three footballers ever... but there's no place for Messi

Ajax yobs make Marco van Basten sick as he demands Dutch football is shut down FOREVER

Rangers told by Dutch icons PSV are a 'bag of nerves' as Marco Van Basten hits the fear over the big one

Fred - yes‚ Fred - turned into Marco van Basten for one of the great would-be goals

Marco van Basten warns Rangers PSV's new prince is man to stop as he goes from sulk to saviour

Thierry Henry and Marco van Basten agree on Mohammed Kudus amid Arsenal transfer links

Arsenal-bound Jurrien Timber snubs Ajax legend Marco van Basten's advice

Van Basten urges Timber not to join Arsenal

Virgil van Dijk and Marco van Basten agree on Jurrien Timber amid Arsenal transfer talks

Dutch great Van Basten urges Timber to ignore Man Utd‚ Liverpool: It's too soon for you

"I don't think it's professional to start the substitute goalkeeper in a final"

Wesley Sneijder hits back at Marco van Basten

'You've earned plenty‚ go do things you like': Marco van Basten slams Lionel Messi over potential £522MILLION move to Al-Hilal and questions whether the World Cup winner is his 'own boss'

Van Basten warns Bayern Munich midfielder Gravenberch against Liverpool move

Marco van Basten sends Ryan Gravenberch stark Liverpool warning amid transfer talks

How Chelsea could look under Amorim with Fulham raid & ace 'like Van Basten'

Liverpool defender Van Dijk hits back at Gullit and Van Basten

'We are not ROBOTS': Virgil van Dijk hits back at criticism from Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit in latest war of words in Holland... after the Liverpool star was called 'arrogant' and had his leadership skills questioned

Dutch greats Gullit‚ Van Basten slam Liverpool defender Van Dijk: If you're so good‚ SHOW IT

Van Dijk just 'creates chaos' for the Netherlands - Van Basten

'He makes noise but says nothing... he CREATES chaos': Virgil van Dijk slammed by Marco van Basten - and Ruud Gullit suggests he's arrogant - as Liverpool's star centre back faces scrutiny in Holland

'He is confused' - Marco van Basten criticises Antony and names Ajax star who is 'smarter' than Man United ace

Van Basten tells Man Utd they signed the WRONG Ajax star as he slams Antony

Van Basten baffled by Ten Hag decision to sign ‘confused' Man Utd man over another target

Van Basten: Why I rate Kudus ahead of Man Utd attacker Antony

Marco van Basten hints Manchester United grabbed the WRONG WINGER from Ajax‚ as he insists Mohammed Kudus is 'a much better football player' and 'smarter' than £85.5m man Antony‚ labelling the struggling Brazilian 'confused'

Marco van Basten says new Man Utd target is 'much better' than 'confused' Antony

From Van Basten to Bergkamp: The ultimate Ajax dream team

Man Utd given Weghorst warning by Dutch legend Van Basten

Man Utd boss Ten Hag warned by Van Basten about 'dangerous' Weghorst transfer

'It can become dangerous if you have too many Dutch people!': Marco van Basten sends bizarre warning to Erik ten Hag over pursuit of Wout Weghorst and has 'doubts' over striker being a fit for Man United

Marco van Basten gives verdict on Wout Weghorst's chances at Manchester United

Van Basten questions Man Utd bid for Weghorst; warns against too many Dutch

Agent Colasanto: Pogba should've followed Van Basten example and suspended Juventus salary

What Virgil van Dijk did to four team-mates during Netherlands game proves Marco van Basten wrong

'It's easy to speak from the studio': Virgil van Dijk fires back at Marco van Basten in war of words with the Dutch legend after he blasted the defender's display in the draw with Ecuador‚ saying 'he takes care of NOTHING in the team'

Virgil van Dijk blasts stinging criticism from Holland legend Marco van Basten

Van Dijk bites back after Netherlands legend Van Basten blamed him for Ecuador goal