In somewhat fortuitous fashion, Gini Wijnaldum opened the scoring for Holland in their crunch Nations League clash with France in Rotterdam.
In a do or die match for both sides, it was hosts Holland who would strike first, on the stroke of half time, courtesy of Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum.
A win for Holland would condemn 2014 World Champions Germany to relegation from group A1, while a win for France would see the current World Champions advance to the next stage of the competition.
The opener was the result of a long move, which began on the left hand touchline, with a Dutch throw in, deep in French territory.
After a series of neat exchanges, the ball was floated into the box, intended for the back post and an eager Ryan Babel.
Besiktas man Babel ended up on the ball thanks to a mix up between the French defenders, and unleashed a rasping low drive at goal.
French stopper Hugo Lloris pulled off a great save; he got down quickly to prevent the ball from squirming its way into the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the Tottenham keeper, his save only parried the ball back into the centre of the French penalty area.
The ball fell kindly to an on-rushing Georginio Wijnaldum, who took no time in smashing the ball back from whence in came.
Without the chance to move,Lloris and France could only watch as the ball flew into the bottom corner of the goal.
Holland would carry the narrow lead into the interval, with the referee's whistle bringing the half to a close shortly after.
It remained to be seen then if either side could come out on top in the second period, to take a valuable victory in the Nations League.