Dutch lead Slovakia 1-0 after 30 minutes of round of 16 match at World Cup

Dutch lead Slovakia 1-0 after 30 minutes

DURBAN, South Africa — Arjen Robben scored to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead Monday over Slovakia after 30 minutes of their second-round World Cup match.

Robben, making his first start at the tournament, beat two defenders and swung in a low shot in the 18th minute for the opening goal.

Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder had squandered earlier chances for the Netherlands.

The Slovaks tried to contain the Dutch in midfield and tested their goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with long-range shots. But early tries by Erik Jendrisek and Marek Hamsik were off-target.

Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss fielded his son, also Vladimir, to replace suspended midfielder Zdeno Strba.