An own goal by Daniel Agger and a late Dirk Kuyt effort helped Holland begin their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Denmark at Soccer City.

Both goals came in the second half after an assured first period of defending by the Scandinavians, who constantly thwarted a Dutch attack which appeared short of ideas without the injured Arjen Robben.

But the resistance was broken less than a 60 seconds into the second half, when Robin van Persie's cross from the left was headed on by Simon Poulsen - seemingly for a corner - but struck the back of Agger and went in. Kuyt doubled Holland's advantage five minutes from the end to ensure the highly-fancied Oranje a positive start in Group E.