Rampant Netherlands produced a masterclass attack for the second time in four days to bury France in Berne and seal their qualification for the quarterfinals of Euro 2008.Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring and Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder added another after the break as Marco van Basten as-sank the French team in the same way as did world champions Italy here on Monday.
Les Bleus' consolation came through Thierry Henry in his return to the team, but even its venerable defence could not handle the pace and verve of his opponents' attacks.
Italy meet France on Tuesday, but both could be eliminated if Romania, who are second in the group, the defeat of Holland in the same night.
The Dutch, meanwhile, must now cope with the tag of favourites of the tournament after eliminating the two finalists of the 2006 World Cup in sensational style, scoring seven goals in the process.
They are bound to feel at home because of the Oranje army of fans who had invaded the city centre of Berne during the day, and then the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf at night.
His confidence was sky high after his impressive victory over the Italians, and Kuyt's opener after just eight minutes helped them solve.
This is a simple goal of the species France rarely match, Rafael van der Vaart sending a corner to the right of Kuyt and beat Florent Malouda in the air to head home the next post.
France coach Raymond Domenech, who had returned to a 4-2-3-1 formation in what Patrice Evra, Sidney Govou and equipping Henry again back to one side, have been alarmed by defending the goal.
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Equally alarming for him would have been the confident swagger that had returned to the Dutch team, whose slick passing game is a joy to watch.
They raised all sorts of problems from the outset, Sneijder shooting a little more in 15 minutes and Kuyt then poking a shot across the open bar, when in the area after they pounce on a weak header Lilian Thuram.
France had been criticized back home for his laborious performance against Romania in Zurich but we upped the pace and has created a host of half chances in the final 20 minutes of the half.
His first sight of goal came when Govou near-post effort drew an excellent instinctive save from Edwin van der Sar.
Three more opportunities fell into French in the space of a few minutes - Malouda, Govou and Franck Ribéry everything decent stops van der Sar with a low units.
Henry curling wide from 20 yards with the last chance for half but at the beginning of the second period, he thought he had won his side a penalty.
Govou driven by cross-shot was deflected into his path and the striker of Barcelona goalbound effort was blocked by the hand of Andre Ooij.
Referee Herbert Fandel was obviously Unsight and only gave a corner, much to the chagrin of the French.
Henry had an immediate opportunity to exact his revenge but having been put clean through the 53 th minute Malouda in the spectacular pass, the former Arsenal captain sent his way lobby.
His profligacy was punished by the hour mark, when two of Holland's second half substitutes, Robben and Van Persie, combined to put the Dutch later.
The goal originated from some sublime skills of Ruud van Nistelrooy on the touchline and his Real Madrid team-mate Robben took the ball.
His perfect cross from the left found van Persie, whose volley crept over the line despite the efforts of France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.
Henry finally got his goal in the 70 th minute when glanced home a cross from the right by Willy Sagnol but, in seconds, Netherlands Robben restored the two-goal cushion.
The extreme left-ran to Sneijder through ball down the left channel, won the same means against the courtyard of Thuram and took home a powerful drive from a tight angle on the roof of the net.
The impressive van Nistelrooy received almost the same in the scoresheet seven minutes with a header insolent, but will be recovered out by Coupet.
It is left to add spice to Sneijder, his superb curling shot from 25 meters to give Coupet no chance.
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