Forget about Vincent van Gogh: a new Dutch artist has emerged at the 2006 World Cup and his name is Arjen Robben.

One of the most dangerous wingers in soccer today, Robben was scintillating in leading the Netherlands to a 1-0 victory over Serbia and Montenegro on Sunday in a key Group C game from Leipzig, Germany.

Arjen Robben of the Netherlands celebrates scoring against Serbia and Montenegro on Sunday at the World Cup in Germany.
(Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Robben, a regular starter for English Premiership champions Chelsea, is renowned for creating chances for teammates with his direct and probing runs down the right side of the field. But on Sunday, the Dutch trickster was the goal-scoring hero for his country.

"I was lucky he was on our side today," Netherlands coach Marco van Basten said of Robben. "We always create a lot of chances, but not a lot of goals."

After coming close to scoring early, the Dutch took the lead in the 18th minute on a brilliantly executed play that capitalized on Robben's blinding speed and precise dribbling skills.

Mark van Bommel fed a long pass to Robin van Persie who played a perfect lob into the open space behind the defenders, allowing Robben to beat the last defender and cap off a fantastic run by coolly slipping the ball under Serbian goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric.

It was clockwork precision from the Dutch attackers against a steely Serbian defence that gave up only one goal in 10 qualifying games, but looked flat-footed on the play.

"We make one mistake and we are punished for it," said Serbia-Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic.

The Dutch dominated possession and used their considerable attacking flair to toy with the granite defence of the Serbs.  Robben asked serious questions of the Serbians with his piercing runs and by spraying deadly accurate passes to teammates in attacking positions.

With his team lacking spark and invention, coach Petkovic took action in the 43rd minute when he substituted defender Nenad Djordjevic for midfielder Ognjen Koroman.

The move paid dividends as the previously sleepy Serbs awoke in the second half and started to show signs of attacking vigour.

Koroman was at the heart of the Serbian revival, setting up teammates with scoring opportunities and unleashing dangerous shots towards the Dutch goal.

The Netherlands hit back several times and Robben nearly scored a second goal in the 54th minute off a free kick but this time his scoring touch deserted him.

Cheered on a by a sea of orange-clad Dutch fans in what turned into an end-to-end game, the Netherlands withstood the Serbian surge in the final 20 minutes — goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar made several big saves down the stretch — to hold on for the victory.

Koroman was one of several Serb players who criticized coach Petkovic's defensive tactics.

"I don't see any logic starting an opener at the World Cup with such a closed formation," said the midfielder. "If we attacked them from the start, we could have scored. We also might have lost by several goals, but at least it wouldn't be in such a cowardly fashion."

Serbia and Montenegro's next game is against Argentina on Friday in Gelsenkirchen, while the Netherlands takes on the Ivory Coast in Stuttgart.

Argentina defeated the Ivory Coast 2-1 in Hamburg on Saturday.

IMPACT PLAYERS:

The Netherlands: Arjen Robben — Given free reign to roam all over the field by coach Marco van Basten, the Dutch winger responded by terrorizing the Serbian defence with his great speed, timely runs and creativity. He also scored the game-winning goal.

Serbia and Montenegro: Ognjen Koroman — Serbia was a completely different team when they introduced the attacking midfielder into the game in the 43rd minute. Lifeless in the first half, the Serbs came to life in the closing 45 minutes thanks to Koroman inventive play.

with files from Associated Press