Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands celebrates after Simon Poulsen of Denmark scored an own goal on Monday. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Netherlands needed an own-goal to squeak out a 2-0 win over Denmark Monday in Johannesburg in Group E action at the FIFA World Cup.

To watch match highlights, CLICK HERE. To watch the full match, CLICK HERE.

The main story line

With Monday's victory, the Netherlands ran its unbeaten streak in World Cup opening games to seven consecutive matches — the Dutch last lost their first game of the tournament in 1938, to Czechoslovakia.

But they shouldn't pat themselves on the back too much.

With a young and exciting team, the Netherlands has been touted as one of the favourites ahead of this World Cup, with many believing they have a good chance of winning it all. But even though the Dutch enjoyed the majority of possession, they struggled to break through the resolute Danish defence.

The Dutch looked somewhat lacklustre without influential winger Arjen Robben (out with a hamstring injury), but even still, Wesley Sneijder had a quiet game by his high standards. If the Netherlands is to win its first-ever World Cup, it'll have to do a bit better than this.

The winning goal

Tragedy struck the Danes in the 46th minute when Dutch winger Robin van Persie whipped a cross deep into the box from the left wing. Danish defender Simon Busk Poulsen tried to deal with it by heading the ball away, but it deflected off the back of teammate Daniel Agger on its way into the back of the net.

Turning point of the game

See above.

What this result means

The Dutch take the early lead in Group E with three points and probably need only win one of their final two group-stage games to advance to the second round. The Danes have some work to do. A loss or tie in their next match, against Cameroon, might knock them out of the tournament.

Man of the match

Defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong was a bulwark, snuffing out the Danes on the few occasions when they did manage to venture forward. His hard work allowed the Dutch to control the game in midfield.

Goal of the match

In the 85th minute, Sneijder played a lovely pass into the path of Eljero Elia, who used his speed to burst into the box and fire a low, rolling shot on net. Elia's effort hit the post, but Dirk Kuyt was there to pick up the rebound and tap it in from two yards out.

Save of the match

Neither Denmark's Thomas Sorensen nor Maarten Stekelenburg of the Netherlands was called upon to make any critical saves.

The Dutch perspective

"We wanted to play beautiful football but we lost the ball. (But) from time to time you could see how good we can be." — coach Bert Van Marwijk

The Danish perspective

"[The own-goal] was like a bucket of cold water over our heads. Simon Poulsen was one of our better players but he was unlucky. It's one of those things that happens in football." — Denmark coach Morten Olsen

Next up

The Netherlands takes on Japan in Durban on Saturday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 a.m. ET), while Denmark meets Cameroon on the same day in Port Elizabeth (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 2 p.m. ET).