Patrick Kluivert

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kluivert made his full international debut on 16 November 1994 in a European qualifier against the Czech Republic, replacing Youri Mulder after 13 minutes of a 0–0 draw in Rotterdam. In his second match, on 29 March 1995, he replaced Ronald de Boer after 77 minutes, and seven minutes later scored his first international goal to wrap up a 4–0 home qualifying win over Malta. In December 1995, Kluivert scored both goals in the Netherlands' 2–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying play-off win over the Republic of Ireland at Anfield, to qualify the Oranje for UEFA Euro 1996. Kluivert missed most of the tournament with a knee injury, but he scored against the host nation England, enabling the Netherlands to qualify for the knock-out round over Scotland on goals scored. There, they lost in a penalty shootout to France after a 0–0 draw.

In Their Own Story

At the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Kluivert was sent off against Belgium by referee Pierluigi Collina, after elbowing Lorenzo Staelens. He made amends when selected to play against Argentina in the quarter-finals of the same tournament, where he scored the opening goal. In the next round, he scored a late equalising goal from a header to draw his team level with Brazil in the semi-final, although the Netherlands went on to lose the penalty shootout. At UEFA Euro 2000 held in the Netherlands and Belgium, Kluivert scored a hat-trick in the 6–1 quarter-final demolition of Yugoslavia; he was originally credited with four goals, but the third was later re-attributed as an own goal by Yugoslavia's Dejan Govedarica, after Kluivert admitted not getting a touch on Paul Bosvelt's cross. Had all four goals stood, Kluivert would have been the first player to score four times in a European Championship match. The Dutch were eliminated in the semi-finals by Italy on penalties; he missed one of their two spot-kicks in normal time, but did score in the penalty shoot-out. With five goals in as many games, he claimed the Golden Boot jointly with Savo Milošević. Kluivert would once again enter UEFA Euro 2004 wearing the famous #9 jersey for his country, with the Dutch reaching the semi-finals of the tournament.

Reader's Guide

Patrick Kluivert played for the Netherlands national team from 1994 to 2004. He made his debut on 16 November 1994 against the Czech Republic. He scored 40 goals in 79 appearances, making him the fourth highest goalscorer for the Oranje. He played in three European Championships (1996, 2000, 2004) and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. At Euro 2000, he was joint top scorer with five goals, including a hat-trick against Yugoslavia in the quarter-finals. He was sent off against Belgium at the 1998 World Cup, but scored against Argentina in the quarter-finals and equalised against Brazil in the semi-final. He was named in the FIFA 100 in 2004. Kluivert was not called up for the 2006 FIFA World Cup squad by coach Marco van Basten, partly due to persistent injuries during the 2005–06 season.

Did You Know?

• Kluivert is the fourth highest goalscorer for the Netherlands national team, with 40 goals in 79 appearances.
• He was joint top scorer at Euro 2000 with five goals, sharing the Golden Boot with Savo Milošević.
• Kluivert scored both goals in the Netherlands' 2–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying play-off win over the Republic of Ireland at Anfield.
• He was sent off against Belgium at the 1998 FIFA World Cup by referee Pierluigi Collina for elbowing Lorenzo Staelens.
• Kluivert was named in the FIFA 100 in 2004, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers chosen by Pelé.