AP

Russia had the right Dutch coach. And the better team.

The long shot Russians, led by coach Guus Hiddink, scored two goals in extra time Saturday to advance to the semifinals of the European Championship with a 3-1 upset win over the Netherlands.

It was a sweet victory for Hiddink, who enhanced his reputation of getting lesser known teams far in tournaments. The coach guided South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, and he took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.

“The better Dutchman, our coach, won today,” said Andrei Arshavin, who set up the winning goal and scored the clincher in extra time.

Dimitry Torbinski and Arshavin scored within five minutes of each other in the second half of extra time. Roman Pavlyuchenko also scored for Russia, while Ruud van Nistelrooy scored for the Dutch in the 86th.

All three quarterfinals have been won by group runners-up. Russia will play the winner of Sunday’s match between Spain and Italy next Thursday.

“What the boys did tonight, their commitment, to outplay tactically, physically a Dutch team—after the game I don’t want to talk in big words, but it’s a miracle,” Hiddink said. “It’s super what the guys did. Super.”