The 2006-08 period saw Arjen Robben at his bewildering best, famously spearheading the Netherlands to a victory in their 2006 World Cup opener with a clinical winning goal against Serbia and Montenegro. His talismanic influence earned him two Man of the Match awards during the tournament, as his explosive speed and trademark technical footwork solidified his status as one of the most devastating wingers in world football. Even while navigating a transition to Real Madrid, Robben’s world-class ability to dictate play and provide nostalgic moments of individual brilliance remained the creative heartbeat of the Oranje attack throughout a successful qualifying campaign.