He was a pure goal scorer, a killer in the penalty box and the most effective striker of his generation in the 1980s. He scored in every way and at any time. Nobody could position himself like he did, even though he was often up against a five-man defence with someone man-marking him. Vandenbergh played in the European Championships of 1980 and 1984 and the 1982 and 1986 World Cup. He became a legend with his goal in the opening match of the 1982 World Cup against defending champion Argentina.