Netherlands defeat Uruguay 3-2 in World Cup 2010 semi-final

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands celebrates his magnificent strike against Uruguay in the World Cup semi-final. Photo: Lars Baron
Source: Getty Images

Again this final participation many years Netherlands defeat Uruguay 3-2 in World Cup 2010 semi-final

THE Netherlands have stormed into their first World Cup final since 1978, beating Uruguay 3-2 to set up a title clash against either Germany or Spain.

Two goals inside three second-half minutes, from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, steered the Dutch into the decider and shattered South American hopes.

Veteran Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave his side the lead on 18 minutes with a stunning 30m strike before Diego Forlan produced an equally memorable goal four minutes before half-time to keep Uruguay alive.

Maxi Pereira got one back for Uruguay in injury time but it was too little too late.

The last time Holland made it this far was 32 years ago, when they fell at the last hurdle to hosts Argentina 3-1 after extra-time.

Coach Bert van Marwijk will be desperate to avoid a similar fate in the final on Sunday as the Dutch bid to lift the World Cup for the first time in their history.


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"Of course I am very, very happy and proud that such a small country is in the final of a world championship, it is hard to comprehend," van Marwijk said.

"It is something I started working on two years ago and I always said that to achieve something you really have to believe in it and do it. It's been a long process."

Sneijder, who has been one of the stars of the tournament, was over the moon. "This is unforgettable," he said. "It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that."

Despite losing, Uruguay did their small nation proud with coach Oscar Tabarez guiding them to their first semi-final in 40 years.

It was a massive achievement for a country with a population of just 3.4 million, and they must now put their disappointment behind them for a third-place play-off on Saturday.

Tabarez said Forlan played throughout the match with an injury and he was finally forced to substitute him in the 85th minute.

"From the first minute he had a problem. I'm not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn't lost," Tabarez said. "He was injured and could not continue."

"The Dutch can create a goal from any situation," added Tabarez, whose team had conceded only two goals heading into the match. "These were beautiful goals for football but rather unexpected for us."

Both teams were forced to make changes with players suspended and in chilly conditions at Green Point Stadium it was the Dutch who adapted the best.

They had a decent chance as early as the third minute when Robben whipped in a teasing cross which Fernando Muslera punched straight to Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the box, but the Liverpool winger skied his shot.

The dangerous pair created another opportunity soon after when Kuyt sent in a cross that the Bayern Munich star headed at the keeper.

With the pressure on, it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and it was their hugely experienced captain who did it with a contender for goal of the tournament.

The 35-year-old van Bronckhorst picked up the ball some 35 yards out and let rip with a stunning drive that tore into the top corner of the net past the outstretched fingertips of Muslera.

It should have been 2-0 on the half-hour when Arsenal's Robin Van Persie made an excellent turn to pick out Robben on the edge of the box, but Martin Caceres made a timely intervention.

Uruguay were struggling to create openings before Forlan produced his own piece of magic with a left-foot screamer that swerved past keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who should have done better.

Coppied by 2010 News Limited.