World Cup 2010 Semi-Final: Netherlands 3-2 Uruguay

Updated: 07 Jul, 2010 • 0 • min read

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The Netherlands defeated Uruguay 3-2 in the 2010 World Cup semi-finals in Cape Town to earn a first place in the final since the famous Total Football teams of 1974 and 1978.

Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst opened the scoring on 18 minutes with an extraordinary 40-yard effort which arrowed into the top corner and gave Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera not a prayer of keeping it out.

Uruguay drew level just before the break when Diego Forlán collected the ball 35 yards out before turning and curling a neat left-foot shot straight at Maarten Stekelenburg, who should have made an easy save.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Netherlands regained the lead as Wesley Sneijder's shot from the edge of the area was deflected by Maxi Pereira and past Muslera.

There was more joy for the Dutch supporters just three minutes later as Arjen Robben found the back of the net with a neat headed effort into the bottom right-hand corner.

Pereira hit back for Uruguay in injury time but the Dutch weathered the late Uruguayan pressure, and the Orange-clad fans at Green Point Stadium erupted at the final whistle.

The Oranje's victory seals their passage to the decider for the first time since 1978, where they will take on the winner of Wednesday's other semi-final clash between Germany and Spain.

Lineups:

Netherlands: Maarten Stekelenburg; Khalid Boulahrouz, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst; Mark van Bommel, Demy de Zeeuw (Rafael van der Vaart, 46); Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben (Eljero Elia, 89); Robin van Persie

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Godín, Mauricio Victorino, Martín Cáceres; Diego Pérez, Walter Gargano, Egidio Arévalo, Álvaro Pereira (Sebastián Abreu, 78); Diego Forlán (Sebastián Fernández, 85), Edinson Cavani

Statistics: