Netherlands into dream Final.. Dutch beat Uuruguay

6:30 PM GMT, July 6, 2010
Green Point Stadium





Uruguay
2 - 3
Netherlands

Holland will have their chance to exorcise the ghosts of World Cup finals past on Sunday after beating Uruguay 3-2.


Goals from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben secured a semi-final victory over Uruguay in Cape Town and a chance to avenge defeats on the game's biggest stage in 1974 and 1978.

Bert van Marwijk's side may not delight like the 'Total Football' Dutch teams from the playing days of Johan Cruyff.

But having waited so long, theOranje will care little for that as they prepare to bring their own glow to Johannesburg in a meeting with either Spain or Germany.

Captain Van Bronckhorst brilliantly put his side in front before former Manchester United star Diego Forlan levelled with a goal that ultimately was not quite enough, even though Maximiliano Pereira's strike gave a glimmer of hope in stoppage time.

Scoring Summary

Uruguay	Netherlands
Diego Forlán (41')	Giovanni Van Bronckhorst(18')
Maxi Pereira (90')	Wesley Sneijder (70')
	Arjen Robben (73')

Match Stats

Uruguay

Netherlands

12(6)	Shots (on Goal)	11(7)
15	Fouls	16
4	Corner Kicks	5
4	Offsides	5
47%	Time of Possession	53%
2	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
4	Saves	4

Match Information

Stadium:	Green Point Stadium
Attendance:	62,479
Match Time:	18:30 GMT
Official(s):	Ravshan Irmatov

Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder 

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder - It was not the most vintage of performances, and he needed a large slice of luck for his goal, but the midfielder once again showed the reason why Manchester United are reportedly planning a £25 million offer for the Inter Milan playmaker. Arjen Robben's final execution just let him down meaning Sneijder picks up the award.

Uruguay verdict: Although Uruguay set themselves up as a strong unit, with two men on Robben, they lacked a cutting edge up front with Luis Suarez suspended. Substituting Diego Forlan with six minutes to go said plenty about how Oscar Tabarez had run out of ideas, despite needing two goals in such a short space of time. Tabarez may wish he still had Forlan on the pitch as his side tried to get a late, late leveller.

Netherlands verdict: The Dutch may have stuttered at times but they were the better side. That said, Netherlands still have room for improvement ahead of a World Cup final against either Germany or Spain. Robben may be allowed a little more freedom in that game, which could hold the key to the Dutch triumphing for the first time.

Could do better: Maarten Stekelenburg - Despite having a good tournament before this game, the Dutch No.1 looked far from assured in this match. He was caught out by Diego Forlan for Uruguay's first, was caught in no man's land early in the second half and let Maxi Pereira's late effort past him far too easily. He will have to be on much better form on Sunday.

Stat attack: The last time a team scored three in a World Cup semi-final was 1982, when West Germany and France drew 3-3. (West Germany won on penalties).