The Oranje defeated Uruguay in the first semi-final to win a place in the 2010 World Cup finals. The Dutch won by a score of 3 goals to 2, although the score is a little misleading.

The Dutch took the lead early in the match, thanks to an amazing long distance left foot strike by skipper Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the 18th minute. It was only van Bronckhorst 6th international goal, and his first in a World Cup final (he was there in 1998 although he did not play, and in 2006). This goal will be a contender for goal of the World Cup 2010 without a doubt.

However, before the end of the half, in the 41st minute more precisely, none other than Uruguay’s talisman Diego Forlan scored with an almost equally superb shot from distance. At half time, the teams were tied 1-1.

In the second half, Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands’ hero so far in this World Cup, scored his 5th goal of the competition in the 70th minute. Three minutes later, Arjen Robben made it 3-1 for the Dutch with a header in the net from a Dirk Kuyt cross.

Uruguay fought ’till the end, and were able to snatch a late goal in the 2nd minute of injury time, thanks to well played spot kick, that gave Maximiliano Pereira a screen shot that beat the Dutch keeper.

It made for an enternaining last 2 minutes of injury time, where the referree didn’t seem to want to blow his whistle, but it was just too late for the South American team.

Netherlands will now face the winner of tonight’s match between Germany and Spain. While Uruguay will face the loser to battle for third place.

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