WORLD CUP 2010: Uruguay 2 Holland 3 - Sneijder and Robben help Dutch have the final say
By MATT LAWTON Chief Football Correspondent reports from Green Point Stadium
Riding high: John Heitinga gives scorer Wesley Sneijder a lift as they celebrate the second goal
There were cries of injustice at the final whistle from the same Uruguay players, believe it or not, who shamelessly celebrated Ghana's demise in the quarter-final; who heralded Luis Suarez as a national hero for what he then dared proclaim a moment of divine intervention.
Without the suspended Suarez's 'Hand of God' to provide extra defensive cover on the goal-line, however, Oscar Tabarez's side were soundly beaten here.
They complained bitterly to the officials, citing what appeared to be a cynical, off-the-ball challenge from Mark van Bommel on Walter Gargano in the build-up to Holland's opening goal and a possible penalty when Giovanni van Bronckhorst caught Edinson Cavani.
Sheer joy: Holland captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrates his stunning opener as fellow goalscorers Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder look on
They also seemed to think a shot from Egidio Arevalo was blocked by a hand in the dying seconds, although replays suggested they were mistaken about that one.
Ugly scenes nevertheless marked the end of the game. But after what happened in the previous round, Africa was not about to weep for a South American side that showed not a hint of humility towards the side they eliminated in the last eight, even if they deserved credit for performing beyond all expectations at this tournament.
Brazil and Argentina were supposed to be in the semi-finals. Not this well organised, if rather devious, Uruguay team. This time they lost to superior opponents.
The Dutch started nervously, failing to build on a thunderbolt of an opening strike from Van Bronckhorst and so allowing Uruguay to equalise thanks to yet another goal from Diego Forlan and another goalkeeping error. But they finished in style - to secure Holland's first appearance in a World Cup final in 32 years - not least in the form of the decisive goal from Arjen Robben.
All over: Arjen Robben rises to head home the killer third for the Dutch
Robben divides opinion when it comes to his performances but the Bayern Munich winger last night scored a goal of exceptional quality. Not just because he unleashed a header that was so perfectly placed but because, from a floated cross by Dirk Kuyt, came a finish of extraordinary power.
From the player renowned for histrionics came another chapter in the history of Holland's football, and a chance to contest a final on an equal footing for the first time. In 1974 and 1978 they had to face the tournament hosts. Not this time, though.
If they are to beat Germany or Spain, they will probably have to play better than this. But in players like Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder, who continued his remarkable season with a fourth goal of this World Cup, they certainly have a chance. They have already conquered Brazil, after all.
Breakthrough: Sneijder fires the second goal with the help of a deflection
They opened the scoring last night with an 18th-minute shot from Van Bronckhorst which so spectacular that there was a feeling even two goalkeepers would have struggled to stop it.
The Jabulani ball left the Holland captain's left foot like a bullet, flying straight and hitting 61mph en route to the back of the Uruguay net.
But Fernando Muslera might well wince at the fact that he was beaten from 35 yards by an effort that, had he responded quicker and got his positioning right, should have been dealt with more successfully.
As it was, he got a slight touch on the ball before seeing it fly in off his left-hand post and so challenge Maicon's effort against North Korea for goal of the tournament.
Back in the game: Forlan unleashes his own thunderbolt to bring the scores level
Bert van Marwijk's side made the mistake, though, of sitting on what remained the slimmest of advantages, and duly paid for their complacency shortly before the break when Forlan became the first player since Lothar Matthaus in 1990 to score three goals from outside the box at a World Cup.
Maarten Stekelenburg had sent Suarez a text saying his Ajax teammate deserved the Lev Yashin Award for goalkeeper of the tournament after his red card save against Ghana.
Well, Stekelenburg can certainly rule himself out of the running after the way he failed to deal with a relatively simple 25-yard curling shot from Forlan. It was a real shocker, in the Robert Green class.
There was one crucial difference. While not one England player went to Green to console him during England's encounter with the USA, Van Bronckhorst acted just as a captain should and helped his team-mate to his feet.
It amounted to a major wake-up call for the Dutch. They had enjoyed the majority of the possession but there was a lack of urgency in their play. Van Persie had a quiet opening half and so did Sneijder against a Uruguay defence that had conceded just two goals en route to this tense semi-final.
With Rafael van der Vaart in midfield in the second half, however, the Dutch improved, two goals in three minutes after the interval finally propelling them towards Johannesburg's Soccer City.
Sneijder struck in the 70th minute, albeit with the help of a slight deflection, and the appearance of Van Persie in what an angry Tabarez declared was an offside position. Replays seemed to suggest he was level.
That terrific header from Robben then followed, and in second-half stoppage time a goal from Maximiliano Pereira that could yet cost Stekelenburg his place for an all-European final.
Holland's only other problem, apart from their goalkeeper, is accommodation. The country's football association had only booked their hotel until July 5, so now FIFA must find them somewhere to stay in the days leading up to Sunday's final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1292592/WORLD-CUP-2010-Uruguay-2-Holland-3--Sneijder-Robben-make-final-difference-Dutch.html#ixzz0sx8dtmui
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