Two more games done, two more left and now, the scene is set, after two mouth-watering and gripping semi-finals. Whatever happens tomorrow night in Soccer City, we will have a new name on the FIFA World Cup trophy. Here is a round-up of how Holland and Spain managed to make the final of the greatest show on earth, in midweek.
Tuesday 6th July: Uruguay 2-3 Holland
Holland reached their first World Cup final in 32 years, after a hard-fought 3-2 win against the surprise package of the tournament, Uruguay in Cape Town. With the Dutch looking short of ideas infront of goal, they turned to a spectacular long-range effort from Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. The Dutch skipper, who is retiring from international football after these finals, launched a rasping drive from 30 yards out on 19 minutes, which no goalkeeper in the world would stop. A resolute Uruguay equalised before half-time, when Maarten Stelkenberg failed to deal with a swerving left-foot shot, by Diego Forlan. With the game looking set for extra-time, the Dutch scored twice in three minutes, to take the game away from their opponents. First, Wesley Snejider’s 5th goal of this tournament, which was allowed to stand, despite Robin Van Persie looking like, he was in an offside position. Moments afterwards, Arjen Robben’s deft header from a Dirk Kuyt cross looked to have settled the outcome. Despite the absence of Luis Suarez through suspension, Uruguay continued to fight on, and in time added on, Maxi Pereira pulled one back, to ensure a dramatic and nail-biting finish. However, the Dutch held on to set up an all-European final. For five goals, this was a cagey semi-final, with moments of magic and some will argue that Holland hasn’t played their most attractive football ever. However, you don’t reach a World Cup final, having won 6 matches out of 6 by accident.
Wednesday 7th July: Germany 0-1 Spain
In an intriguing match in Durban, Spain reached their first ever World Cup final, after recording a narrow and probably, surprising win over the tournament favourites, Germany. After exposing the frailties of the England and Argentina defences, the German counter-attack was tamed to perfection by the well-organised Spanish defence. By keeping the likes of Meszut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger quiet, service to Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski was rather limited. Spain had the better chances, and with fifteen minutes remaining, Xavi’s wonderful corner was met by the Barcelona skipper Carlos Puyol. Puyol, a centre-back by trade and having only scored twice in his distinguished international career before, powered a bullet of a header past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before he could even see it. For Germany, this was a step too far for their youngsters, but they will be back and are bound to only get stronger in the years to come. For Spain, the opportunity to become European and World champions, and become the first side to win the tournament, having lost their first match of the finals, ironically in Durban to Switzerland back on June 16th. The stage is set for a fantastic match-up with the Dutch tomorrow night.
3RD PLACE PLAYOFF: Uruguay v Germany
(Port Elizabeth) ITV1 Tonight at 7.30pm
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL: Holland v Spain
(Soccer City, Johannesburg) ITV1/BBC1 Tomorrow night from 6.30pm (Kick-Off at 7.30pm)
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