The Spanish became the eighth champion of world football thanks to a decisive extra-time winner from Andrés ...]]> Spain has won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a 1-0 victory at extra-time over the Netherlands at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday 11 July 2010.

The Spanish became the eighth champion of world football thanks to a decisive extra-time winner from Andrés Iniesta to end years of disappointment for La Furia Roja.

Spain started brightly and couldn’t believe it didn’t score in the fifth minute following a perilously dangerous free-kick by Xavi.

The Spanish midfielder swerved in an out-swinging set-piece that Sergio Ramos headed strongly to the right of Maarten Stekelenburg; but the Dutch goalkeeper produced an inspired save when the ball otherwise appeared destined for the back of the net.

Following an enervated effort by Holland’s Dirk Kuyt, Sergio Ramos threatened to open his FIFA World Cup goal-scoring account with a fierce low centre; yet Dutch defender, Johnny Heitinga, was on-hand to clear the danger in the 11^th minute.

From the resulting corner, Sergio Ramos was again involved floating in another deep cross from the right, with David Villa generating a ferocious volley that rippled the side-netting.

Spain continued to dominate possession in the opening stages of the match, but Wesley Sneijder came close again for the Netherlands on the 18^th minute as Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, held an awkward strike from the Dutchman’s free-kick.

The game then struggled for fluency as the tackles came flying in amid either side being cautious of its opponent on the break; and with neither the Netherlands nor Spain keeping control of possession for extended periods of time in midfield, five yellow cards were unsurprisingly produced in the first half.

The Dutch did have one final chance to break the deadlock before half-time when Robin van Persie fed Arjen Robben on the edge of the area.

Robben suddenly cut inside his marker before rifling in a low shot that Casillas tipped round his left-hand post.

While Spain was more-or-less dictating proceedings in the match, the Netherlands was arguably enjoying the better chances as the ever-present threat of the Dutch playmakers was there for the world to see.

Holland began to benefit from more of the ball in the second half as Robben again tested Casillas from the right wing with another skidding drive that required saving on the 52-minute mark.

Xavi didn’t look like scoring from an off-target free-kick three minutes later, but the Netherlands indeed should have scored in the 62^nd minute through a fantastic opportunity from Robben.

Sneijder retained possession in midfield and, on the turn, threaded a beautiful through-ball to Robben that split the two Spanish central defenders.

With only Casillas between Robben and the goal, the Dutch winger darted a sidefooted effort on-target; but all Robben could produce was a stunning save from the Spanish ’keeper, who excellently extended his right foot to deny the Dutch winger.

Following a crucial block by Giovanni van Bronckhorst from a goal-bound David Villa strike within the six-yard box, Joan Capdevila tried his luck dipping in a shot from the resultant corner; but Stekelenburg made the save with ease.

Spain was increasingly looking like it could manufacture a winner in normal time, and on this occasion, it should have 13 minutes before time as Sergio Ramos somehow headed over the bar from a Xavi corner when unopposed deep inside the Dutch defence.

A critical moment in the match then ensued for English referee, Howard Webb, when Robben outpaced Spain’s last defender in Carles Puyol from a van Persie pass on the 82^nd minute.

With Robben striving to be one-on-one with Casillas again, the Dutchman instead appeared to be held back by Puyol as Casillas smartly gathered the ball; but the referee stood firm deciding that Puyol’s challenge was indeed legal.

Five minutes into extra-time, the game sparked into life when Stekelenburg brilliantly thwarted Cesc Fabregas’ on-target attempt when one-on-one with the Dutch ’keeper; and with the Netherlands winning a corner from the counter moments later, Holland’s Joris Mathijsen did well to fashion a header which, unfortunately for the Dutch, just sailed over the bar.

Cesc Fabregas’ influence from the substitutes’ bench was proving vital, but the breakthrough still couldn’t come for the Spanish as a Jesus Navas effort was deflected away from goal; while Fabregas himself fired wide after his blistering run carved up the Dutch defence.

In the final 15 minutes of extra-time, Heitinga was sent off following a professional foul on Iniesta.

In reality however, Heitinga, who was booked earlier in the match, had to take one for the team in pulling back Iniesta, who seemed to be in on-goal for the Spanish.

Ultimately, in the 116^th minute, Spain controversially took the lead when a blazing run from Navas eventually fell to Fabregas who set up Iniesta in the area to fire home a sensational volley across Stekelenburg.

However, the Oranje was relentlessly fuming when a goal-kick was given to La Furia Roja when a corner should’ve been awarded to the Dutch prior to the Spanish goal.

The Netherlands insisted in instantly unearthing a last-gasp equaliser, but in truth, it never really had time to do so, as the players from Spain engaged in jubilant celebrations following the final whistle.

For the Dutch, it had to settle with its third runners-up placing after tournament-final defeats back in 1974 and 1978 to West Germany and Argentina respectively.

Yet, as for the Spanish, it could finally show the world what it was capable, with the best generation of Spanish players producing the best trophy in world football in 2010 – Spain’s first FIFA World Cup.

Germany came from a goal down in the second half to secure a spot on the podium following goals ...]]> Germany has claimed third place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with an action-packed 3-2 victory over Uruguay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Germany came from a goal down in the second half to secure a spot on the podium following goals to Thomas Müller, Marcell Jansen and Sami Khedira which cancelled out strikes on either side of half-time by Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan.

Uruguay generated an early statement of intent following yellow cards to Germany’s Dennis Aogo and Cacau in the first five minutes, with Forlan hitting a fiercely curling free-kick just over the bar from what was a dangerous position.

Germany then settled immediately fashioning its first chance in the tenth minute from a corner as Arne Friedrich rose above two Uruguayan defenders to fire a close-range header onto the crossbar.

As expected, the match was already threatening to break open with devastation in the early stages; and indeed, it was Germany who opened up proceedings in the 19^th minute through Müller.

From a previously blocked attempt, the ball fell invitingly for Bastian Schweinsteiger, who sized up a shot from well outside the area.

With Schweinsteiger’s strike erratically swerving and dipping, Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, misread the flight of the ball parrying it straight into the path of Müller, who made no mistake from ten yards out with a rather straightforward sidefooted effort.

Uruguay wasn’t without its moments however and it equalised in brilliant fashion on the 28-minute mark after Schweinsteiger was brilliantly dispossessed by Diego Perez.

Perez subsequently slid a pass to Uruguayan striker, Luis Suarez, who bolted towards the German defence before supplying Cavani with the opportunity to slot the ball past German goalkeeper, Hans-Jörg Butt, from close-range.

Uruguay then had a fabulous chance to take the lead three minutes before the break when Suarez sprung the offside from a clever through-ball by Forlan; but with Suarez bereft of options when advancing into the area, he inevitably chose to shoot firing a low drive just wide of the mark from a somewhat acute angle.

The Uruguayans were clearly in the mood following the resumption of play and within three minute of the restart, Butt needed to make an instinctive double save to deny La Celeste from stealing the lead off of the Germans.

Firstly, Cavani broke the lines only to be thwarted by Butt when one-on-one with the German ’keeper; and with the ball staying in play, Cavani subsequently fed Suarez who drew a wonderful one-handed block from Butt – yet the shot was probably going wide anyway.

The South Americans continued to terrorise the Germans, and it was Egidio Arevalo who played a spectacular part in Uruguay’s second goal from his meaty challenge on Jansen.

As Arevalo won the ball back for Uruguay, he exchanged passes with Suarez down the right flank before crossing for Forlan to thump a sumptuous volley home on the bounce, which left Butt rooted to the spot.

Germany didn’t panic and levelled the scores five minutes later as a deep centre from the right wing by Jerome Boateng was headed into an empty net by Jansen.

It must be said however that Muslera was at fault for the goal failing to deal with Boateng’s centre; and to rub salt into the wound for the Uruguayan ’keeper, Jansen appeared to know little about the header.

Following a long-range Suarez effort that Butt acrobatically pummelled away in the 62^nd minute, Forlan extracted a smart smothering stop from Butt three minutes later as the Atletico Madrid striker attempted to lift the ball over the German veteran from the tightest of angles.

Subsequent to a sustained amount of pressure on the Uruguayan goal by the Germans after the Forlan attempt, Stefan Kiessling produced a goal-bound strike on the 75^th minute; however, it was directed straight at Muslera who competently prevented the shot with aplomb.

Germany unsurprisingly retook the lead in the 82^nd minute from a corner that the Uruguayan defence didn’t successfully clear.

With the Jabulani pinballing in every direction just outside the six-yard box, Sami Khedira was Johnny-on-the-spot looping a firm header over Muslera and just inside the far post to make it 3-2.

Die Nationalmannschaft sensed the opportunity to further extend its advantage when Boateng’s drive was well-held by Muslera, but there was one more piece of drama left in this footballing extravaganza.

In the midst of the match looking well out of Uruguay’s reach going into injury-time, the South Americans won a free-kick in Diego Forlan territory during the very last minute; and up stepped Forlan with anticipation as he cannoned the set-piece off of the crossbar with the last kick of the game, with Butt seemingly beaten.

It was tough on the Uruguayans who performed so admirably throughout the tournament; but with a youthful German side which has so much more to offer in the future, both countries can leave the 2010 FIFA World Cup with their heads held high.

Following an entertaining tournament with new twists and turns emerging from every match, the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been whittled down to ...]]> A new country will be crowned world champions of football when the Netherlands meets Spain at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg tonight.

Following an entertaining tournament with new twists and turns emerging from every match, the 2010 FIFA World Cup has been whittled down to just two teams, with an eighth winner of football’s most prestigious trophy the inevitable outcome.

The Netherlands and Spain will contest the 2010 FIFA World Cup final; two European powerhouses in search of the same quest for glory, but with contrasting paths of reaching the ultimate fixture in South Africa.

The Netherlands have overwhelmed all that have come before it by removing the implemented ideology of ‘Total Football’ from the first two thirds of the park.

The Dutch in 2010 now employ a pragmatic approach to its football, which has seen it use a more patient build-up play through the defence and midfield before relying on the individual brilliance of its playmakers and forwards to score the goals.

Undoubtedly, the turning point for Holland came with the quarter-final triumph against Brazil where the Dutch turned a 1-0 half-time deficit into a brilliant come-from-behind 2-1 victory in denying the Samba Kings the chance to win a record sixth FIFA World Cup title.

Meanwhile, Spain’s successful journey throughout the competition has really stemmed from its initial setback against Switzerland when La Furia Roja succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.

Since then, Spain has tiptoed its way into the FIFA World Cup final on the back of some resolute defending, which has seen it win all of its last five matches conceding only one goal in the process.

However, the Spanish concerns have been lying in the goal scoring department with a truly heavy reliance placed on striker, David Villa, to produce the goods against its opposition.

Despite the concerns, Spain has enjoyed a wonderful amount of possession in every one of its games; and while it hasn’t been truly threatened throughout the tournament, La Furia Roja has stood up to each challenge thrown at them making its participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final a thoroughly deserved one.

Netherlands vs Spain – History

The Netherlands and Spain have played each other only nine times throughout their histories, with each side enjoying a record of four wins, four losses and one draw against one another.

The last time these two teams met was back in a friendly in 2002 when Holland’s Frank de Boer, a central defender who played for Spain’s Barcelona, scored the only goal in a rather anti-climactic affair in Rotterdam.

While Spain hasn’t defeated the Dutch since 1983, the Iberians will draw from their victory over the Netherlands all the way back in 1920 when, in the only clash for silverware between the two sides, Spain won the silver-medal playoff at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, 3-1, which condemned the Dutch to Olympic bronze.

In terms of the two sides’ best results at the FIFA World Cup however, the Netherlands has twice made the final at consecutive tournaments back in 1974 and 1978, but lost to West Germany and Argentina respectively in an era where ‘Total Football’ was genuinely idolised.

Whereas for Spain, the best it can boast at the World Cup finals is a fourth-place finish back in 1950, with Uruguay, Brazil and Sweden all finishing above the Spanish in the final super group in Brazil.

Team News – Netherlands

No real injury or suspension concerns means that Dutch coach, Bert van Marwijk, will be able to pick from the full complement of the ‘Oranje tree’ ahead of its do-or-die clash with Spain.

Any fears over slight injuries to Maarten Stekelenburg’s hip and Demy de Zeeuw’s jaw have been allayed, with both players fit to take part in the final.

However, with Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel certain to return to the starting line-up from one-match bans, it’s likely that de Zeeuw and Khalid Boulahrouz will be the unlucky duo that drop to the bench.

Team News – Spain

The only concern for Spain is still with the fitness of Raul Albiol, with the Real Madrid defender appearing highly unlikely to take any part in the final following the fibula injury he sustained in training two weeks ago.

With that in mind, the only other selection headache that Spanish coach, Vicente Del Bosque, will need to consider is whether to include Fernando Torres in the starting line-up.

Del Bosque made the tough call of dropping Torres for Pedro against Germany, and it really paid off with the feisty winger playing a key role in defeating the enthusiastic Germans, 1-0.

Whether Del Bosque reverts to using Torres in the starting line-up remains to be seen, but either way, it’ll be hard for the Spanish coach to ignore the form of Pedro when going into arguably the most important match he will have coached in his life.

FIFA World Cup Match Prediction

The 2010 FIFA World Cup final will be contested between two European juggernauts that are so evenly matched all over the park.

The Netherlands and Spain both possess players of equally brilliant calibre in goalkeepers, Stekelenburg and Iker Casillas, midfield playmakers in Wesley Sneijder and Xabi Alonso and inspirational winger/forwards in Arjen Robben and David Villa.

However, it is the subtleties of how either side plays as a team that may very well be the difference in the ultimate outcome.

In particular, there are two key factors which will be paramount for either side to clinch its first ever FIFA World Cup title.

Firstly, it truly is a matter of ‘who dares wins’!

The side that is bold, courageous and goes out and attacks the game will go a long way in securing victory; and secondly, the side that gains the ascendancy of the battle in midfield will allow it to starve the opposition of possession and opportunities on goal.

Despite all this, the Netherlands and Spain have historically endured their fair share of disappointment throughout the FIFA World Cup, so expect a tentative start from both sides with chances anticipated to come at a premium.

In summation, the players from either side know that they now have an unbelievable chance to make history; and when it comes down to it, the side that goes out to actually ‘win’ the game will be the side that actually ends up winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Netherlands 1-2 Spain (AET)

Kick-off commences at 04:30 (AEST) on Monday 12 July 2010.

Uruguay and Germany both had their FIFA World Cup dreams shattered in the semi-finals with defeat to the ...]]> The battle for third place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be decided tonight when Uruguay meets Germany at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Uruguay and Germany both had their FIFA World Cup dreams shattered in the semi-finals with defeat to the Netherlands and Spain respectively; but with either side assured of at least another match on the world stage, the respective coaches will use this opportunity to showcase the skills of their players one more time before their tournament campaigns come to an end.

Uruguay’s brilliant run throughout the tournament wasn’t predicted by many following its first-up tedious performance in the goalless draw with 2006 finalists, France.

Yet since then, La Celeste fulfilled the hearts of the football romantics consecutively overpowering South Africa, Mexico, South Korea and Ghana before succumbing to the Dutch, 3-2, amid a poor second-half performance.

Notwithstanding their semi-final slip-up, the South Americans evoked past footballing memories in emulating the Uruguayan teams of old, who twice won the FIFA World Cup back in 1930 and 1950.

Meanwhile, for Germany, it has undoubtedly been the most thrilling side to watch during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Die Nationalmannschaft has unexpectedly entertained the world with its youthful exuberance throughout the tournament producing swift counter-attacking football over the journey, which has so often ended up in goals.

Nevertheless, aesthetic qualities counted for nothing against the more-experienced Spanish, who gave the Germans a footballing lesson in eventually outclassing its European opponents, 1-0.

Germany has previously been involved in the third-place final on four occasions meaning it is no stranger to the arguably pointless fixture.

It too boasts a healthy 75% record taking out the decider three times.

In fact, Die Nationalmannschaft’s most recent appearance in the third-place final came only four years ago when it outclassed a brave Portugal, 3-1, through a game-changing Bastian Schweinsteiger brace.

While, coincidentally, Uruguay’s only appearance in this corresponding fixture occurred back in the 1970 FIFA World Cup when La Celeste surrendered to the Germans, 1-0, with Wolfgang Overath grabbing the decisive goal for the winners.

Team News – Uruguay

Luis Suarez will return to the line-up following his match-winning indiscretion against Ghana that earned him a one-match ban.

As a result, Walter Gargano deputised for the Ajax Amsterdam forward against the Netherlands, so it is likely that Uruguayan coach, Oscar Tabarez, will drop the defensive midfielder to the bench at the expense of Suarez.

In other news, captain, Diego Lugano, is ready to come straight back into the starting eleven after shaking off a knee injury, with Diego Godin likely to be replaced from the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, talismanic forward, Diego Forlan, admitted that he played through the semi-final defeat to the Netherlands with a slight thigh injury.

Yet, despite the hindrance, the 31-year-old Atletico Madrid striker is all set to take his place in the starting line-up against the much younger Germans.

Team News – Germany

The flu has certainly hit the German camp with coach, Joachim Löw; captain, Philipp Lahm and Lukas Podolski succumbing to the virus after Germany’s disappointing loss to FIFA World Cup final newcomers in Spain.

With Löw even unable to attend the pre-match conference, assistant coach, Hansi Flick, insisted that despite the absence of Lahm and Podolski from training on Friday, they are on the road to recovery which should see both players take their place in the starting line-up on Saturday night.

However, the big story for Germany is that Miroslav Klose is in doubt to take part in what is likely to be his last match at the World Cup finals following a back injury he sustained against Spain.

The Bayern Munich striker is believed to be desperate to play in the hope that he can equal Ronaldo’s all-time FIFA World Cup goal scoring record of 15 goals.

In better news for the Germans, exciting midfielder, Thomas Müller, will return to the line-up having served his one-match suspension, meaning Piotr Trochowski will likely drop to the bench.

FIFA World Cup Match Prediction

Third-place finals have often been synonymous with compelling matches that have the potential to produce several goals.

With pride (and prize money) on the line, anticipate that both sides will go on all-out attack to restore whatever pride has been lost from their semi-final setbacks.

Germany possesses stacks of goal scoring prowess in Klose, Podolski and Müller and with Löw’s men improving with every match, it’s hard to see the Uruguayans keeping a clean-sheet in this one.

In opposition, Uruguay’s valiant run in the tournament has earned the South Americans the ultimate respect from the football world, but it is unlikely that Forlan, Suarez and co. will be able to keep the German raids at bay.

This match should end up being a football treat for the neutrals, with both sides likely to trade goals in a clash that is said to be enjoyed ‘for the good of the game’.

Uruguay 2-4 Germany

A Carles Puyol header in the 73rd minute was all that separated the two sides as ...]]> Spain has reached the FIFA World Cup final for the very first time in its history with a slender 1-0 victory over Germany at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

A Carles Puyol header in the 73^rd minute was all that separated the two sides as Germany failed to avenge its defeat from the final of the European Championships two years ago.

A cagey start to the match in the opening 45 minutes saw the Spanish do most of the attacking; and indeed, Spain came close to taking the lead on the sixth minute mark as Pedro threaded a clever ball into the path of David Villa, who subsequently slipped a shot on goal.

However, German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, came bursting out of the blocks in making himself big and smothering Villa’s attempt with inconspicuous composure.

Spain maintained its early dominance in the game and really should’ve taken the lead in the 14^th minute when an Andrés Iniesta cross speared its way onto the head of Puyol.

Yet with the goal at his mercy, Puyol’s diving header from just outside the six-yard box sailed over the bar as Spain continued in failing to make the most of its chances up forward.

For all of Spain’s possession, Germany nearly produced the first goal of the match through a Piotr Trochowski long-range attempt after 36 minutes; and were it not for the timely intervention of Spanish goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, Trochowski would’ve been celebrating his first goal of the tournament.

On the stroke of half-time, a German raid forward allowed Mesut Özil to spring the offside trap as the Turkish-born midfielder looked certain to test Casillas.

Yet, with the onrushing Spanish ’keeper anticipating the strike, Özil instead fell into a heap playing for the penalty with Sergio Ramos in close proximity.

The referee waved away the German protests as a subsequent Pedro effort was again denied by Neuer.

From the resumption of play, Spain persisted in its possession game through the lively Pedro, who was seeing plenty of action on the ball.

Arguably, Pedro was posing the main threat for La Furia Roja terrorising the German defence with his marauding runs down the right wing; so it was no surprise to see the replacement for Fernando Torres twice set up Xabi Alonso early in the second half, who consequently fired both shots just wide of the mark from decent positions.

On the 58^th minute, Spain produced its best sequence of play as the Spanish almost broke the deadlock on three separate occasions within a minute.

Firstly, patient build-up play from the European champions finished with Neuer thwarting Pedro’s low drive, with Xabi Alonso returning the favour in teeing up the speedy livewire.

From the eventual rebound, Iniesta’s mazy run into the area almost provided Villa with the opener as the ball gently spun past the sliding attempt of the newest Barcelona frontman.

As a wise man once said, good things come in threes, with Pedro then shooting narrowly wide as the danger finally came to an end for the Germans.

On the 69^th minute, Germany almost fashioned an opening on the counter as Lukas Podolski centred sublimely for Toni Kroos to hit a first-time volley straight at Casillas, who instinctively parried the ball away from any further peril.

Spain’s continual pressure on the German goal finally told in the 73^rd minute though as an out-swinging corner from Xavi was powered into the net by a sumptuous Puyol header.

Despite the best efforts of an outstretched Neuer, Puyol’s decisive strike was always destined for the target as Spain evoked memories of the Euro 2008 final back on that fateful day in Vienna two years ago.

The ensuing play saw Germany lift its urgency as Die Nationalmannschaft committed more and more players forward in the search on an equaliser.

However, the Germans were always susceptible on the counter-attack, and it showed as Xavi released Pedro in acres of space into the Spanish forward half with only the ’keeper to beat.

Fernando Torres pushed forward into an excellent position to support Pedro, but the Spanish winger went at it alone instead.

As a result, Pedro took one touch too many as Arne Friedrich cleared the ball from harm’s way.

However, with the Germans hardly raising a whimper in the dying minutes, Spain’s dream of ending the tag as tournament chokers is now in touching distance as Vicente Del Bosque’s men booked a date with the Netherlands at the 2010 FIFA World Cup final in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

Three goals all off the post by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben edged out strikes ...]]> The Netherlands have progressed to the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with an imposing 3-2 win over Uruguay at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Three goals all off the post by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben edged out strikes to Diego Forlan and Maximiliano Pereira as the Dutch reached the tournament final for the first time since 1978.

The Netherlands started brightly in the first five minutes as Sneijder’s cross from the right flank needed clearing by Uruguayan goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera.

However, his punch fell straight into the path of Dirk Kuyt, who fortunately for Muslera misfired his shot over the bar.

Yet, after a somewhat lacklustre beginning to the match from both sides, the Dutch took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 18^th minute through a van Bronckhorst wonder strike.

The Dutch captain, who was winning his 105^th cap for his country, took possession well outside the area on the inside-left channel before thumping an absolute thunderbolt that took a helpful touch from the post and into the top corner of the goal.

Indeed, no ’keeper in the world could’ve saved van Bronckhorst’s blistering strike and despite Muslera’s best efforts, the Uruguayan ’keeper couldn’t be blamed for the Dutch opener.

In the 36^th minute, the Uruguayans produced its first shot on target for the match through an Alvaro Pereira strike from outside the box; but Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, positioned himself impeccably holding the shot with aplomb.

Nevertheless, instantly following a Kuyt effort two minutes before the break, Forlan’s mazy run towards the Dutch goal ended in a goal as the Uruguayan forward capriciously wheeled onto his left foot before sending a scorching drive into the back of the net.

On replay however, Stekelenburg will feel that he should’ve made the save.

Despite the Dutch goalkeeper getting a strong hand on the curling shot, he couldn’t prevent the Uruguayan equaliser as La Celeste began its ecstatic revelry.

Uruguay smelt blood just before half-time, but Stekelenburg made partial amends for his earlier error saving smartly from a Forlan free-kick that seemed to be bending inside the keeper’s left post.

In the 50^th minute, a terrible back-pass from Khalid Boulahrouz almost found Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani as Stekelenburg scurried off his line to partially clear the danger.

However, with the ball falling invitingly for A. Pereira, his accurate shot found van Bronckhorst, who in sensing the threat, made a timely headed clearance away from the target.

After a short lull in the game, the match exploded into life again as the Oranje scored twice to kill off any chance of a Uruguayan comeback.

Previous to the goals however, another Forlan set-piece in the 66^th minute dipped its way towards the bottom corner of the mark; yet Stekelenburg crucially parried away the strike as he continued to right the wrongs from his prior mistake.

Moments later, a brilliant pass from Robin van Persie released Rafael van der Vaart who immediately rifled a shot on goal; but Muslera foiled the Dutch substitute diving sublimely to his left as a Robben follow-up was blasted over the bar.

Twenty minutes before time though, Holland retook the lead through Sneijder, who scored his fifth goal of the tournament following a string of passes from the in-control Dutch side.

The Inter Milan playmaker’s somewhat enervated attempt took a sharp deflection off M. Pereira; and with Muslera stranded, the ball fizzed its way off the post and into the net.

Furthermore, the match looked to be settled on the 73^rd minute mark following more patient build-up play by the Dutch.

The well-constructed move was finished off by Robben, who bulleted a pinpoint header off the base of the post and into the goal after a precise Kuyt cross found his man.

At 3-1, the game appeared to be dead and buried; but Uruguay had other ideas giving the Dutch a late scare in injury time following a cleverly-worked goal from another Uruguayan set-piece.

Walter Gargano shaped to thrust the ball into the crowded 18-yard box, but instead, directed a short pass for M. Pereira to sidestep his opponent and guide a curving shot home to generate a glimmer of hope for the seemingly defeated Uruguayans.

A hectic finish to the match ensued as the Dutch defence soaked up wave upon wave of Uruguayan pressure.

Nonetheless, it all came too late for the last of the non-European representatives as the Dutch held on to victory amid jubilant celebrations for the Oranje.

A Fernando Torres winner in the 33rd minute was all that separated the teams two years ago; but a lot has ...]]> Germany will get the chance to avenge its defeat from the Euro 2008 final when it confronts Spain at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban tonight.

A Fernando Torres winner in the 33^rd minute was all that separated the teams two years ago; but a lot has changed since then, particularly with the rise of a youthful German side headlining the 2010 FIFA World Cup with its giant-killing performances.

Germany is unquestionably the form side of the competition so far reinventing its style of football from the final defeat back in 2008.

The progression has seen the Germans transform its game from a belligerent style of grinding down their opposition into an end-to-end extravaganza dismantling all that comes before them with brilliant interplay, scintillating pace and accurate finishing.

In particular, Germany’s 4-1 and 4-0 triumphs over England and Argentina respectively in its last two matches has sent a message of intent to the Spanish: allow us to expose your defence at your peril.

Meanwhile, Spain has yet to recapture the form that won La Furia Roja the European Championships two years ago during its tournament campaign thus far.

While there is no doubting the squad’s extraordinary abilities, the team’s lack of belief in finishing off its opponents has seen Vicente Del Bosque’s men scrape to 1-0 victories over Portugal and its previous adversary in Paraguay.

Moreover, Spain’s history in the FIFA World Cup has been too often centred around disappointment.

With great expectations placed on numerous Spanish sides in the past, they have failed to live up to their outstanding talents only reaching the final four once back at the 1950 FIFA World Cup.

Also, the tournament underwent a different format 60 years ago where the best four countries were placed in one super group, so in effect, this will be Spain’s first semi-final appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

Conversely, the semi-final phase of the tournament brings nothing new to the Germans, who have now reached the final four for the twelfth time from the 19 FIFA World Cups staged up until now – an exceptional achievement.

Team News – Germany

Germany will unfortunately be without its energetic right-winger in Thomas Müller, who is suspended for one match after picking up a second yellow card against Argentina.

Die Nationalmannschaft has been reaping the rewards from Müller’s eye-catching performances, which has seen the Bayern Munich midfielder bag four goals from his five matches – a remarkable return for a right-sided midfielder.

With Toni Kroos and Piotr Trochowski seeing second-half action against the Argentineans, Joachim Löw will likely favour either attacking midfielder as a replacement for Müller.

Meanwhile, the condition of Cacau’s abdominal injury has improved making him available against the Spanish; yet the Brazilian-born striker will probably have to settle for a position on the substitutes’ bench.

Also, there have been queries about the possibility of Sami Khedira aggravating a slight thigh injury during the victory to the Argentineans; but Khedira has been declared fit to start against La Furia Roja.

Team News – Spain

Del Bosque’s only concern going into the match is the fitness of Raul Albiol, who reportedly sustained a fibula injury in training after a clash with Fernando Llorente over a week ago.

While Albiol has been unavailable for the last two matches against Portugal and Paraguay, the Real Madrid defender returned to training during the week and is likely to also be considered as an option from the substitutes’ bench should Spain require his services.

With the Spanish starting line-up pretty much set in stone, Del Bosque’s only possible alteration he’d likely be considering is whether to drop the out-of-form Fernando Torres.

It’s been no secret that Torres’ form in the FIFA World Cup has been nothing short of disappointing; and with that in mind, Del Bosque may look to either Cesc Fabregas or David Silva as a potential replacement for the Liverpool marksman.

Match Prediction

The repeat of the Euro 2008 final will be an intriguing battle against two European powerhouses who are currently displaying contrasting form in South Africa.

In this do-or-die clash of two titans who both have one eye already on the main prize, the infallible quality on the park will be a spectator’s dream, but a punter’s nightmare in tipping a winner.

With the two teams so evenly matched, anticipate that mental strength will get the eventual victors over the line in what is shaping to be a contest that will go down to the wire.

Germany 2-1 Spain (AET)

Kick-off commences at 04:30 (AEST) on Thursday 8 July 2010.