Holland 3 Uruguay 2. We understand, FIFA…

Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, Tuesday July 6, 20.30 SA Time – Holland 3 Uruguay 2 (Van Bronckhorst, 18’, 70’ Sneijder, 73’ Robben; Diego Forlan, 41’, M. Pereira, 90 +2’)

Uruguay pressed more in the opening four minutes; Kuyt’s shot over punctuated the full stop and change of regime, while Holland took control of the game for the remaining 25, resulting in Van Bronckhorst’s goal on 18’. Uruguay organised itself, and started to grow after the half-hour.

35’ Álvaro Pereira shot at Stekelenburg; 40’, Diego Forlán received the ball in from of goal, 20 yards out, dummied two defenders and shot into the top of the net.

Uruguay came back from the interval looking more determined, taking the ball to Holland’s area. On 51’, Cavani caused panic in the Dutch defence and the resulting lob from Álvaro Pereira with the Dutch keeper out of his net was cleared by Van Bronckhorst.

59’ Forlán header saved. 66’ Forlán free kick saved, excellent dive by the Dutch keeper.

Then there was one of those 5-minute whirlwinds that change everything. 68’ Muslera saved from Van der Vaart, who substituted De Zeeuw in the second half. 70’ Sneijder goal 2-1 (OK FIFA we didn’t see the offside from Van Persie in front of goal. Holland is worth more in the final than Uruguay, we understand).

73’ Robben header in front of goal, failure by the Uruguayan defence to mark, 3-1. Uruguay did not give up.

Abreu came on for A. Pereira, the tiring Forlán was replaced by Sebastian Fernandez. Finally it paid off, but too late. 90’ + 2’, goal by M. Pereira, receiving a short free kick.

Holland: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Mathusen, V. Bronckhorst, V. Bommel, Kuyt, Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben (Elia), Boulahrouz, De Zeeuw (Van der Vaart)

Uruguay: Muslera, Godin, Gargano, Victorino, Cavani, Forlan (S. Fernandez), A. Pereira (S. Abreu), Perez, M. Pereira, Arevalo Rios, Caceres