Three teams, one cup

The Netherlands defeated Uruguay 3-2 yesterday in the first semifinal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup to earn the team’s first appearance in the finals since 1978. The Dutch will next take on the winner of the second semifinal match between Spain and Germany in an all-European World Cup final.

The Dutch took a 1-0 lead in Cape Town when team captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst scored from 30 yards in the 18th minute. But Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan scored his fourth goal of the tournament off a curling, long-distance shot that deceived the Dutch goalkeeper just before halftime to tie the match at 1-all.

In the second half, the Dutch scored two goals in three minutes through shots from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben to take a 3-1 lead. Despite a late rally from Uruguay and an injury-time goal from M. Periera, the Dutch held on for a 3-2 victory.

In the remaining semifinal, a young and resurgent German team, under coach Joachim Loew, will take on pre-tournament favorite Spain today in Durban at 11:30 a.m. local time.

Earlier in the competition, three European, four South American and one African nation made up the eight teams for the quarterfinals. However, the semifinal lineup included all three European teams and just one South American squad.

In what was arguably the most anticipated quarterfinal clash, the Netherlands came back from a first-half one-goal deficit to beat first-ranked Brazil 2-1 at Port Elizabeth on July 2. Prior to the match, Brazil had never surrendered a lead in its entire World Cup history and went ahead in the 10th minute with a strike from Robinho. However, stalwart Wesley Sneijder chalked up two goals in the second half for the Dutch to lead his team to victory.

On the same day, Uruguay became the only South American team to make the semis after defeating Ghana, the last remaining African hope. After being tied 1-1 after extra time, Uruguay prevailed 4-2 in penalty kicks over their African opponents. The Uruguayans conceded a goal in the first half and had a penalty kick against them missed in the last minute of the match. Striker Diego Forlan scored the equalizer for his team in the 55th minute.

Germany booked a semifinal spot in spectacular style on July 3, cruising to a resounding 4-0 win over Diego Maradona’s Argentina team in Cape Town. Striker Miroslav Klose scored two goals, while Thomas Mueller and Arne Friedrich each scored one. Klose’s brace now puts him tied for second in the World Cup’s all-time goal scorer list behind Brazil’s Ronaldo. In the team’s previous match, a rampant Germany had banged in four goals against England.

In the final quarterfinal clash, favorites Spain relied upon a penalty save from captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas and a David Villa goal seven minutes from time to record a solitary-goal win over Paraguay on July 3.

Casillas, who is considered one of the finest goalkeepers in the game today, denied Paraguay’s Oscar Cardozo from the penalty spot in the 59th minute. Spain was finally able to break Paraguay’s resilient defense in the 83rd minute when Villa slotted home a Cesc Fabregas shot, which came back off the post.

In the race for the FIFA Golden Boot honor, Spain’s David Villa currently leads with five goals in the tournament. Closely following him are Germany’s Klose and Thomas Meuller and the Netherland’s Sneijder, who have all scored four goals each.

Remaining World Cup matches

Semifinal

Germany            vs.        Spain

Today, 11:30 a.m.

Third-place match

Uruguay              vs.       Loser of Germany/Spain match

Sat, 11:30 a.m.

Final

Netherlands        vs.       Winner of Germany/Spain match

Sun, 11:30 a.m.