The Netherlands stormed into their first World Cup final since 1978 on Tuesday, beating Uruguay 3-2 to set up a title clash against either Germany or Spain.
Two goals inside three second-half minutes, from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, steered the Dutch into the decider and shattered South American hopes.
Veteran Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave his side the lead on 18 minutes with a stunning 35-yard strike before Diego Forlan produced an equally memorable goal four minutes before half-time to keep Uruguay alive.
Maxi Pereira got one back for Uruguay in injury time but it was too little, too late.
"It was a hard match, but all that is forgotten now and we are in the final," said Sneijder, as Holland go looking for a first World Cup title. "The most important thing now is to win. We are so close. There is nothing bigger than the World Cup."
Coach Bert van Marwijk said everyone in the Netherlands can be proud of the team. "It's amazing that we have managed to do this. It's been 32 years (since the Netherlands last played in a final). It is unbelievable. We can be very proud for such a small country."
