Spain world champion!. When it came to hitting, because ... look at that hit!, And nothing happened, much as Spain beat Holland, though perhaps at the behest of the Netherlands that, as against Uruguay, came out with the spear of entry, to cut the game severely and systematically. And when he had to play more openly as they did in the second half and all overtime, played a little over Spain.

In other words, it seemed that he had more balance in everything: in the football aspect, they finished driving the possession of the ball almost as they had done to Germany in the physical aspect, because in overtime to the Netherlands it seemed to lack the strength to make the counterattack, and in the aspect of mind, where was the feeling that after the goals that they could not realize what was wrong Robben, a lack of decision, the others avoided Casillas, in the second part, too were convinced that only the Spanish were to be world champions.

This final was a physical test of attrition that sometimes turned dirty -- a finals-record 14 yellow cards were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the end, it was Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, taking a pass from Cesc Fabregas and putting a right-footed shot from 8 yards just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with about seven minutes left to play, including injury time.

For the Dutch and their legions of orange-clad fans wearing everything from jerseys to jumpsuits to clown gear to pajamas, it was yet another disappointment.

Even with their first World Cup title tantalizingly within reach, they failed in the final for the third time. This one might have been the most bitter because, unlike 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands was unbeaten not only in this tournament, but in qualifying for the first World Cup staged in South Africa.

Spain was better, without question. They could have won before, long before, but could also have been lost if not arise again, the great captain, Iker Casillas, to spoil the night for his former teammate Arjen Robben.

Spain world champion! And that's fine. Perhaps it was all I expected. Moreover, seeing the end, the thought fell into the temptation to think that if Uruguay had been in this instance, not out. I could do, well, out of Spain.

But that's okay. "In a World Cup is not looking for the best, but it is at reaching the last game," recently said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez. And Spain went down in history with soccer, with fury, because they came and won.

Holland will continue - forever? - Waiting.

The goal was created by Carles Puyol in the 73rd minute from a header after a corner kick. The Iberians never reached this level in a World Cup.

From the outset "The Roja" came out with a vigorous energy to establish a superiority and also to take advantage of an inexperience Germany.

In the sixth minute the German goalkeeper Neuer drowned a approach by Villa with his knees, as it it went Germany had trouble trying to counterattack the Spaniards.

Spain dominated the game throughout most of the first half. Retained possession of the ball. they played two or three touches and little by little was besieging the area of Germany, who defended well and tried to strike back.

In the second Germany tried to take the initiative, attacking more often, but Spain rallied and regained control of the game. Germany again had to defend their area.

With the minute Spain became more incisive. The German defense cleared and again began the Spanish offensive.

Until the corner, Carles Puyol won head and put the 1-0. Germany went in search of an equalizer trying to engulf their opponent to a unsuccessful attack. Spain maintained control of the ball and let the minutes pass. Spain won 1-0 and will face Holland in the final. South Africa will have a new champion.

The Netherlands turned on the style in the second half to reach its third World Cup final - and first in 32 years - with a 3-2 victory over Uruguay on Tuesday.

Wesley Sneijder scored his fifth goal in South Africa and Giovanni van Bronckhorst added one of the goals of the tournament. Arjen Robben also scored as the Dutch never looked troubled despite a late onslaught from the two-time champions from South America.

Now Orange machine should expect the winner of the encounter between Germany and Spain, to meet next July 11 in Johannesburg at the end of this event that was first developed in an African nation.

It will be the third final of Holland in a World Cup. In the previous two lost to Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978.

Uruguay after 40 years returned to get the best. they lost to a better team, but they did it with their heads held high, leaving everything in every ball and showing that if you work with conviction you can aspire to great achievements.

The last minutes fed the illusion, but not enough to get a draw that would have forced the overtime against the Netherlands in the game that defined the first World Cup finalist.

Then were the worst minutes for the blue because the Netherlands began to dominate the ball and hurt the rear, especially on the side of Martin Caceres, who came to the game with no football.

Uruguay, twice world champion (1930 and 1950), is seeking to recover their history in football when they face Holland today for a ticket to the final of South Africa 2010, a duel which will stage the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

After leaving the road to Ghana (on penalties), the Charruas living around the world rely on the long-awaited move to final.

Juan Ramón Silva, Victor Manuel Battaini, José María Muñiz and Hector de los Santos, a former Uruguayan football players living in the country, rely on the strengths, the defense and attack, the Celeste has shown in this World Cup to the Europeans prevail .

For José María Muñiz, ex of Uruguay in 1975 and 1976, the game must be based on celestial ball control in midfield and the quick counter-attacks with Diego Forlan and Edison Cavani.

Netherlands comes as the favorite and so they will try to move the offensive game, while directed by Oscar Tabarez should remain sorted in the midfield, no mismatches on defense and counterattacks be lethal ( Diego) Forlan.

Hector de los Santos, former defender from Deportivo Quito in the sixties, which coincided with the South Americans Muñiz should take advantage of the backlash because they have strikers like Forlan, Abreu and Cavani, which are very fast.

Both teams will play its fifth game and will do so in one semifinal of the World Cup to be held at Green Point Stadium.

Uruguay beat the Netherlands twice in the Olympic Games in 1924 and 1928, which became champion. In the first of the matches were won 2-1 and the second 2-0. After the victory of the Netherlands 2-0 in World Cup 1974 (where the Orange was a finalist, also reached the finals in Argentina 1978), the last duel of the two combined in the World Club Cup 1980, victory was resolved Uruguay 2-0.

The victory was both managed by David Villa in the 83rd minute of play. The Spanish arrived with five goals and now becomes the leading scorer in the World Cup.

Paraguay, however, they left South Africa in 2010 with honors, standing, with the last drop of effort on the lawn of Ellis Park, behind one of the favorites.

With both sides having already missed penalty kicks, substitute Pedro Rodriguez hit the post following a pass by Andres Iniesta and the ball fell to Villa in the area. The striker took one touch before his curling shot hit the far post, rebounded onto the other and went in - putting him top of the tournament scoring charts with five goals.

Spain will play its semifinal in Durban on Wednesday against Germany, the team it beat in the 2008 European Championship final.

Paraguay, whose coach Gerardo Martino made six changes after the penalty shootout win over Japan in the previous round, easily contained Spain's renowned attacking prowess in a disappointing first half.

The South Americans felt aggrieved to have a 41st-minute strike by Nelson Valdez ruled out after Cardozo strayed into a marginally offside position, but wasted a glorious chance to go ahead after Spain defender Gerard Pique was booked for dragging on the arm of Cardozo.

But the Benfica player, who scored the winner against Japan, saw his shot saved by Casillas -- and then at the other end Villa was hauled down when clear on goal by Antolin Alcaraz, who was lucky not to be sent off.

Paraguay's defeat leaves neighbors Uruguay as South America's only representative in the last four, facing the Netherlands on Tuesday.

No hand of God could save the Argentinians from being routed by Germany, Superstitions, after all, were all that was left for Diego and this rudderless Argentina.

Germany's goals flowed freely once again at the World Cup, this time battering Argentina 4-0 on Saturday to propel the three-time champions into the semifinals and send both Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona home.

The frailties of the Argentines and their tactical brittleness was exposed in the numbers on the scoreboard in Cape Town.

Germany is for real; these players believe in themselves and in their mission, that much is written on their faces.

It’s not just that they’re very, very good, it’s the joyousness in them that’s remarkable.

I don’t recall The Kaiser, Franz Beckenbauer, laughing and patently having fun while going about the serious business of leading his country at the World Cup.

It was the third match at this year's World Cup in which the Germans scored four goals following a 4-0 win over Australia and 4-1 win over England.

With the three-time champion Germans dominating every sector of the field, Argentina paled in comparison and Messi left the tournament without a single goal, while Maradona failed to get his nation back into the World Cup final.

With all the pre-game hype and bad blood dominating the headlines, the game started as explosively as could be expected. Bastian Schweinsteiger curled in a tight free kick from the left in the third minute and Mueller glanced it toward the feet of an out-of-position goalkeeper Sergio Romero and into the net.

We would never think that a save my by Luis Suarez would be the best save of the World Cup, it was Suarez who save Uruguay from from a dismal overtime period against Ghana.

As Ghana was just approaching Uruguay's territory at will in their attack and coming up with so many opportunities to put the ball in the net.

Uruguay defeated Ghana in a penalty shootout 4-2 and it took them to the top four in the world for the first time in 40 years. 90'regular time and 30'of extra time ended 1-1. In the last play of overtime, Gyan hit crossbar on a penalty kick that was committed by the hand of Suarez, this penalty kick put the Uruguayans in the semifinals. It is the Netherlands.

Uruguay started better than Ghana, at the 3rd Fernandez sent a cross from the right which was closed and crossed in front of the bow without any Uruguayan that could put it in the net.

Later, Luis Suarez had two occasions: the first at 10'when a rival took off and headed in on goal, but his attempt was well concocted by Kingson, and 26'.

Asamoah Gyan had a chance to secure Africa's first ever World Cup semifinal spot for Ghana, but he hit the crossbar with a penalty in the last second of extra time after Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera then made two important saves in the shootout.

The two-time champion Uruguayans advanced to face the Netherlands in the semifinals.

The Netherlands came from behind to stun five-time champion Brazil 2-1 Friday and become the first semifinalist of the World Cup.

Wesley Sneijder scored the winner in the 68th minute with a header following a corner kick.

After waking themselves up at halftime, the title that has eluded the Dutch for all these years is now just two wins away.

The top-ranked team in the world and one of the most impressive squads in the tournament until Friday, Brazil lost its composure after falling behind and defender Felipe Melo was ejected in the 73rd minute for stomping on the leg of Arjen Robben.

The Netherlands reached the semifinals for the first time since losing to Brazil on penalties at the 1998 World Cup in France and will next face Uruguay.
Having won all five of their matches so far, the Netherlands extended its team-record unbeaten streak to 24 games, stretching back to a September 2008 loss to Australia.
At the final whistle, the Dutch players jumped on each other near midfield and lingered to savor the moment.

Brazil also lost in the quarterfinals four years ago, falling to France 1-0. Former Brazil captain Dunga was hired to coach the team after that loss despite no previous managerial experience and his future is certain to come into question now.

The magical talent of Leo Messi, the goalscoring of Diego Forlan, the strength of Maicon and so on, based on the strength of its World Cup football, South America is experiencing unprecedented history.

For South Africa 2010 is already a milestone for South American football, with the triumph of Paraguay yesterday, for the first time South America has placed four of its representatives in the quarterfinals.

In the same instant the penalty kick by Oscar Cardozo was moving goalkeeper Kawashima's net, Mexico 70 Argentina 78 were overcome, because never before in South America four teams had been among the last eight.

Uruguay, Brazil and Peru did it in Mexico 70 and Argentina, Brazil and Peru did in Argentina 78.

In 2010 there were five South American South in the second round, having won Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay for their respective groups. Chile was the only team not to go to the quarterfinals after falling to Brazil. And there's more: the box quarterfinals of South Africa 2010 also allows an unprecedented imagine, four South American semi-final, as Brazil will face the Netherlands, Uruguay, Ghana , Argentina and Paraguay to Germany to Spain.

"Our teams, fortunately, were prepared with good players and have very good coaches. That I think is an important factor," he told dpa Nicolas Leoz, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). South American teams to the tournament is offering a menu of exceptions is something no one can doubt. Argentina brings to Leo Messi, the best player in the world. Brazil, Julius Caesar, probably the best goalkeeper in the world.

The last two top scorers in European football, the "Golden Boot" are Messi (2010) and Diego Forlan, so no surprise that another South American, Gonzalo Higuain, with four goals lead the scorers table of the World together with Spanish David Villa and Slovakian Robert Vittek.

South America also provides "background" historic, with two coaches who were already world champions as players, Diego Maradona of Argentina and Brazil's Carlos Dunga.

Between Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay accumulate nine world titles, half of the contested so far. On the other side there are only three, those of Germany and Italy (four times champion) and England and France, with one each, and were eliminated. Ghana, alone, is the African representative.