Robbed It: Uruguay 2-3 Holland 6/710

Uruguay line-up: Muslera, Godin, Gargano, Victorino, Cavani, Forlan (c) (Fernandez, 84'), A.Pereira (Abreu, 78'), Perez, M.Perreira, Arevalo, Caceres
Holland line-up: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronkhorst (c), Van Bommel, Kuyt, Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben (Elia, 89'), De Zeeuw (Van Der Vaart, HT)

Holland grab the first spot in the final of South Africa 2010 with a tight win over Uruguay. The score looks tighter than the game was, after Holland scored their second their looked to be only one winner until a mad scramble in injury time. The game started slowly as both teams felt their way into the game, however Holland created a good first chance within the first five minutes; Robben being his menacing self managed to beat the wide man and run down the flank, he laid it off to Sneijder whose curling cross was unconvincingly punched by normally steady keeper Muslera, the ball fell to Kuyt but he volleyed over the crossbar. From there chances were few and far between as the game became slightly pedestrian, that was until Van Bronkhorst fired Holland into the lead via a spectacular strike from thirty yards. It was certainly out of the blue and it was a stroke of genius by the Dutch captain as Muslera could do nothing about it. The game seemed to be crawling towards a 1-0 scoreline at half-time as Uruguay started created a few half-chances but nothing of any danger for Stekelenburg. This coincided with Forlan beginning to drop off from the back four of Holland and come searching for the ball. Four minutes before half-time and it was the turn of the Uruguay captain to score out of the blue; Forlan picked up the ball half-way inside the Dutch and was allowed space to run into, cutting inside onto his weaker left foot he lashed a 25 yard shot which wrong footed Stekelenburg and found the net. Stekelenburg would have been unhappy with himself as he should have saved it but Oscar Tabarez's half-time team talk became slightly easier.

With Uruguay having the momentum, they seemed to start the second half better with Van Bronkhorst and Stekelenburg preventing Uruguay taking the lead. The early didn't seem to startle the Dutch and they gradually grew into the half in search for the second. They should have had it when Van Persie played a lovely ball into the path of half-time substitute Van Der Vaart, his shot could only be parried by Muslera into the path of Arjen Robben who should have scored or at least hit the target, but he blazed it over. Holland were to take the lead just two minutes later via a goal that hinted at offside; Sneijder found the ball on the edge of the box and curled one along the floor, through plenty of bodies and it nestled into the bottom corner. However Van Persie looked to have swung a leg at it and was in an offside position, although he made no contact he was surely active and the goal maybe should not have counted. As for Sneijder that goal put him level with David Villa on five goals for the tournament after Felipe Melo's own goal was awarded to him. From their it seemed there was only going to be one winner and seventeen minutes from time Holland secured a two goal advantage; Dirk Kuyt placed a perfect cross from the corner of the box onto the head of Robben and Muslera was as much of a spectator as were as it floated into the corner. With three minutes of added time and Forlan substituted because of an injury Uruguay looked all at sea, but they managed to find something in the way of salvation; Maxi Pereira benefiting from a short free-kick as his shot, similar to Sneijder's, nestled in the bottom corner. It was to be nothing more than a consolation but it made the final couple of minutes rather edgy for the Orange Army.

Semi-Final Preview: Germany v Spain 7/7/10

Two giants of European football collide to contest a place for the World Cup final, both teams play brilliant possession football, compact defences which offers no central passage and are both brilliant on the counter. They are very much evenly matched and it's hard to pick a winner, Spain have David Villa in top form again and Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso have been inspirational in midfield. Their downfall is the missing Fernando Torres, he's been one of a number of big players who haven't shone thus far and could be the demise of Spain. Vincent Del Bosque has hinted a possibly starting him as a substitute, but their are only two real candidates to start in place of him; Cesc Fabregas is favourite however he'll be playing with a pain-killing injection in his shoulder and doesn't offer a great goal threat. The other is Llorente, the unknown quantity, after coming on against Paraguay he looks strong and can hold the ball up well but also seems to lack goals. Germany's attacking force of Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Ozil, Podolski and Klose have been dominant alongside Muller who is suspended for Germany. A likely replacement could be Cacau who has been passed fit which would still give Germany an all-round goal-scoring threat. The bookies have made Spain favourites for the World Cup now but in comparison Spain haven't looked as good as Germany and I think they will win 2-1. If Spain rollover like Australia, England and Argentina then everyone must believe Germany are the best in the World right now but I think Spain will make Germany a lot harder than the others.

Semi-Final Preview: Uruguay v Holland 6/7/10

So we are nearing the end of another World Cup and the bookies have only one winner in this game. For my money, I share that same winner for it has to be Holland. Holland are without De Jong and Van Der Wiel which may mean that Bert Van Marwijk will give a second consecutive start to Andre Ooijer and maybe start with Elia or Afellay for De Jong. Either was the two missing are replaceable and their deputies will do just a good a job. However in Uruguay's case, their team isn't looking so good; Luis Suarez will be a huge miss and Abreu looks like the obvious replacement but he doesn't look to offer anything as spectacular. Defender Jorge Fucile is suspended which will mean Scotti should start, Lodeiro is out injured but whether he would have started or not is another matter. Coach Tabarez will be nervously waiting on captain Diego Lugano's fitness, which at the minute isn't looking good, this will mean the central defensive partnership will be completely changed and also Godin is a doubt. All hope for Uruguay is now placed on keeper Muslera and arguably best player of the tournament Diego Forlan. Whereas Holland can look towards Kuyt, Robben, Van Persie and another candidate for best player of the tournament Wesley Sneijder. I'm going for a 3-2 Holland win to guarantee a European champion of 2010.

Villa Posts Spain Into Semis: Paraguay 0-1 Spain 3/7/10

Paraguay line-up: Villar (c), Veron, Morel, Cardozo, Barreto (Vera, 64'), Santana, Da Silva, Caceres (Barrios, 84'), Riveros, Valdez (Santa Cruz, 72'), Alcaraz
Spain line-up: Casillas (c), Pique, Puyol (Marchena, 84'), Iniesta, Villa, Xavi, Torres (Fabregas, 56'), Capdevila, Alonso (Pedro, 75'), Ramos, Busquets

Spain just manage to edge out Paraguay in a game that had two penalties, one of which had to be retaken, should have had a third penalty and a possible sending off also a disallowed goal. This close shave means Spain will play Germany in the semi-finals but unless Torres starts to perform Germany will most definitely have the edge, as David Villa is doing all the work in terms of scoring goals. However it was Paraguay who started the better off as Spain seemed to be relaxed which led to early complacency. Santana forced the first save of the game in just the first minute which Casillas was able to deal with. Paraguay were able to keep Spain quiet by closing the Spanish down as quick as possible and stopping them from their dominance in possession. This made the likes of Villa and Torres very lone figures as service just couldn't arrive to them without numerous defenders around them. Valdez looked the most dangerous for Paraguay at the other end and Spain's defence looked a little shaky. Xavi woke the Spain team up on the half hour mark with a volley that beat Villar but also beat the goal, at the other end Santana came within millimetres of scoring but he failed to get his head to the ball from a decent cross by Morel. Four minutes from half-time Paraguay had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside, this decision caused the commentators some confusion but by the letter of the law it was correct; as the cross came in Cardozo was in an offside position but Valdez wasn't, Cardozo attempted to head the ball but missed and it went over his head to Valdez who scored. The flag correctly went up because Cardozo had attempted to play the ball, making him active and therefore offside. but it was a huge warning for Spain as the teams finished level at half-time.

The second half had as little action as the first during the first fifteen minutes with neither goalkeeper made to work. But after the hour mark the game suddenly burst into life; Paraguay earned their first corner and as it was whipped in Barcelona's Gerard Pique held onto Cardozo's arm and brought him to the ground. The Guatemalan referee had no choice but to give a penalty and Paraguay looked set to take the lead over Spain and possibly cause an upset. Cardozo stepped up and like Adiyiah's penalty for Ghana it wasn't struck neatly into the corner and Casillas saved it. A minute later Spain went up the other end and Alcaraz fouled Villa in their box, another penalty was awarded, Alcaraz looked to be the last man as well and was very fortunate not to be sent off. Alonso stepped up and scored the penalty but the Guatemala official disallowed it for encroachment of Spain's part. Take two and this time Villar parried the penalty away where a mad scramble occurred. Villar looked to have taken Fabregas' legs away and Spain should have had a second penalty but the referee didn't see it and the linesman failed to give it. From their it was Spain who took the initiative and began to press, Iniesta forced a good save from Villar and the match was ten minutes away from extra time. Seven minutes from time and the deadlock was broken; Iniesta ran through the Paraguay midfield and played a good ball to substitute Pedro who fired against the post, it came out to Villa who struck the same post before it rolled across the line to hit the other post and the ball bounced over the line for a fortunate lead. Paraguay should have forced extra time when Casillas parried Barrios' shot to Santa Cruz but he couldn't lift the ball over the Spain captain and Paraguay's fight was over. David Villa had a chance at the other to grab his second but curling effort was saved by Paraguay's captain and it is indeed Spain who will play Germany for that place in the final.

Argentine Annihilation: Germany 4-0 Argentina 3/6/10

Germany line-up: Neuer, Friedrich, Khedira (Kroos, 77'), Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Podolski, Klose, Muller (Trochowski, 84'), Lahm (c), Mertesacker, Boateng (Jansen, 72')
Argentina line-up: Romero, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze, Di Maria (Aguero, 75'), Higuain, Messi, Tevez, Mascherano (c), Otamendi (Pastore, 70'), Rodriguez

They've made Australia look anonymous, Serbia significant and Ghana good in the group stage but since then they've engulfed England and now annihilated Argentina. After their sheer dominating display Germany must be thought of as favourites for this World Cup as South America's grip on the World has now began to fade somewhat. Germany outplayed, outclassed and outwitted the Argentinian giants with a breathtaking performance right from the get go. Germany were 1-0 ahead after just two minutes; Bastian Schweinsteiger, who absolutely dominated the mid-field, took a free-kick just to the left of Argentina's box, it swung in to meet Muller's slight header which went past the stranded Romero. Germany were ahead and the game had to open up which was fantastic news for the neutrals. Germany should have been two up within twenty minutes but Klose managed to fire over from twelve yards after Muller played the ball square to him. Many were thinking whether that might turn the game around for Argentina and within minutes they had the ball in the back of the net but it was disallowed, correctly, for offside on Carlos Tevez's part in the play. Apart from that Argentina couldn't find a way around Germany's defence and relied on long-range efforts which failed to trouble Neuer. Lionel Messi again was disappointing and bows out of the tournament without a goal to his name, he had a few long-range efforts himself but generally failed to miss the target altogether. While Argentina looked for an equaliser before half-time Germany were always looking a threat on the break via Ozil, Muller, Klose and Podolski, the latter could have also put Germany 2-0 ahead before half-time.

The second-half became more open and rather stretched which many thought suited Argentina but their lack of creativity to break through the German defence meant Podolski was free to counter, he made his way into the box before neatly squaring to Klose to tap the ball into the empty net from four yards. With just twenty minutes remaining the game for Argentina looked up and Maradona was already looking a forlorn figure in his technical area. Argentina had no choice but to press even harder and again to avail and like against England, Germany could just break at will and rip Argentina up. My personal man of the match Schweinsteiger made a great little dash from a short corner beating four Argentinian defenders before looping his square ball over the diving Romero where Arne Freidrich was on hand to put the game beyond all doubt at 3-0. This left fifteen minutes on the clock and at this point Germany were just having some fun and Argentina were very much at their mercy. Just before stoppage time Mesut Ozil, who had been rather quiet, was the next to breakout for Germany and Klose was on hand to grab his and Germany's fourth. This leaves Klose level with Gerd Muller on fourteen FIFA World Cup goals just one behind Brazil's Ronaldo which he will be keen to get and maybe even better.

Africa Pays Penalty For Missed Penalties: Uruguay 1-1 Ghana AET, Uruguay win 4-2 on pens 2/6/10

Uruguay line-up: Muslera, Lugano (Scotti, 38'), Fucile, Victorino, Cavani (Abreu, 76'), Suarez, Forlan, Perez, M.Pereira, Arevalo, Fernandez (Lodeiro, HT)
Ghana line-up: Kingson, Sarpei, Gyan, Pantsil, Mensah (c), Annan, Inkoom (Appiah, 74'), Muntari (Adiyiah, 88'), Vorsah, Asamoah, Boateng

In what was a tale of Uruguay versus Africa the rest of the world looked on with mixed support; the romanticists wanted Ghana to win to Africa that happy ending, the purists wanted Uruguay to win because on paper they are the better team, as for the neutrals they didn't really mind who wins but would have thought Uruguay would be the team to do it. It was indeed Uruguay who dominated the first quarter of the match as Ghana failed to get going and Forlan looked very much in the mood to spoil the African party via his dangerous set-pieces. Kingson was very much Ghana's hero as he dealt with chances from both Forlan and Suarez. He even had to stop his own captain from scoring when a shot deflected off Sunderland's Mensah. But Uruguay failed to take advantage of their sustained pressure and Ghana suddenly got themselves in the match. Vorsah and Gyan managed to just hit the edge of the post round about the half-hour mark and it was Uruguay who was holding on. Kevin Prince-Boateng was looking very good yet again and was pulling Ghana's strings, he could have put Ghana ahead just before half-time with a spectacular bicycle kick, but unfortunately for Ghana he didn't connect with it properly and it went over. But Ghana were to have a lead going into half-time via the last action of the half; Muntari found himself in space 35 yards from goal and he decided to smash one, Muslera could only see it late and was unable to prevent it going into the bottom corner.

The second half started the same as the first with Uruguay on the front foot as they searched for that equaliser. Within ten minutes of play Uruguay did find their equaliser courtesy of a curling free-kick from Diego Forlan. Uruguay continued to pile the pressure on and Forlan was playing some great football, a cross managed to beat Kingson but the confident Suarez could only volley into the side netting when many would have put their house on him putting Uruguay ahead. Again Ghana took a while but they did get themselves back in the game and the match started to open up. Suarez nearly took advantage again but Kingson wasn't going to be beaten by his near post and he punched away Suarez's shot in the 71st minute. Again Forlan's free-kicks were looking dangerous and Kingson just couldn't live with them as one hit the side-netting and one was headed over by Suarez who could have had at least a hat-trick.

Neither side could break the deadlock and the game moved into extra time where Ghana began to look the better side, possibly because of their extra time experience against USA in the last round. Gyan began to look predatory and he fired a header over the bar before seemingly beating first-half substitute Scotti but Scotti managed to flick his leg at the ball, which could have gone anywhere, and it managed to just go wide where his defensive partner was on hand to clear for a throw. Boateng also came close for Ghana but his last minute header went just wide. The ultimate drama was to follow and it wasn't even the penalty shoot-out yet; with just seconds left in extra-time and the match hurdling towards the shoot-out Uruguay were desperately hanging on, a corner swung in and Suarez was on the line to block a Mensah header before another header came in and Suarez stopped it via his hands. Ghana were awarded a last gasp penalty and Luis Suarez was sent off meaning he would miss the semi-final, although that looked unlikely with Asamoah Gyan stepping up to take the penalty. Having scored two penalties already this tournament it could be an inevitability that Gyan would score again, but his powered attempt hit the bar and Uruguay were somehow saved, much to the delight of Suarez who was watching from the side.

Uruguay suddenly found themselves to still have a chance of winning and the dreaded penalty shoot-out arrived. Uruguay went first and Diego Forlan made sure Kingson wasn't going to save his penalty. For Ghana, to credit his bravery after just missing a penalty Gyan stepped and made no mistake by sending his effort into the postage stamp (top-corner). Without Suarez to take one, the second fell to Maximiliano Pereira and he blazed it over the bar, Africa could dare to dream. But it was to be short-lived as Appiah stepped up to take the third penalty to make 3-2 but his rolled effort went straight into the arms of Muslera and scores stayed level at 2-2. The tide turned as under-20 World Cup winner Adiyiah stepped up and produced a similar effort to Appiah just with more power and again Muslera saved. This left Sebastien Abreu to step up and win the game for Uruguay, he played a cool, almost ridiculous chip that because Kingson dived to his left found its way into the net. Uruguay now meet Holland in the semi-finals but have worse problems than the Dutch as they will be most definitely without Suarez and Fucile but could also be without captain Lugano as he limped off in the first-half which should give Holland the edge.

Meliocre: Holland 2-1 Brazil 2/7/10

Holland line-up: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Van Bronkhorst (c), Van Bommel, Kuyt, De Jong, Van Persie (Huntelaar, 85'), Sneijder, Robben, Ooijer
Brazil line-up: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio (c), Juan, F.Melo, Bastos (G.Melo, 62'), Gilberto, Luis Fabiano (Nilmar, 77'), Kaka, Robinho, Alves

Holland come from behind to overcome the five time World champions and book their place in the semi-finals. It was a very feisty match with tensions running high from the start which the Japanese referee and his officials dealt with comfortably. Within the opening two minutes Brazil were in the mood and passed the ball about majestically, Robinho clearly brought his man down but he wasn't happy and a brawl nearly ensued but the referee calmed matters quickly and play resumed. Brazil gave the first warning sign within the first ten minutes when Robinho found the net, however it was ruled due to Luis Fabiano being offside before playing the ball to Robinho across the six yard box. But on the tenth minute Robinho was to have his goal after a beautiful defence splitting ball from Felipe Melo, who had a very interesting game, from the half-way line to find Robinho who had stepped in between the defence before finishing past the on-rushing Stekelenburg. Holland were nearly level straight after when Kuyt broke free down the wing and cut inside before forcing Julio Cesar to palm the ball away for a corner. Despite that attack it was Brazil who were looking most likely to score the next goal and they should have been 2-0 up after Alves picked up on a half-cleared corner and crossed into Juan who tapped it over the bar when he should be at least hitting the target. Robinho was arguably the best player in the first half and when he started a move which ended up in Luis Fabiano finding Kaka on the edge of the box, Kaka showed a little of his former self (before his move Real Madrid) by curling a shot into the top corner but Stekelenburg produced a fine save with his outstretched hand to deny the Brazilian.

Holland came out in the second half with their tails up and slowly started to change the game into their favour. Brazil arguably should have been down to ten men when Michel Bastos brought down Robben and if he hadn't have been booked in the first half would have most definitely have been booked for that challenge so should have walking down the tunnel. But justice was to be done as Sneijder took a quick free-kick down the wing to Robben who played the ball back to Sneijder, he swung in a cross where Julio Cesar came out to punch but ran into Felipe Melo who could only skim a header into the far corner and Holland were level with 53 minutes played. Due to Bastos' luck and not being sent off Dunga thought it necessary to replace him with Gilberto Melo as Robben was becoming a handful down the wing. Kaka came close again for Brazil with a clever volley via the inside of his foot but it just sailed wide. Just under twenty minutes to go and Holland went ahead thanks to some more slack Brazil defending; Robben swung a corner into the near post where Kuyt had out-witted his marker to flick behind him where Sneijder was unmarked to head the ball home into the empty net. Brazil's challenge began to fade when karma came around and due to petulance and stupidity, Brazil were down to ten men. Robben was brought down by Felipe Melo who lost his cool and deliberately stamped on the back of Robben's leg and was deservedly sent off. If anyone was going to score again if looked to be Holland as Brazil could create only half-chances, notably one from a trilogy of corners where Van Bommel misjudged the flight of the ball of the third corner and Stekelenburg could palm the ball out in front of him where, luckily, Dirk Kuyt was on hand to clear. Holland though were constantly catching Brazil on the counter and either Robben, Huntelaar, Sneijder or Kuyt could have grabbed a third but it didn't matter. Holland now are clear favourites to reach the final with a semi against either Uruguay or Ghana but they will be without Van Der Wiel and De Jong through suspension after picking up second yellow cards of the tournament.