Sneijder 70        Maxi Pereira 90 + 2

                                                                                                         Robben 73

Arjen Robben’s wonderful header settled this curate’s egg of a World Cup semi-final in Holland’s against a plucky, understrength Uruguay.

There were two spectacular goals but little else in a cagey first-half. Holland took the lead when Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s ambitious 40-yard left-foot drive arrowed in to the top right-hand corner of the net.

Diego Forlan equalised with a 25-yard left-footer which swung past flailing Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Holland were more adventurous after half-time and two goals in three minutes looked to have sealed victory, although the first was controversial.

Wesley Sneijder’s deflected right-foot shot passed under an offside Robin Van Persie before going in off the post but the referee’s assistant failed to flag.

Moments later, Robben headed home Dirk Kuyt’s left-wing cross.

Uruguay pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Maxi Periera’s left-foot curler. But the Dutch withstood some frantic late pressure to reach the final.