CAPE TOWN, South Africa | Arjen Robben emerged from the bottom of a celebration pile, mud on his brow and a smile on his face.
For good measure, he threw kisses at his teammates and fans. His goal gave the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Uruguay on Tuesday and a spot in the World Cup final.
Now that’s a Dutch treat!
The big prize — that elusive first title — is still one game away. But this was such a moment to savor that most of the squad made a curtain call nearly an hour after the biggest Netherlands victory in decades, leading about 1,000 orange-clad fans in cheers that figure to last until Sunday.
That’s when the Dutch play either Spain or Germany for the championship of the world.
“If you win the final, you make yourself immortal, at least in our country,” Robben said. “We will do everything we can to take the Cup back.”
Stars Wesley Sneijder and Robben scored 3 minutes apart in the second half as the Netherlands advanced to its first title match since losing in 1978 to Argentina.
“We are so close,” Sneijder said. “There is nothing bigger than the World Cup.”
Winners of all six games in South Africa, 10 in a row overall and in the midst of a 25-match unbeaten streak, the Dutch have the look of champions.
“This is unforgettable,” said Sneijder, now tied with Spain’s David Villa for top scorer at the tournament (five goals).
Besides the loss to Argentina in ’78, the Netherlands fell in its only other appearance in the final, to West Germany in 1974.
A tournament that looked like a South American fiesta early on will end in a European showdown for the second straight World Cup. Sneijder and Robben made sure of that.
After stunning long-distance goals, first from the Netherlands’ Giovanni van Bronckhorst and then one by Uruguay’s Diego Forlan, the score was 1-1 at the half.
Sneijder’s go-ahead goal came somewhat unexpectedly because Uruguay had shut down the Dutch offense for much of the second half. His left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area barely ticked the leg of defender Maximiliano Pereira and, with the Netherlands’ Robin van Persie almost deflecting it again, the ball skidded past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Then Robben sent a cross from Dirk Kuyt past a flat-footed Muslera with a brilliant header. His teammates piled on in an Oranje Crush celebration, and Robben came up from it muddied and merry — and with the knowledge that, ahead 3-1, the Netherlands was likely headed to the championship match.
Pereira made the Netherlands sweat with a goal in injury time, but the Netherlands was able to hold on for the win.
Uruguay was without striker Luis Suarez, whose hand ball on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time against Ghana saved his team in the quarterfinals. He drew a red card for that, and spent his suspension on the bench Tuesday.
Robben was replaced late in the match, and at the final whistle he fell flat to the turf as he ran back onto the pitch. Mark van Bommel ran over to where the ball came to rest, picked it up and hugged it. His teammates began a joyous stroll around the field as the vuvuzelas blared and Dutch flags waved in the stands.
“Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that,” Sneijder said.
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