Just one game remained for all four teams in the semifinals. The question was, would it be for the World Cup Trophy, or for third place.
In the first game of the semi's, Uruguay took on the Netherlands.
Both teams had beaten expectations to make it this far, and it was sad that one of them would not go on to contest for the title of World Champion.
Both sides made changes in their starting lineups from their last games. Uruguay was missing the likes of Luis Suarez, Diego Lugano, Jorge Fucile, and Alvaro Fernandez. They were replaced by Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Walter Gargano, and Alvaro Pereira. Holland was missing Gregory Van Der Wiel and Nigel De Jong, and replaced them in the starting lineup with Khalid Boulahrouz.
Like in almost every game the Dutch play, they immediately started off the game controlling the possession and pushing the tempo. Just five minutes in, Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt had an opportunity to put Holland ahead, but his strike on goal from the left side of the box flew over the net.
In the 18th minute, Holland got their goal when Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, the eldest outfield player on the team, hit an absolutely stunning strike from 30 yards away with his left boot, that, as though being guided by a laser, went right past the outstretched arm of the Uruguayan keeper Muslera and into the top corner of the net.
It was sheer brilliance from the Dutch captain, who decided before the tournament began that he would hang up his boots and retire at its conclusion.
Holland continued to put pressure on the Uruguayan defense, but against the run of play, Diego Forlan hit a masterful equalizer of his own.
After receiving the ball just beyond midfield, he ran at the Dutch defense, dribbling with his right foot before switching to his left, and then hitting a curling blast of his own that went deceived Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenberg and forced him to move the wrong way before flying into the back of the net.
If anyone could keep Uruguay's hopes alive, it was certainly "El Diego" and his goal put the game level at one a piece in the 41st minute.
In the middle of the second half, the ever dangerous Forlan hit a free kick that was well saved by Stekelenberg, keeping the game level.
Just eight minutes later, Holland nearly found their second goal, when striker Robin Van Persie found the substitute Rafael Van Der Vaart inside the box. Van Der Vaarts left footed shot was well saved by the diving Muslera, but the rebound went straight to the lethal Dutch winger Arjen Robben. However, Robben's effort went to pieces when his shot ended up about 20 rows behind the goal.
Just a couple minutes later, Holland found their answer.
Robben dribbled in towards goal on the right side, before centering the ball to a teammate at the top of the box. A couple of passes later, and quarter final hero and team playmaker Wesley Sneijder controlled the ball, and took a shot that slithered into bottom corner of the net after a small deflection, giving the Dutch a 2-1 lead in the 71st minute.
It was the fourth goal of the tournament for Sneijder, who is looking more and more like a candidate for the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player of the tournament.
And two minutes later, in the 73rd minute, Holland added a third goal to ensure their place in the World Cup Final for the first time in 32 years.
Kuyt crossed the ball in from the left side, and of all people Robben came around his defender and sent a perfectly placed header into the far corner, freezing Muslera in the process and sending his squad to Johannesburg for the Final.
Not even a late goal in the second minute of injury time from Maxi Pereira could help Uruguay's cause, and the game held up at that scoreline, 3-2 in favor of Holland.
I'm extremely proud of what we've achieved in a really difficult match," said the star midfielder Sneijder. "We're just so happy to be in the Final. We made life difficult for ourselves in the last ten minutes, but that makes winning feel even better. There's nothing bigger than the World Cup Final, it's massive, fantastic.
