Spain have won the 2010 FIFA World Cup!

European champions Spain looked the more assured early on in the clash at Soccer City as a nervous-looking Dutch side ceded territory to their slick opponents.

Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was forced into a diving save after five minutes when Sergio Ramos headed a Xavi cross goalwards while Spain forward David Villa crashed a volley into the side netting with the goal looming.

However, a series of free kicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfield enforcers Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm.

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Holland are in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday after they beat Uruguay 3 – 2 last night.

Goals from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben secured a semi-final victory over Uruguay in Cape Town and a chance to avenge defeats on the game’s biggest stage in 1974 and 1978.

Bert van Marwijk’s side may not delight like the ‘Total Football’ Dutch teams from the playing days of Johan Cruyff.

But having waited so long, theOranje will care little for that as they prepare to bring their own glow to Johannesburg in a meeting with either Spain or Germany.

Captain Van Bronckhorst brilliantly put his side in front before former Manchester United star Diego Forlan levelled with a goal that ultimately was not quite enough, even though Maximiliano Pereira’s strike gave a glimmer of hope in stoppage time.

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Arjen Robben returned for Netherlands to help them with a comfortable 2-1 win over Slovakia in Durban on Monday and put them into the World Cup quarterfinals. Brazil thrashed Chile 3 – 0 to show that they can still be considered to be favorites to  lift the World Cup on June 11.

Winger Robben, making his first start in South Africa after suffering a hamstring injury, rifled home a solo effort after 18 minutes to give the Dutch the lead, before Wesley Sneijder wrapped it up six minutes from the end.

Slovakia, who last week sent holders Italy packing with a 3-2 upset, got a consolation with the last kick of the game when Robert Vittek netted from the penalty spot.

“That was nice today. If you’re at the World Cup it should be fun. We didn’t play our best match today but the important thing is that we advanced,” said Robben, adding he has not yet reached his peak form just three weeks after his injury.

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