For the first time since 1978, Netherlands will compete in the World Cup finals.

The Dutch looked short of ideas for long periods but still had the quality in front of goal when it mattered to set up an all-European final against Euro 2008 champions Spain or Germany in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday.

After Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s spectacular opener, Uruguay was gifted an equaliser when goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg failed to deal with Diego Forlan’s long-range shot.

But Sneijder and Robben again made the difference for the two-time runners-up, who were left hanging on at the end following Maxi Pereira’s injury-time reply. Pereira ran on to a quickly taken free-kick, turned Eljero Ejia and curled a precise shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Uruguay Coach Oscar Tabarez’s team had time to launch a few balls into the Dutch box, but van Marwijk’s side survived and it is they who will go forward hoping it will be third-time lucky for them in a final following their defeats in 1974 and 1978.

However, the Dutch held firm to make sure of their progress.

It was a dramatic end to an often tepid match as Uruguay, who were without the suspended Luis Suarez following his goal-line handball that helped them past Ghana in the quarter-finals, only showed real attacking intent when they fell two goals behind.