First European winner on foreign continent guaranteed
Reuters - Tuesday 06 July 2010, 20:24
JOHANNESBURG - Netherlands' 3-2 victory
over Uruguay on Tuesday ensured that a European team will lift
the World Cup on a foreign continent for the first time.
Germany or Spain, who play the second semi-final in Durban
on Wednesday, will meet Netherlands in the second successive
all-European final after Italy beat France on penalties four
years ago in Germany.
Brazil and Argentina are the only teams to have won the
trophy on a foreign continent with Brazil successful in Sweden
in 1958, Mexico 1970, the United States in 1994 and Japan in
2002, while Argentina won in Mexico in 1986.
A European victory in Sunday's final at Soccer City,
Johannesburg, means they will have 10 World Cup successes, one
more than South America.
The tournament was first contested in 1930.
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