Netherlands vs Uruguay: World Cup head-to-head record
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Netherlands have a perfect World Cup record against Uruguay, winning both of their all-time meetings without dropping a single game. Across two encounters spanning 1974 to 2010, the Dutch have scored five goals and conceded just two, never losing or drawing against the South Americans on football's biggest stage.
The two sides first met at the 1974 World Cup group stage, where the Netherlands cruised to a 2-0 victory. Their second and most dramatic clash came in the 2010 semifinal in South Africa, where the Dutch edged a thrilling 3-2 contest to advance to the final.
All-time World Cup H2H summary
No team has beaten the Netherlands at the World Cup in this fixture. Uruguay, despite being one of international football's historic powerhouses and a two-time World Cup winner (1930, 1950), have yet to find a way past the Dutch. The head-to-head record stands at: Played 2 | Netherlands wins 2 | Draws 0 | Uruguay wins 0.
Every Netherlands vs Uruguay World Cup match
| Year | Stage | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Group Stage (Matchday 1) | Uruguay 0-2 Netherlands | Netherlands |
| 2010 | Semifinal | Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands | Netherlands |
Match context
The 1974 meeting was part of the Netherlands' dominant run to the final under Rinus Michels, where Total Football overwhelmed a Uruguayan side that managed no reply. The 2010 semifinal in Cape Town was a far tighter affair — Uruguay led, the Dutch levelled and then pulled ahead, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's long-range stunner among the highlights — before the Netherlands held on for a 3-2 win and booked their place in a second World Cup final. Fans looking ahead to a potential 2026 rematch can track fixtures and live scores at Bola 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Have Netherlands ever lost to Uruguay at the World Cup?
No. Netherlands have never lost to Uruguay at the World Cup. In two meetings — 1974 and 2010 — the Dutch won both times, and there have been no draws between the two sides.
When did Netherlands beat Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup semifinal?
Netherlands defeated Uruguay 3-2 in the 2010 World Cup semifinal played in Cape Town, South Africa, progressing to the final where they ultimately lost to Spain.
How many times have Netherlands and Uruguay met at the World Cup?
Netherlands and Uruguay have met exactly twice at the World Cup — once in the 1974 group stage (Netherlands won 2-0) and once in the 2010 semifinal (Netherlands won 3-2).