World Cup 2010: Dutch learn to put function above flair | Richard Williams | Football | guardian.co.uk

 

Mark van Bommel has a word with Brazil's Daniel Alves during Holland's 2-1 quarter-final victory. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images

Before his team eliminated Brazil from the 2010 World Cup on Friday evening Bert van Marwijk promised us that total football was dead, and his team lived up to their head coach's words. Holland were as far from the gilded generation of Cruyff, Neeskens, Krol and Rensenbrink as Dunga's Brazil were from the team of Pelé, Gérson, Tostão and Clodoaldo.