The match's first chance, albeit a half one, came to Dirk Kuyt in the third minute, when a poor punch from Uruguyan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera gave the left winger a chance in the left side of the penalty box.
Arjen Robben broke through Martín Cáceres on the right side of attack but could only put an attempted cross off a defender. The blocked ball came out to Wesley Sneijder who lofted a cross to the middle of the Uruguayan penalty area. Muslera came early for a punch that was awkwardly hit to the left side of the box. Kuyt was there for a half-volley back at the disorganized goalkeeper, though his shot went over the bar.
Uruguay and the Netherlands remain scoreless in the seventh minute.