(Pic from Yahoo Sport)
European champions, Spain, are World Champions. The South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Holland in Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium closed down curtains to the World's best show. Spain who won 1-0, dominated the beginning of the match, David Villa drawing a fine save from Stekelenburg after only 4 minutes. England referee, Howard Webb, dished about 15 yellow cards for a foul-littered match.
Sergio Ramos curved a way on the left of the Dutch defence, his cross-cum-shot being cleared to safety for a corner with 10 minutes played. Except for a Mathijsen miss after a Robben corner-kick from 12 yards out in the later part of the half, and a Robben low shot that made Cassilas make his first save of the final, there was not much to talk about.
The start of the 2nd half was a Spanish affair, Puyol miss-timing his jump from a corner-kick. Capdevilla should have complemented him by converting the his hit header, but he was completely flat-footed. With 2/3 rd of the game played, Arjen Robben's free-kick was headed just wide by Heitinga. He had his best chance of the game 3 minutes later in a 1 v 1 with Cassilas, with the later stretching his right foot to save a sure goal.
David Villa failed to convert a simple tap-in from close-range in the 70th minute. Iniesta was always lucky to survive Howard Webb's free yellow cards a million times in the match. Spain began calling the shots, coming close with Villa and Ramos.
Robben wrestled with Puyol bulldozing his way out to another 1 v 1 with the goalkeeper with about 5 minutes to the normal 90. That was about it in regulation time of a typical final: boring without much flair or offence.
Spain were first off the block in Extra-time, penetrating in the middle and claiming a penalty, Cesc Fabregas coming face to face with the goalie who saved by his right boot and Iniesta taking his sweet time on the ball when he had a goalkeeper to beat. Van Bommel came all the way from the North Pole to dispossess him. Navas also came close bot found the side netting.
The Dutch showed signs of fatigue going forward as the match went on. Frankly, I expected Spain to show heavy legs, but they were pushing for a winner.
Heitinga held back Iniesta, inviting the wrath of Webb who obliged with a second yellow for the defender who went for an early shower with 11 minutes of play remaining. Sniejder's free-kick deflected off Fabregas but the referee gave a goal-kick.
Spain won it through Iniesta with 5 minutes of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup final remaining. Iniesta will be the talking point of the final forever, many thinking he should not have been in the game after horrendous fouls committed in regulation time. There were tears of joy and tears of pain the world over as the finest show finally came to an end.
VIVA ESPANA.
The FIFA 2010 final was a good match, well balanced in the 2nd half. In the 2nd half we watched real football but in the end it was Spain who got the winner. Both sides had missed chances and i feel the game should have been sealed in the 90 minute regular time.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about the ref but i think he had a good game,he made some questionable decisions but overall he wasn't bad.
In the end a new superpower house emerged in this world cup.
Wow, an excellent summary of the match. I concur that the match should have been won and lost without extra time. As for the referee, yes he didn't have a bad day in the office. Those with orange blood will feel a little cheated because of Iniesta's conduct, given he went on to score the winner.
ReplyDeleteThe sweetest part of your comment is your last line. A new Super Power in Football. Though late in coming, it's here and the football gap is really narrowing, which is beautiful.