Spain players celebrate with the World Cup trophy at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, July 11, 2010. Spain won 1-0. (AP Photo/Dani Ochoa de Olza)
It took 116 minutes and the goal came from the unlikeliest of sources, but Spain finally claimed their first ever World Cup title thanks to a dramatic late winner from midfielder Andres Iniesta.
Just when the world was steadying itself for only the third ever penalty shoot-out to decide a World Cup final, substitute Cesc Fabregas squared an intelligent ball to an unmarked Iniesta, who responded by lashing the ball past an exposed Maarten Stekelenberg.
“If it goes to penalties, do the Spanish know they can’t pass it to everyone else before they shoot?” was the pithy query from one friend of mine deep into extra-time, but in the end a shoot-out proved unnecessary as the tournament’s best team finally conjured a late winner.
Perhaps it is fitting that Iniesta is the man who will go into the history books, with the Barcelona star enjoying a stellar game in midfield – even if he blew an earlier opportunity in extra-time when he attempted to pass instead of simply shooting on sight.
Yet, for all their possession, the match could have ended so differently for the Spanish had Arjen Robben not been uncharacteristically profligate in front of goal for the Dutch.
Anyone who doubts just how suffocating the pressure of such an occasion can be need only witness Robben’s miss just after the hour mark, when the Bayern Munich man’s blistering pace took him one-on-one with Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, only for Robben to hit the legs of Casillas when the entire goal seemed to be at his mercy.
It was just one of several chances wasted by the Dutch throughout, and while coach Bert van Marwijk’s game plan was one of containment, the Netherlands were deserving finalists on the back of an excellent World Cup.
They had two genuine superstars in Robben and fellow midfielder Wesley Sneijder in their midst, but ultimately their twenty-five match unbeaten run came to an end at the worst possible time.
A shoot-out would have left a bitter exclamation mark at the end of a memorable tournament – particularly if Spain had lost – but justice was finally done when Iniesta kept his head where others around him had previously lost theirs.
That’s not to say that the Netherlands didn’t play their part in an engrossing encounter, but on the balance of play it was a deserving victory for the team from the Iberian peninsula.
The tournament leaves us with some quirky end points, not least the fact that Paul the Octopus once again tipped the winner!
It would have been cruel to see the sea-born soothsayer turned into paella following Spain’s narrow semi-final win over Germany, and one wonders if Paul has as bright a future as the rest of the Spanish national team.
Spare a thought for David Villa, who would have finished with the Golden Boot award had he not drilled his group-stage penalty wide of the goal in Spain’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Honduras earlier in the tournament.
Instead he finished equal top scorer with Sneijder, Uruguay’s ace striker Diego Forlan and emerging German star Thomas Müller, all of whom enjoyed outstanding tournaments.
So it’s congratulations to Spain for their deserving World Cup win, as Vicente Del Bosque’s side claimed the World championship crown to add to their European championship title lifted just two years ago.
A hearty salute must also go out to the people of South Africa, who silenced the doubters with a colourful and entertaining World Cup both on and off the pitch.
It was the best team who won it – both on the night and via their form throughout the entire tournament – as Spain conjured a victory for the football romantics.
Influenced by the Dutch school, fortified by Catalunya – but Spain’s victory was a win for the whole country, and they deserve heartfelt congratulations for a wonderful campaign.
darwin stubby
Guest
so how did the Irish get on ? - get over yourself - it's not surprising that a NZ newspaper is extolling the performance of it's team - a team that copped a large amount of negative comments for actually being there ahead of what some thought were more worthy NH teams ... the All Whites well, and the kiwis are proud of them
pothale
Guest
Light-hearted? It's hilarious. Today's headline: "World heaps praise on our Unbeatables" "Editorial: NZ's rise best aspect of tepid World Cup" Trying to find a story in which the actual winners are discussed is a bit difficult. There's this one: "Soccer: Unhappy Dutch blame ref for defeat" And right down at the bottom of the stories: "Riotous celebrations as Spain wins first World Cup" Has Spain done something to NZ in the past? :)
Andyroo
Guest
I think the Dutch tactics (not the overly physical stuff though) were justified in just how close they got to pinching it. I wouldn't expect them to open up like Chile did and get thumped either. I am also glad to hear I'm not the only one who thinks Basheer is fine.
Marcel
Guest
I went to bed at half time....the first time Ive missed a single second of a final since I started watching in 74. For all the pretty pictures that Spain make in the midfield they almost never look threatening. I can appreciate what they do on a theoretical level ..but I find them dull to watch. The obsession with possession means most attacks stop before they ever really get started because they are not prepared to risk losing the ball. Lots of people disagree, just not my cup of tea personally. Still good to see that the Dutch thuggery wasnt rewarded in the end.
Farqwar
Guest
Not the greatest game I have ever seen but it is hard not to marvel at the magnitude of the moment. When Robben was in on goal with about 10 to go I had one of those "write the future moments". I could see the Dutch holding up the Trophy and the entire nation celerbrating, but it didn't seem to be right. Thankfully order was restored to the universe and Spain won before it was decided by lottery. BTW I would have been happy to see Holland win if they had of played better, more positive football.
MVDave
Guest
Well done Spain...deserved winners but...what was Robben thinking about twice one on one with the keeper? Thought Webb refereed the game well...no one wants to see send offs in the final...nevertheless poor first half regarding quality but much better 2nd half and extra time. Not a great final by any stretch but still interesting with a dramatic end. Dont think they'll be complaining in Madrid and the rest of Spain. Great to see a new name on the most famous trophy on the planet.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Congratulations to Spain, a great team deserved to win. Just on the Dutch, they played that way in the first half to stay in the game, right or wrong. What did you want them to do, roll over and let Spain score at will. It was survival for them and it worked. They played much better in the second half. The anti Dutch feeling is ridiculous, Spain were no angels either. It was a tense game, the biggest prize on offer. Of course Holland were going to be physical. Finals are never great games. Overall the best team won, I counted 6 genuine chances for Spain compared to 3 for Holland. Enough said. Glad it didn't go to penalties. As for the SBS commentary and panel. I agree with others about Foster, he was terrible and should never have been in the commentary Box. The guy is a moaner & dour like his mate Les Murray. David Basheer was quite good, where was the English commentator from earlier games, he was great. As for the panel. Paul Dempsey was a fantastic coup and was the star for SBS. Zelko Kalac is a boofhead and should never feature again while Ned Zelic and David Zrilic were OK. Simon Hill and Andy Harper were much more measured in there analysis and put the SBS mob to shame. Good World Cup.
Alders
Guest
Shame though. I'm a big fan of the Dutch as a people. Has to be the worlds best party nation. That fly kick was classic.. Finally someone going down with a genuine wound haha.
mickh
Guest
Calm down. Light heartedness by the bucket load coming from me. You just read my post the wrong way. I had my tounge firmly in my cheek.
mahony
Guest
A great tournament in overall terms. A few dramas =- balls, bad decisions - but that always happens in a tournament of this significance. I am knackered from a lack of rest - but I am allready planning the Brazil 2014 trip!!!!
mahony
Guest
I agree. I am no Eurosnob - football is much more interesting than that...
JJ
Guest
Why the need for the sarcasm Take it for what it was a light hearted article headline. Seems to be some lingering bitterness about the Kiwis efforts at the world cup. There's no denying it mickh they were unbeaten, no one said they won now did they?
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Spare a thought for those of us who had a little flutter on David Villa finishing the tournament's top scorer!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
At the start of the tournament I predicted a Spain - Netherlands final with the Spaniards going through. Sadly Pauli has eclipsed any hope I have of fame and fortune in this matter.
Franklin Black
Roar Rookie
Casillas the stand out goalkeeper in world football. Will pass the 126 caps he needs for Spain...
Franklin Black
Roar Rookie
Xavi magnificent. Spain were always going to win this tournament. Thought so from the start. Xavi was always going to be the stand out player. Cleaned up nicely did I...
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Actually it's far better than the Champion's League. The football isn't as good but the atmosphere immeasurably so. You should try attending one day, you may even find you enjoy yourself.
Savvas Tzionis
Guest
World Football dodged a bullet today. Imagine if the Dutch had won on the back of incessant and thuggish fouling? And who is going to shut up Fozzie now that he is 'vindicated'? LOL
mickh
Guest
Wow they must have won the World Cup then by that measure. Well done Kiwi's. Thoroughly deserved winners and have won the right to call themselves the Australasian All Whites.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Iker Casillas' big right boot saved the day for Spain against the Robben hoods. Spain deserved to win it and the Dutch were a bit too "aggressive". If it was the same referee who sent off Tim Cahill, the Dutch would have been down to eight men, or maybe not . . . there is a bias against Australia's "physical style of play". We were pretty tame compared to the Dutch "physical style of play". Finals do tend to disappoint don't they and always a degree of caution in not wanting to lose it and try and play catch up football. I was expecting a better game and maybe the penalty shootout would have livened the game up a bit, but then came the Iniesta gooooooaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllll! He had acres of room and heaps of time to pick his shot, where were the defenders? New Zealand, the only undefeated team in the World Cup of 2010. The Kiwis will dine out on that for a long, long time.