by Kenneth Hofmann

Created on: July 12, 2010   Last Updated: December 29, 2010

The 2010 World Cup was a tremendous tournament where over thirty games were decided by one goal or less. The World Cup Final between Spain and Netherlands was no exception.  It took extra time for the first goal to go into the net and that goal was by Andres Iniesta. The game winner helped Spain to its first World Cup win in its very rich history.

The match itself was very physical to say the least.  By the end of the game the Dutch had nine different players with yellow cards including one player that would be sent off with a red in the final minutes of the final.  Whether this was a ploy by the team and coach Bert Van Marwjk  to slow down the precision passing of the Spaniards, the end result still did not affect the outcome as it was a brilliant set up pass by Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabgregas that led to the Iniesta game winning goal.

Opponents of this game may say it was a badly called game.  Nevertheless so many fouls called is more of an excuse for the Dutch.  Arjen Robben, one of the best players in Europe had two golden opportunities to score in regular time. Now Robben is shaking his head for not putting at least one of those shots in the back of the net.  In reality both goal keepers played exceptional games as both Spain goalie Iker Cassias and Netherlands goalie Marten Stekelenberg had to make key stops down the stretch to the final minutes.

In the end the aggressiveness of Netherlands finally broke down in the final minutes of extra time. You could tell as a viewer that the Dutch were tentative to not go down too many men with those whom already had cards on them.  Whenever players are carded that much and so many players are one foul away from being ejected that definitely affects team strategy to hold off a little bit more and not making that bad foul that would give your team a big disadvantage.  Spain coach Vincente del Bosque had to notice this dilemma for the Dutch in the final minutes and had to think, why not play aggressive?"A shoot out can often be a crap shoot as to who can hold onto the win.  The decision payed off for team Spain.

Spain is now the 2010 World Cup champion.  Spain a country that is deep in soccer talent where many of the greatest soccer players of the world currently play. Lionel Messi for club team Barcelona FC, Christiano Ronaldo for club team Real Madrid and David Villa, Barcellona FC, all play in Spain year round.  Now those players should feel gratified more than ever that they play in a country that is now noticed again on the world stage not just a runner up country but a champion.  For certain people of South Africa, which was a great host, will remember Spain's run to the cup and now everyone of the world will await to see if they defend the world title in World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Hofmann.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.