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2010 World Cup Final: Netherlands 0-1 (AET) Spain – Report

Angela Asante, July 11 2010,
Spain are the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions. Andres Iniesta’s controversial 116th minute goal saved the day for the 2008 European Champions. For the third time in their history, the Netherlands lost a World Cup final.

Spain celebrate Andres Iniesta's goal
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2010 FIFA World Cup final–Netherlands vs Spain, Normal Time: Controversy And No Goals

The first action of the game saw Robin Van Persie kick Sergio Busquets on the calf of his right leg as early as inside the 1st minute. The Dutch were already feeling the pressure and committing unnecessary fouls. Sergio Ramos was the victim of one of those and the resulting free-kick taken by Xavi Hernandez almost saw the Real Madrid defender break the deadlock. But Sergio Ramos’ header was outstandingly saved by Holland’s goalkeeper.

The Oranje shot stopper was set to play a big role on the night as the Spanish were playing their trademark possessive football. Surprisingly, the hero of the 2008 European Championship final Fernando Torres was left on the bench; his position was rather filled by Barcelona’s youngster Pedro. David Villa side netted a shot before Xabi Alonso directed another one just wide to inflict more pressure on the nervous Dutch.

 

Nigel De Jong, who had to miss Holland’s semi-final game against Uruguay through suspension, was fortunate to remain on the pitch after the half hour mark. His terrible kick on Xabi Alonso’s chest should have certainly saw him earn a red card, but referee Howard Webb decided to flash the yellow card only. The Netherlands struggled to get into the game. Arjen Robben was their most effective player upfront though while Sneijder was well contained by Sergio Busquets.

The atmosphere in the match was tense and the last real action of the first period closed with Iker Casillas stretching himself to punch away Arjen Robben’s powerful low shot from the right side of the penalty area. So far, so good for the Spanish; the only thing that was missing in their delightful poHolland's Arjen Robben and Van Persie react after missing a great opportunity.ssessive football was a goal.

Capdevila was to blame in the early minutes when he failed to connect from three yards out to a Puyol header during a corner. The Dutch collected as many yellow cards as one could imagine. In the 55th minute, Heitinga became the latest victim for a reckless challenge on David Villa. The Netherlands had found ways to build their game as well and the greatest chance of the match fell onto Arjen Robben. It was rather shocking to see the Bayern Munich winger waste that one-on-one opportunity as Casillas’ legs knocked the ball away for a corner.

David Villa made an equally stunning miss inside the 69th minute for the score line to remain 0-0 at the relief of the Netherlands with 20 minutes to go down the clock. Substitute Jesus Navas injected a lot of pace and danger on the right flank; Holland’s Eljero Elia was meant to do exactly the same, if not more, as he came in for Dirk Kuyt.

As time was running out, Spain were piling more pressure on the Dutch with their Barcelona-like type of football. Sergio Ramos directed a free header over the top of the goal post before Iker Casillas again produced an excellent stop to prevent Arjen Robben from rounding him up to score an 82nd minute goal. The Dutch player eventually picked up a yellow card for yelling at Howard Webb as he was showing his anger at a denied penalty appeal.

Robin Van Persie could have well gone into the referee’s book for the second time in the match when he continued his run towards goal although the offside call had gone up. Spain kept possession inside the last seconds of added time until Eljero Elia broke their flow. But Wesley Sneijder could only fire a long range strike off target as the game headed into extra time.

Heitinga is being shown the red card.2010 FIFA World Cup Final–Netherlands vs Spain, Extra Time: This Time For Spain!

For the first time in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Spain and Holland had to play extra time to decide their fate. The Spanish kicked off this part of the game strongly–as if they all had fresh legs. Andres Iniesta and substitute Cesc Fabregas looked so close to scoring at two separate occasions before the 100th minute mark.

But once again, the Netherlands’ defense would have to be congratulated to keep the result goalless. Rafael van der Vaart came in for Nigel de Jong in a bizarre decision from Coach Bert van Marwijk. The Dutch defense had so many holes and Jesus Navas almost punished it when his firing shot got deflected by Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s knees for a corner kick which resulted into nothing. Fabregas again knocked on the Netherlands’ door with a good attempt from outside the penalty box but the ball rolled out for a goal kick.

Nothing could separate the two sides when the first half of extra time came to an end. The talking point was around what happened in the early moments of that period when consecutive tackles on Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, and then Xavi in the penalty box went unpunished. David Villa’s time was up. Vicente del Bosquet introduced Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres in replacement of the new Barcelona striker as Spain were looking to break the deadlock ahead of the second half.

The Netherlands suffered a big blow in the 110th minute when Heitinga was wrongly flashed the red card after Andres Iniesta went rather very easily onto the ground.

Finally, Xavi HernaAndres Iniesta runs in celebration, Holland players react in horror.ndez sent the resulting free-kick into the stands; the Dutch could therefore regroup. Now if Heitinga’s yellow card was controversial, Arjen Robben’s attitude was also questionable. The star winger pulled the ball across the goal line after being aware of the referee’s offside call.

Then, the moment arrived for Spain to triumph: Andres Iniesta, whose injury time wonder goal against Chelsea sent Barcelona into the final of the 2008/09 Champions League final, scored four minutes from time to give Spain the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy. But controversy was there: first, there was a clear corner kick for Holland which wasn’t awarded before a clear foul on Eljero Elia went unpunished as Spain broke forward before Iniesta scored the winning goal.

In the end, the man at the centre of the game would have to be referee Howard Webb for all the controversial decisions that shaped the match. Golden Ball nominees Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben never did enough on the night for the Netherlands. Captain Iker Casillas and his men had made history. Spain are the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions!




 

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