Somos el numero uno
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Spain have made it to their first FIFA World Cup Finals. For the Netherlands this is their third time. Neither country have ever won the World Cup. This reminds me of that old saying: "third time lucky". Another first is that no European nation has ever won the World Cup final outside of Europe. For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, an European nation will win the World Cup on foreign soil.
After reviewing all the team and player match stats from both Holland and Spain, we thought we´d highlight some of the stats related to both 2010 World Cup Finalists.
Fouls & Indiscipline - Advantage Netherlands
Netherlands are the fouling champions. They have commited more fouls than any other team in this World Cup. On the flip-side, Spain are the team that suffer the most fouls - 106 thus far this World Cup tournament. This looks like a recipe for alot of fouls by Netherlands on Spain. However, Spain are a better tackling team with 14 tackles vs 9 from the Netherlands.
The dutch have the worst disciplinary record of all 32 teams in the tournament: 15 yellow cards. Spain are the most disciplined team having only suffered 3 yellow cards in all their matches. One more than North Korea who only played 3 games. This may be a field day for Howard Webb. Let´s hope this englishman can count.
Attacking - Spain vs Holland - no advantage.
Spain are the most attacking team with a total of 103 shots with 40 of these shots on goal. Netherlands have more shots on goal than the Spanish at 41, but have only shot 80 times. An Impressive 50% shot on target ratio.
Spain also lead all teams in the most number of attacks with 97. Netherlands only have 60 attacks in comparison.
Spain lead all teams with most corner and crosses, 48 and 146 respectively. That's not all, they also lead all teams with most completed passes: 3387. Almost 1000 more than the dutch have made. In terms of Passing Completion, well guess what? That also goes to Spain. Again, the highest passing completion rate of 81% of all nations. I guess one team will have more possession on Sunday. But possession and wide shots don't really matter if you can't score.
Stamina, Work Rate, Territorial advantage - Advantage Spain
Spain and Netherlands are close in terms of distance they have covered on the pitch with Spain leading 3rd overall with 631 Km covered. Behind them in 4th sit the Dutch with 617 Km covered. Spain do lead when it comes to the distance covered with ball posession with 288km, behind them Germany with 267KM and after them Netherlands with 246KM. Maybe the dutch have been saving their energy for the final. They´ll surely need it!
Let´s break this down further. See below a detailed list of statistics for both Spain and Netherlands.
Spain World Cup 2010 Statistics
Spain have Won 5 and Lost 1. The mighty Spaniards have only scored 7 goals and allowed 2. Pretty impressive defending.
Their top Scorers are David Villa (5), Iniesta (1) and Carles Puyol (1) all from FC Barcelona. Spain have 103 shots (the highest of all teams) an average of 17 shots per game. The top shooters on the spanish team are David Villa (26), Iniesta (10), Ramos (9), Pedro (5) and Navas (4)
In the passing department, it's a whole different story. Xavi leads the way with 570 Passes @ 81% completion rate, followed by Xabi Alsonzo 491 @ 81%, Sergio Busquets 475 @ 88%, Gerard Pique 446 @ 85% and Capdevilla with 412 @ 82%.
Spain have acumulated a total of 3 Yellow Cards thus far in 6 matches. In the fouling department, one player stands out. Right back Sergio Ramos lead the Roja with 15, followed by Xabi Alonso 9, Sergio Busquets 7, Carles Puyol 5, Fernando Torres 5.
In the attacking and scoring department, the Spanish goals can be broken down as follows:
* Goals During 1st half – 3
* Goals during 2nd half – 4
* Open Play Goals - 6
* Set Piece Goals - 1
* Suffered 2 goals, both in the 2nd half.
* Have hit the post once
* Have hit the bar twice
* Attacks from the left 29
* Attacks from the right 33
* Attacks from the centre 35
* Spains Goal to Shot ratio is a meager 7% Ratio
In the posession and passing deparment, Spain are Los Kings:
* 4206 Passes - 3387 Completed (81% average)
* 631 Long Passes - 401 Completed (64% average)
* 2627 Medium Passes - 2221 Completed (85% success)
* 948 Short Passes - 765 completed. (81% success)
* 126 throw ins with 106 completed.
* 146 Crosses with 40 completed.
Holland World Cup 2010 Statistics
The Netherlands have a perfect record this world cup. Holland has won all 6 matches.
Their top Scorers are Wesley Sneijder (5), Arjen Robben (2), Dirk Kuyt (1), Robin Van Persie (1), Klaas Huntelaar (1), Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (1) and one Own Goal by leg-stomping Felipe Melo. The Netherlands trail the spanish in shots with only 80, but they have made it count when it comes to accuracy. They currently enjoy the highest goal-to-shot ratio (50%). The top dutch shooters are Sneijder (22), V. Persi (15), Kuyt (11), Van Der Vaart (10) and Arjen Robben (7). Now that's some firepower!
In the passing department, the top five passers are led by left-back Bronckhorst with 344 Passes @ 72% completion rate, followed by Van Bommel 339 @ 78%, Sneijder 325 @ 71%, Heitinga 301 @ 78% and Kuyt with 288 @ 64%.
The dutch have acumulated a grand total (the most of any nation) of 15 Yellow Cards thus far in all of the 6 matches they have played. In the fouling department, the lime-light is shared by the full squad. Leading the way are Sneijder 13, Van Bommel 12, G. Bronckhorst and V. Persie both 9 and Dirk Kuyt with 7.
In the attacking and scoring department, the Holland goals can be broken down as follows
* With 12 total goals Scored, none have been on penalties
* 3 have occured in the first half.
* 8 have been in the 2nd half goals.
* 9 open play goals
* 1 set piece goals
* Have suffered 5 goals. 2 on penalties.
* 2 goals in the first half and 3 in the 2nd half.
* Have hit the post twice and the bar once.
* 20 of their attacks have come from the left.
* 15 from the right.
* 25 from the centre.
* The dutch hold an impressive 15% goal-to-shot ration. Watch out Casillas!
In the possession and passing deparment, the dutch are not too shabby either:
* 3366 Passes and 2434 completed (72% success)
* 618 Long passes with 314 of those successfull for a long pass success of 51%.
* 2030 Medium Passes with 1619 completed for an average of 80%.
* 718 short Passes with 501 completed for a 70% success rate.
* 119 throw ins with 82 successfull.
* 87 Crosses with 23 successfull.
Final verdict - Who will win the World Cup? Holland or Spain?
After reviewing all these stats one would have to give the Spanish a significant edge. Betting houses also agree and are leaning towards the Spanish to lift the 2010 FIFA World Cup trophy with odds favoring them to win in the 90 minutes regulation by 2:1 odds. Ie: Bet 10 and make 20 on Spain. Whereas the Dutch have slightly lesser favorable odds at 3.65:1 or bet 10 and make 36.50 on the Dutch. But we all know that anything can happen in football. The Dutch have shown resiliance and firm nerve. This was shown in their gritty come-back from a 0-1 deficit against Brazil in the 2nd half.
This game has all the attributes to be one of the best World Cup Finals ever. Both teams have confidence going in, no injuries and everything to win or lose! It will be hard to not give the edge to Spain, but considering this is Holland's third time at the final, we have a hunch the Dutch might just edge this one. Regardless of the final score, history will be made on July 11th in South Africa.
Our prediction: Netherlands 2-1 Spain.
To watch Netherlands vs Spain or read World Cup Match preview visit the World Cup 2010 Final match page: Spain vs Holland here.
For further details, please refer to the articles listed below. Enjoy Soccer - The greatest game on the planet!
