Soccer News & Fansite

Spain 1, Netherlands 0 (after Added Extra Time)

Holland:
1- Maarten Stekelenburg;
2- Gregory van der Wiel, 3- John Heitinga, 4- Joris Mathijsen, 5- Giovanni van Bronckhorst(C);
7- Dirk Kuyt, 6- Mark van Bommel, 10- Wesley Sneijder, 8- Nigel de Jong,
11- Arjen Robben 9- Robin van Persie.


Spain:
1- Iker Casillas (C);
15- Sergio Ramos, 3- Gerard Pique, 5- Carles Puyol, 11- Joan Capdevila;
14- Xabi Alonso, 8- Xavi, 6- Andres Iniesta, 16- Sergio Busquets;
18- Pedro, 7-David Villa.


Referee: Howard Webb (England)

There is a time every aspiring footballer dreams of in his lifetime. Above the desire to win a domestic league, to win a continental cup, to be made a captain of your club, lies the ultimate dream of winning a World Cup.

Last night, we saw a final showdown between two teams aspiring to win their maiden title. Holland, twice runners-up in the 1970s, had a great tournament, coming through a tightly-contested group to defeat Gods of World Football Brazil, and then South American maestros Uruguay, to reach the final. The Oranje boast some of the most celebrated footballers in the world, with the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Gio Van Bronckhorst, Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben in their starting lineup. Led by Bert van Marwijk, the Dutchies came into the match as determined underdogs, more focused on results than the “Total Football” their countrymen gifted to the world in the seventies.

Their opponents, Spain, came into the tournament as one of the favourites. Long considered underachievers on the big stage, La Roja turned a metaphorical page in 2008 when they won the European Championships, shedding their “bridesmaid” tag. A sense of expectation swept Spain, from Madrid to Barcelona, Valencia to Malaga. The phrase “tenemos derecho creer,” which translates as “we are entitled to believe,” has been the official motto of Vicente Del Bosque’s side. With a squad boasting wondrously talented players such as Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Pedrito and Fernando Torres, one thinks they were more than entitled to believe. A veritable dream team, Spain came into the final after surviving an unexpected wobble in their opening match to Switzerland and shaky form in the round of 16 and quarter-finals, but with confidence after a majestic victory over a strong Germany squad in the semi-finals.

As Howard Webb blew the whistle to signal kick-off, the match immediately stormed to life. As expected, Spain were passing at an astonishing rate early on, consistently outsmarting the Dutch midfield. The first real chance of the match came from a free kick, sent into the area by Barcelona wonder Xaví, controlled beautifully by Sergio Ramos and shot with great touch at Stekelenburg, who did well to save. The following few minutes gave viewers an insight as to what would unfold for the entire match, with La Roja playing passing, attacking football and the Oranje playing a defensive game, man-making certain players and committing some pretty cynical fouls. Spain were utterly dominating possession in the opening stages, with Ramos coming close in the 9th minute, only to have John Heitinga clear his effort. David Villa also came heartbreakingly close early on, but his wonderful volley went into the side netting.

Webb showed his first card of many in the 14th minute, with Arsenal’s Robin van Persie being booked for a reckless challenge on Joan Capdevila. The Oranje were now beginning to look stronger, and started to press forward more often. Carles Puyol was booked for a blatant late tackle on Arjen Robben, and the unruly nature of the match became clear. The resulting free kick, in a decent position, saw Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder shoot straight into the arms of Spanish skipper Iker Casillas. The Dutchies were now well and truly in the match, winning another corner, this time fruitless.

As the first half progressed, the always controversial Mark Van Bommel was booked for a dirty challenge on diminutive midfielder Andres Iniesta, and just moments later Ramos was booked for a foul on Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt. By the half-hour mark, it was clear to all that this was an ill-tempered match, with Webb under constant pressure. The fifth card was for a disgustingly malicious foul on Xabi Alonso by Nigel De Jong, who was truly lucky not to have been shown a straight red. The sides were cancelling each other out, with Pedrito making a noteworthy run for La Roja only to shoot wide, and Robben forcing a majestic save from the wonderful Casillas. As the teams went off for the half, the match was looking more of a slugfest than a spectacle of beautiful football.

The second half got off to a scorcher. Robben tore through the usually unbreakable Spanish midfield and sending a wonderful ball through for Van Persie, who just failed to reach it in time. We were finally seeing end-to-end football, as Spain created a wonderful chance in the 48th minute. Xavi sent a corner onto the area, headed on by Puyol to Capdevila, who astonishingly missed form mere yards out. Immediately, the Dutchies were on the counter, with the prolific Robben striking a wonderful shot from 30 yards out, only to be denied by an on-fire Casillas.

The match was beginning to open up, however the discipline of the players, and the Dutch players in particular, was still leaving a lot to be desired. Talisman Van Bronckhorst and John Heitinga were both booked by referee Webb. Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque was looking uncharacteristically animated on the sidelines, and made his first change of the night at the hour mark, taking off young Pedrito in place of Jesús Navas, favoring width over speed.

The biggest chance of the match came in the next minute, as Gerard Piqué made an error which allowed Robben to go on a solo run, one-on-one with Spain’s keeper; Holland’s scoring star came up short after a save from Casillas to which no superlatives could do justice.

The match was now a more enjoyable affair, with both sides looking hungry. Capdevila was booked for a hasty foul on Van Persie, our eighth booking of the evening. Navas and Villa teamed up to come agonizingly close for Spain in the 70th minute. Now, both teams were playing solidly, and we were finally being treated to an enjoyable spectacle. As the teams continued to press each other, Spain looked the likelier to snatch a winner. As the minutes flew by, it became clear we were heading for dreaded extra time. Del Bosque took off Xabi Alonso, who had been on great form, for Arsenal’s talismanic attacking midfielder Cesc Fabregas. After three minutes of injury time tentatively played by both sides, Webb blew his whistle, and we were heading into “Added Extra Time.”

Spain were looking more dangerous from the off, with Fabregas being the catalyst of a much-improved spell by La Selección. In the 95th minute, the young midfielder had a majestic shot saved by the revelation that has been Maarten Stekelenburg. Iniesta and Navas both came close, but the Dutch were imperious in their defense. Captain Gio Van Bronckhorst was subbed off for the last time of his professional career, and received thunderous applause from both sets of fans. His replacement Rafael Van Der Vaart showed that the Dutch were determined to attack. Fabregas was truly breathtaking for Spain, setting up wonderful passages of play and having some great solo runs of his own. Still goalless, the match moved to the midway point of AET, with the first of two 15-minute periods coming to an end.

Del Bosque then made the risky move of taking off the wonderful Villa for the out-of-form Fernando Torres, signaling tense times for both sides. We saw the inevitable sending off we’d been expecting in the 110th minute, with Heitinga seeing a second yellow for a challenge on Iniesta. Down to ten men, the Oranje were having a torrid time trying to put paid to Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta in the Spanish midfield. Sneijder and Robben both had minor chances, but looked like they lacked belief. Then, with just three minutes remaining in overtime, came the goal that changed football history.

Torres, by his own admission not enjoying his best form, sent the ball forward to Fabregas, who shot a spectacular pass forward to the awaiting Iniesta, who volleyed past Stekelenburg. The reaction in the stadium was deafening. The Oranje looked utterly disconsolate, while the Spanish players and fans were beyond elated. Casillas and others openly wept, but the job wasn’t done yet. The minutes flew by, with the Spanish clearly aching to hear that final whistle. When it came, euphoria gripped the Spanish players, their behind-the-scenes staff, and their legions of fans. We saw tears, hugs, kisses, beaming smiles and pats on the back all round for La Roja. The Dutch looked heartbroken, and shed a few tears themselves after failing to do what the 1974 and 1978 teams couldn’t: win a World Cup final.

The match was not wonderful. It had been ill-tempered, with some of the Oranje letting themselves down in the match of their lives due to bad discipline. They can, however, leave South Africa proud of reaching the final, and beating some wonderful teams on the way.

For Spain, this is a moment that will live in history. More than just a trophy, more than just football, this achievement by Vicente Del Bosque and his men has touched off some remarkable events: Catalonia and Madrid celebrating as one, proud people under the Spanish banner is not something we see every day. It may be overstating things to say bridges have been built, but make no mistake, this victory for La Roja has touched the hearts of those in Barcelona just as much as those in Valencia. Spain have played beautiful football, and even when faced with cynical antics from their opposition in the final, they did not change their style. They may not have played their best football, but are, by all accounts, worthy winners.

And so we come to the end of a dramatic World Cup. We have seen shocks, upsets, heartbreak, elation, pride, despair, shame, hope and joy. South Africa did a wonderful job as hosts, and should be congratulated for their efforts. Seeing the tears run down the faces of the Spanish players, be they from the Basque region, Madrid or Barcelona, we are reminded why the beautiful game is as loved as it is; it unifies people like nothing else on earth.

So, Brazil 2014, anyone?

Emma Hickey
DFN Sports Staff Writer