Spain 1 Holland 0

Sunday, 11/07/2010

Report: Lee Price

Spain won their first-ever World Cup, thanks to Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner.

With penalties just four minutes away, the Barcelona midfielder lashed home Cesc Fabregas’ clever pass to see off ten-man Holland.

In doing so, they became the first European country in World Cup history to win the competition outside of their home continent and the first to win the tournament having lost their opening game.

The major talking point before kick-off was Vicente Del Bosque’s decision to exclude Fernando Torres from his starting line-up, preferring instead Barcelona winger Pedro.

Del Bosque seemed reluctant to introduce the Liverpool frontman at all – bringing on Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas before eventually using him as his final throw of the dice in the second half of extra-time.

Sergio Ramos produced the only real chance of the opening half, forcing a fine save from Maarten Stekelenburg with a header from point-blank range after four minutes.

It was from a free-kick that the marauding Real Madrid full-back had won himself, but his header was too close to the keeper.

Holland, meanwhile, were lucky to go in at the break with all eleven men still on the pitch. Mark Van Bommel committed four or five yellow card worthy fouls, while Man City midfielder Nigel De Jong should’ve been dismissed after a disgraceful lunge.

His tackle was high and vicious, studding Xabi Alonso in the chest with some force. Just half an hour had been played and De Jong was incredibly fortunate that Howard Webb’s view of the incident was restricted.

It summed up the game – Holland were desperate to deny Spain space and were prepared to resort to a physical approach to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm.

Such was the aggressive approach, Webb was taking centre stage – dishing out an incredible 14 yellow cards and a red. That set a new record high for amount of cards in a World Cup Final, the previous high was six yellows in 1986.

Arjen Robben was played clear through on goal by an incisive Wesley Sneijder through ball on the hour mark, but the Bayern wideman was denied by an excellent save with the legs by Casillas. It was a gilt-edged chance for the Dutch – the first they’d created.

As the game went into extra-time, it was Fabregas’ turn to squander a one-on-one.

As both teams threw caution to the wind, Johnny Heitinga was shown a second yellow card for a professional foul on Iniesta running through on goal.

That gave Spain the impetus to break the deadlock, striking on the counter-attack to prompt wild scenes in Johannesburg.

Goal:

Iniesta (116)

Man of the Match: Andres Iniesta - has to be the star man for keeping his cool and sealing the win for Spain.

For reports of previous matches at the tournament go to the International section.

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