How Spain Beat Holland: A Blow–blow Account Of The Final
Post by Suresh Iyer
Spain’s search for a goal came right after 117 minutes of regulation when Andres Iniesta latched on to a Torres pass in front of aim mouth, and shot residence to aid Spain win football’s biggest prize of all. In the method, Holland tasted defeat for the 3rd time in a ultimate.
In a match that became progressively bodily with the two sides discouraged in their bid to score, Holland had cause for annoyance, when moments previously, referee Webb selected to dismiss a palpable deflection off Fabregas following a free kick, and did not award a corner.
It was a deserved victory for Spain in a tense match of frayed tempers that saw the awarding of 14 yellow cards like a 2nd yellow to Heitinga and a consequential sending off, in the 109th minute.
If the Dutch had won it would have produced them only the 2nd group to go by means of a World Cup (qualifying matches included) unvanquished. Brazil remain the only team to have achieved it, in 1970.
Spain keeper and captain, Casillas prevented Arjen Robben from scoring in a a single-on-one contest in the 2nd 50 percent that would have offered Holland the lead.
Sergio Ramos and Fabregas, a late entrant as substitute, also missed similar chances for Spain, Ramos heading the ball about.
But Fabregas much more than produced up with a by way of ball to Iniesta that gave Spain their target and win, in a Entire world Cup that saw them losing their opening match. Spain also set a document by winning the Globe Cup with the fewest goals scored, eight in seven matches.
A magnificent closing ceremony attended by former president Nelson Mandela was contrasted by a dull first fifty percent.
Spain commenced with great intent, maintaining possession, and finding previous a tentative Holland defence. Only a brilliant save by Stekelenburg could retain Ramos’s header out in the 4th moment.
Holland struggled to get a grip on the proceedings, and their rhythm was additional upset by a flurry of yellow cards awarded by referee Webb.
5 yellow cards marked the 1st 28 minutes of play, with some tough tackles leaving Webb with no choice.
Holland’s van Bommel’s rear assault on Iniesta acquired him a yellow nevertheless, de Jong was fortunate to escape booking following planting a foot on Xabi Alonso’s chest. Alonso wasted the resultant free kick choosing to shoot straight from over and above 40 yards, as an alternative of combining with a teammate.
Robben minimize inside for the duration of injury time and a very low left-footer induced a excellent help save from Casillas.
Right away after fifty percent-time, Spain missed heading ahead, when Capdevila failed to get a touch on Puyol’s flick-on.
There had been flashes of brilliance in a 2nd fifty percent that noticed the bookings go on. A by means of ball from Sneider – strangely peaceful on the evening – and a delayed shot off it by Robben was only just stored out with an outstretched leg, by Casillas.
This was followed by an unmarked Ramos heading a corner more than, for Spain.
Fleetfooted Robben ruled his left flank, and the Spain defence was tested sorely. On these kinds of a burst from the Bayern Munich star, Puyol resorted to a tough tackle, and with Robben staying on his feet, Webb chose to dismiss the infringement. Robben’s shot at aim was denied by a brilliant Casillas preserve.
Spain became progressively dominant, with Xavi stamping his impact on a match that appeared headed for added time.
Fabregas came in for Alonso in the 87th minute, and had an immediate shot at aim off an Iniesta pass, but Stekelenburg created excellent use of his legs to deny Spain.
Fabregas repayed Iniesta with a via pass, quickly soon after, but Iniesta spent too considerably time on the ball, at eighteen yards, making it possible for van der Weil to dispossess him.
With 10 minutes to go in the second fifty percent of further time, Heitinga earned his second caution, and was sent off following he tackled Iniesta on the edge of the box.
Joris Mathijsen late header could have acquired Holland via, versus the run of play. But moments later on, Iniesta had his last say…
About the Writer
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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.