[starttext]
By Matt Lawton
Golden goal: Andres Iniesta (right) beats the despairing dive of Rafael van der Vaart and keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to seal a maiden World Cup win for European champions SpainNo wonder Johan Cruyff decided to support Spain. With an approach that was more typically Teutonic than the ‘total football’ that is supposed to be their trademark, Holland kicked their way to extra time in this hugely disappointing World Cup final.
Thank goodness Andres Iniesta saw that justice was done with a neat finish three minutes from the end to give Spain their first — and well deserved — World Cup.
The disgraced Dutch will have to wait longer after this, their third defeat in a final. Anything else would have been a travesty, Holland earning eight bookings and a red card for John Heitinga.
It was so depressing, Bert van Marwijk ordering his players to stifle the classy Spaniards in a manner that betrayed their proud heritage.
Had Howard Webb been stronger in punishing their cynical fouling, Holland could have ended the first half with only nine men. Nigel de Jong deserved a straight red for a karate kick on Xabi Alonso, while his partner in the dark arts of defensive midfield play, Mark van Bommel, committed enough fouls to get two yellow cards.
'Dani Jarque is always with us': Iniesta paid tribute to the deceased Espanyol and Spain player after scoringAs it was, this comfortably beat the record for the most bookings in a World Cup final. In 1986 we saw six. Here we had nine in normal time and there should have been more.
Having followed Jack Taylor to become the second Englishman to referee a World Cup final, Webb should have had his predecessor’s nerve to dismiss two players as well.
By the time he sent off Heitinga after 109 minutes, it was far too late to have the necessary effect.
Shame game: Nigel de Jong lands a boot in the chest of Spain's Xabi Alonso... yet saw only yellowInstead, the game turned into a midfield war of attrition. With Holland’s spoiling tactics limiting the impact of players like Xavi and Iniesta, decent chances were scarce.
Sergio Ramos could have scored twice and David Villa really should have struck midway through the second half, but Arjen Robben will feel he squandered the best opportunity when he went through on goal only to see Iker Casillas make a magnificent save.
Robben had further cause for complaint when Carles Puyol denied him a second opportunity in the 83rd minute, pulling him back but somehow going unpunished. In the end Robben was booked for dissent.
Flying Dutchman: Holland keeper Maarten Stekelenburg makes a smart save to deny an early header from Spain defender Sergio RamosWhat a shame the game could not match the drama and excitement that came before it — the inspiring sight of Nelson Mandela appearing on the pitch shortly after a terrific closing ceremony and then, moments before the teams were led on to the field, a foolish individual making a dash across the pitch for the World Cup.
He almost got there until a security official stopped him in his tracks with what looked like one hell of a punch.
The Dutch found it particularly funny but their mood soon changed, Spain starting much as they did against Germany by completely dominating.
Total violence: Spain players surround referee Webb as he cautions Mark van Bommel, one of five first half bookings between the sidesHad it not been for a quite brilliant save from Maarten Stekelenburg Spain would have been ahead after only four minutes.
Sergio Ramos met a free-kick from Xavi with a thumping header and the Dutch goalkeeper excelled in palming the ball away to safety. Holland showed promise briefly when a mistake by Sergio Busquets presented Dirk Kuyt with a chance to strike, though his effort proved easy for Iker Casillas to gather. But the Spanish were so in control, with Sergio Ramos and Villa both threatening.
Up and over: Spain captain Iker Casillas collects the ball in an unorthodox manner to upend his own defender Carles Puyol as Van Persie looks onIt was not long before the Dutch, in their growing desperation, were testing Webb’s patience. Van Bommel caught Puyol with a cynical
challenge and Robin van Persie collected the first booking of the evening when he caught Joan Capdevila.
That said, Puyol then received a yellow card for a similarly nasty tackle on Robben.
Casillas did well to hold the free-kick that followed from Wesley Sneijder
Forward march: Spain's Gerard Pique drives ahead from defence as Dirk Kuyt looks onSoon after that came bookings for Van Bommel’s foul on Iniesta and a foul by Sergio Ramos on Kuyt. In Robben and Sneijder, the Dutch were posing an attacking threat, with one surging run down the right flank from Robben causing some serious anxiety among Spain’s defensive ranks.
But discipline remained a problem for Webb. He showed De Jong the fifth yellow of the night but the kick in the chest wasn’t a challenge. It was assault.
It nevertheless remained significant, because now the two players given the task of protecting the back four from these brilliant Spaniards were — De Jong and Van Bommel — were on a booking
Last ditch: Everton defender John Heitinga makes a superb recovery block to deny David Villa just yards away from breaking the deadlock for Spain in the second halfHolland’s tactics damaged the game as a spectacle but gave them a bit of momentum. When Robben unleashed a shot shortly before the break, it took a decent save from Casillas to deny him.
After the interval the Dutch continued to live dangerously, with Van Bommel fortunate not to concede a penalty for a shove in the back of Alonso. Tempers were starting to flare, not least when Van Bommel rather unsportingly chose to kick long for a throw-in deep in Spain’s half when he was supposed to knock in back towards Casillas following an injury.
One on one: A world class save from the foot of Casillas stuns Arjen Robben, after the former Chelsea star broke clear through on goal
But after little more than an hour the best chance of the game fell to the Dutch. A super ball from Sneijder sent Robben clear but Casillas diverted his shot wide with his outstretched right foot. It amounted to the save of the tournament.
Spain would then suffer similar frustration, with Villa failing to seize on a mistake by Heitinga when he should have scored. He was no more than four yards out, but drove his shot into Heitinga’s legs.
So close: Unmarked Sergio Ramos sees his free header sail agonisingly over the crossbarSergio Ramos then met a corner from Xavi with a header he should have buried, while Robben felt most aggrieved when Puyol, already on a booking, dragged him back.
Spain had the better of the first period of extra time, Cesc Fabregas seeing their best chance coming back off Stekelenburg’s legs.
Everton defender Heitinga saw his second yellow when he pulled back Iniesta, who then took a pass from Fabregas and tucked the winner home right-footed.
source: dailymail
[endtext]
