Spain rules the world of football. It took them well into extra time to crack the Dutch defence, in what was a true battle of attrition, but Andres Iniestas' powerful drive gave Spain the World Cup glory for the first time and condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final.Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium (as well as certain parts of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia) were draped in Oranje on the night of July 11, as the hordes of Dutch fans made this South Africa final look very much like a home match in Amsterdam. But it was the vastly outnumbered Spanish supporters who would be singing the loudest in the end.
The triumph came after an exhausting 1-0 victory in extra time on the final showdown of this glorious World Cup event in South Africa. With that, Spain have stamped their authority over the world of football, as only two years after they were crowned European Champions, they are now champions of the world as well.
The match itself was a physical test of attrition that on several occasions turned dirty — a total of 14 yellow cards were handed out while the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the end, it was Andrés Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, taking a pass from Cesc Fàbregas and putting a right-footed shot from eight yards just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg
Iniesta drilled his right-foot strike across goal - but the Dutch were incensed after referee Howard Webb had failed to award their side a corner moments earlier when a free-kick took a sizeable deflection off Fabregas.
However, Euro 2008 champions Spain, who conceded only two goals during the tournament, deserved their victory after gradually taking a grip on a tense and violent contest.
The Dutch, who lost in the 1974 and 1978 finals, were bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to go through World Cup qualifying and the finals unbeaten.
Spain, who are ranked second in the world, and were also proclaimed as favourite to lift the World Cup before it all started, began proceedings in the worst possible way, losing to Switzerland in the opening match. But Spain won every game after that, including a 1-0 victory over powerful Germany that was far more one-sided than the score indicated. The Iberians are now the only country in the history of the World Cup to win the tournament after losing its opener.
For the rest of us, those who were on the neutral side last night and were simply enjoying the show, we can breathe a sigh of relief
World Cup football madness is over. Some of us woke up this morning aware that we will not be hearing the monotone sound of the vuvuzela anymore, nor would be seeing that adorable sea creature Paul on television every other day. Its only just finished, and I for one, already miss the World Cup.
Thank you South Africa.
