Futbol Fiesta

Spain defeated the Netherlands to win the 2010 World Cup on Sunday for the first time in its nation’s history. The title was claimed after a 1-0 victory in the 116th minute of the championship game in Johannesburg. Andres Iniesta footed the contest’s only goal four minutes from penalty kicks to lift the Spaniards over the Dutch. Sunday’s match featured a record 14 yellow cards, nine handed to the Netherlands. The Dutch accumulated nine bookings in 120 minutes, and despite their speed and goal-scoring ability couldn’t neutralize Spain’s talent. Referee Howard Webb issued five yellow cards in the opening 28 minutes of match. It was an ugly game from the Netherlands, even as they generated a few kicks on open breakaways.
The Dutch were not without scoring chances in regulation. Twice the Netherlands had an opportunity to win the match on second half breakaways. Iker Casillas denied the Dutch both times, swallowing up the shots from the Dutch attackers. Sergio Ramos was brilliant for a Spanish team that dominated time of possession. Ramos planted a header a few feet from the back right of the bar after Maartin Stekelenburg saved his header from within the penalty area moments earlier. The Spanish team could not finish their wide open chances and the game was pushed into overtime. Both Bert van Marwijk and Vincente del Bosque used their final substitutions with the game still at a draw in the extra session.
Spain continued to show energy and magnificence with the ball as the Netherlands simply looked exhausted. The Dutch were playing a man down after Holland’s John Heitinga picked up his second yellow card for grabbing Iniesta from behind. Spain took control from there, and nine minutes later tallied the game’s only goal. Cesc Fabregas passed to the right of the goal, where teammate Iniesta was waiting to sink his half-volley from ten feet out beyond the reach of Stekelenburg. The Dutch goalie got one hand on the ball but it wasn’t enough to prevent Spain from prevailing in South Africa.

Parting Points: Thought of the day- Life gets better.