Skysports.com selects the high and the lows from Sunday's World Cup final at Soccer City.
Skysports.com selects the high and lows from Sunday's World Cup final at Soccer City, where Spain defeated 10-man Holland 1-0 after extra-time.
Skysports.com selects the high and lows from Sunday's World Cup final at Soccer City, where Spain defeated 10-man Holland 1-0 after extra-time.
Save of the Game:
For all of Spain's disrupted possession in the tournament's climax, the Dutch always looked dangerous on the break - none more so than when Wesley Sneijder's superb 62nd-minute throughball sent Arjen Robben scampering towards the Spanish goal with defenders trailing in his wake.
The Bayern Munich winger had been denied by a fine diving save by Iker Casillas on the stroke of half-time, and he seemed set for revenge as he picked his spot after seeing the Real Madrid custodian move slightly to his left. Robben responded by clipping a sidefooted shot towards the opposite corner but Casillas stuck out a right boot and diverted the ball inches wide of the upright. That the keeper ended the night lifting the World Cup trophy into the Johannesburg air simply added to the importance of the save.
Block of the Game:
Everton's John Heitinga had a funny old night in the Dutch backline. He was pretty shaky throughout the game, and his blunder as he missed Jesus Navas' fierce cross opened the door for the dangerous David Villa, whose eyes lit up just six yards from goal. Heitinga recovered brilliantly, though, and lunged to divert Villa's goalbound corner away for a corner. He ended up seeing red and on the losing side - but his brave block extended the drama into extra-time.
Crunching Tackle of the Game:
Former policeman Howard Webb has probably dealt with some GBH cases in his time and how he didn't send Mark van Bommel off on Sunday night I'll never know. The Bayern Munich hardman was Holland's 'Beast' to Andres Iniesta's 'Beauty', none more so than when he crunched into the back of the Barcelona playmaker, who ultimately had the last laugh by ensuring van Bommel's relentless thuggery was not rewarded.
Karate Kick of the Game:
Now I know the remake of Karate Kid has been a hit in the USA, but has no-one told Nigel de Jong they're no longer casting for the film, with Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son bagging the leads. It was as if he was rehearsing for a big scene when he decided to ram his studs high into the chest of Xabi Alonso, seemingly right under the nose of Webb. Alonso stayed down for a minute or two but hats off to him for not 'doing a Zidane' and sticking the nut on the Manchester City mauler.
Wasted Chance of the Game:
When Xavi delivered yet another pinpoint corner in the Dutch box and Sergio Ramos moved towards it with complete freedom, we all expected a repeat of Carlos Puyol's thumping headed winner against Germany in the semi-final. But the Real Madrid full-back missed his moment for immortality by steering his effort inches over the crossbar. Thankfully it didn't come back to haunt the Spaniards.
Magic Moment of the Tournament - let alone Game:
Holland's destructive, snarling approach to the World Cup final, which led to Webb showing a staggering 14 yellow cards and one red, ensured every non-Dutch fan around the world was praying for a Spain winner. The ripple affect of such a tactic leading to world domination could have been disastrous for the beautiful game. As it was, when Cesc Fabregas fed the ball to Iniesta in the 116th minute the entire world were willing him to thump home a winning goal - and he duly obliged, sparking scenes of wild celebration not just in Spain, but around the globe (OK, not the Netherlands). At the end of the day, flowing football had been the winner - and the 2010 World Cup crowned its rightful champions.
