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A final so far removed from the Beautiful Game, so far out of keeping
with such a largely upbeat tournament, was settled four minutes from the
end of extra time by Andres Iniesta, so crowning Spain champions of the
world for the first time. They had waited so long what was an extra
half-hour?
The preceding 116 minutes had been atrocious,
ill-tempered, as bad as the Italia 90 denouement and littered with
bookings, with Howard Webb effortlessly eclipsing Romuald Arppi Filho’s
record of six in the 1986 final. Holland were the worst offenders.
Never
mind the quality, feel the justice. Spain are worthy champions.
A
team so gloriously committed to playing the game the right way gain the
ultimate reward. Spain pass and move, always accentuating the positive,
always looking to stretch the boundaries of the game, always
maintaining momentum. Even when struggling to storm the well-organised
Dutch barricades, they kept going.
In overcoming the obdurate
Dutch, Spain earned their right to sporting immortality. In claiming the
2010 World Cup, Spain will also have made a wonderful case for hosting
the 2018 competition. Their presentation will be simple: Spain is the
home of the world and European champions, of the planet’s premier league
and the place of Xavi, Iniesta and David Villa. And wise owls of the
dig-out like Vicente del Bosque, a man determined to make history.
History
had been all around last night. An hour before kick-off, following a
spectacular closing ceremony featuring the eclectic but electric
combination of Shakira, three fighter planes and 13 automated elephants,
Nelson Mandela was driven on to the pitch in a buggy.
Resplendent
in a Cossack hat, the great statesmen smiled and waved as Soccer City
stood in emotional salute, chanting his name. Twenty years ago, Mandela,
newly released from prison, had marched into the same arena, the then
FNB Stadium, and declared “we are going forward’’. His beloved country
has certainly taken another stride into the international limelight this
past memorable month.
Mandela’s people were out in force for
this, sporting the kits and face-paints of Holland and Spain.
Inevitably, the Spanish had been first to show in an opening half that
sadly lost its way, looking to release David Villa through the middle or
unleash overlapping full-backs, particularly Sergio Ramos down the
right.
The Real Madrid defender was soon fouled by Giovanni van
Bronckhorst, gifting Spain a free-kick. Xavi, the little conductor of
the grand orchestra, lifted in a ball met firmly by Ramos, whose
downward header was athletically parried away by Maarten Stekelenburg.
It was to prove one of the few highlights of a first half scarred by bad
challenges, including one potential rib-breaker from Nigel de Jong.
Facing
a physical and technical challenge, the Spanish still sought to
maintain their usual percussive rhythm, taking their possession game to
Holland, who were slow neither in the robust tackle nor in coming
forward.
When Sergio Busquets dawdled, Dirk Kuyt nipped in,
nicking the ball but his shot was too weak to alarm a keeper of the
class of Iker Casillas. Back Spain came, Villa and Andrés Iniesta
linking neatly around the box to send Ramos down the inside-right
channel. Easily eluding Kuyt, Ramos drove the ball into the six-yard box
where Johnny Heitinga cleared. From the ensuing corner, Xabi Alonso
crossed to the far post where Villa met the ball on the volley but could
find only the side-netting. Close but no cigarillo.
Those
expecting a masterclass of attacking football form both sides were being
disappointed. For the rest of the half, it was essentially end-to-end
fouls. Webb’s pen was in danger of running out of ink. English ref,
physical game? It was sad to see even technical players stooping so low.
Robin van Persie had already poleaxed Busquets and now set about Joan
Capdevila, catching the Villarreal defender with a nasty challenge.
Only
Webb’s prompt action prevented it spilling over. Carles Puyol arrowed
in on Arjen Robben’s ankle and followed Van Persie into the Rotherham
referee’s book. Then Mark van Bommel, never shy in examining opponents’
shin-pads and mettle, clattered Iniesta from behind. Capdevilla, Xavi
and Puyol immediately formed a debating society and petitioned Webb to
ensure justice was done. It was. Van Bommel was cautioned.
Spain
were no angels. Ramos sent Kuyt crashing to earth and became the fourth
name taken by Webb. The fifth was the worst offence, De Jong burrowing
his boot into the chest of Alonso. Webb scribbled away, and brandished
yellow but it should have been red. If Alonso wants acupuncture, there
are better places to get it than De Jong’s boot.
Football briefly
reared its beautiful head when Pedro, preferred to Torres, shimmied
forward, causing real concern in the orange ranks, but he placed his
left-footed shot wide. Xavi started to get more on the ball, at one
point turning to run at goal only to be baulked by Van Bommel. |
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| Tribute: Andres Iniesta celebrates the winning goal by revealing a shirt paying tribute to Dani Jarque, a Spanish
defender who died from a heart attack last year. "Dani Jarque is always
with us" Photo: GETTY IMAGES |
By fair means and foul play, Holland
blocked Spain’s route to goal. Still the offences continued, Kuyt almost
ripping Gerard Pique’s shirt off at a Spanish corner. Wesley Sneijder,
hitherto anonymous, decided to stamp himself on Busquets, rather than
the game, planting his studs in the midfielder’s thigh.
As the
half closed, the game suddenly opened up. Robben, cutting in on to his
favourite left foot, brought a scrambling save from Casillas. Things
could only get better, prayed the fans inside Soccer City, echoing
sentiments of an estimated 700 million viewers worldwide.
Spain
enjoyed a wonderful chance as the second period got underway, Puyol
flicking the ball on to the unmarked Cadevilla, but he miscued badly.
Holland
stirred, Robben again manoeuvring the ball on to his left foot and
letting fly, again bringing a low save from Casillas. Unlike Robben,
Sneijder was disappointing, soon giving the ball away.
Still the
challenges flew in, Van Bronckhorst ensuring Ramos did not get past him.
Still the crime count continued to rise, Webb registering another
caution. Webb must have felt as if he were back on the beat in
Sheffield. And another…Heitinga brought to book for following through on
Villa.
Spain were then rescued by Casillas. Pique had only just
returned after some treatment, following an accidental elbow from Kuyt,
and the Barcelona centre-half reacted too sluggishly when Sneijder slid a
ball through. Robben was through on goal, using his left foot to place
the ball around Casillas but the keeper still managed to stretch out a
leg and divert the ball to safety. Just.
Holland had thrown an
orange blanket across midfield and Spain needed to look wide. When Jesus
Navas, having replaced Pedro, swept in a cross, Villa was found badly
wanting. Spain’s No 7 then lofted a free-kick aimlessly over. Still
Spain attempted to find a way through. Navas was making a difference,
stretching Holland.
Still chances fell Spain’s way. When Xavi
hoisted in a corner the unmarked Ramos headed wastefully over. Iniesta
almost found a path to goal but was brilliantly dispossessed by
Sneijder.
Holland were looking to soak up the pressure and hit on
the break. When Van Persie flicked Stekelenburg’s long kick on, Robben
was off and running, breaking through the middle, accelerating ahead of
Puyol, who wrapped an arm around the flying Dutchman. Robben managed to
escape but could not escape Casillas, who dived at his feet and again
saved Spain.
Extra-time was a slow lingering death. Opportunities
came and were wasted. Spain screamed for a penalty when Heitinga caught
Xavi. Then Stekelenburg saved from Cesc Fabregas. Nobody seemed
prepared to score.
Matijsen headed over. Jesus Navas’ shot
deflected just wide off Navas. Some Olés, almost of relief, swirled
around the ground when Iniesta nutmegged Robben. Then Fabregas glided
through before poking his shot wide. Torres’ arrival for the second
period of extra time was greeted with almost messianic fervour.
Heitinga,
already cautioned, then pulled back Iniesta and walked, although Xavi
was unable to make the free-kick count. Holland could have lost Robben
for kicking the ball away but Webb showed leniency.
And then
nirvana.
After all the dross, Iniesta pounced following good
work by Torres and Fabregas.
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