Spain Are World Champions!

Game 64: Netherlands 0-1 Spain

The final was expected to be close and it was. It took Spain 116 minutes to unlock the Dutch defence which was very organized from the start. Although Spain dominated possession as usual, they didn't have much to show for it and it was the Netherlands who had the best chances in the 90 regulation minutes. Arjen Robben would probably regret the glorious chance he missed in the second half of normal time now. Xavi and Andres Iniesta once again played well together and perhaps edged the battle against Robben and Wesley Sneijder who didn't have the best of games. The introduction of Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas injected pace into the Spanish attacks and it paid off in the end as both substitutes did well when coming on. Robin van Persie had the worst game of his World Cup and was hardly noticeable during the final and it's a real disappointment for a player of his calibre. The Dutch played true to their tactics but perhaps a little too brutally. Too many bad tackles and they were made to pay for their indiscipline when John Heitinga was rightly sent off for a second bookable offence. Referee Howard Webb had a bad game in my opinion as he was not in control and often looked pressured by the players. All in all, though, Spain did edge the match and perhaps deserved the win in the end. Netherlands have every right to feel aggrieved but they put up a very good fight and with a little more luck at the right time, the outcome would have been different. Man of the Match: Iker Casillas (it had to be him for me as he came up with good saves at the right moments of the match)