On the evening of July 11, 2010, football fans around the world watched a thrilling and intense match in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was the final of the FIFA World Cup, where Spain faced the Netherlands. After a hard-fought battle, Spain emerged as the champions, winning 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Andrés Iniesta in the 116th minute of extra time. This victory marked Spain’s first-ever World Cup title.
The Build-Up to the Big Match
As the final approached, excitement was in the air. News channels were filled with reports and interviews about the match, featuring players, fans, and experts. Many people predicted that Spain had a slight edge due to their strong and skillful team, which had won the European Championship just two years earlier. The Netherlands, however, also had a lot of supporters who believed they could win.
Even animals got involved in the predictions. Around the world, various animals “predicted” the outcome of the match. A famous German octopus, an Australian crocodile, an Estonian monkey, and a Malaysian parrot all predicted a Spanish victory.
Pre-Match Preparations
Before the match, both teams’ players spoke to the media, often repeating similar ideas: each team wanted to control the ball and force their opponents to defend. The Dutch players, including coach Bert van Marwijk and striker Robin van Persie, openly admitted that Spain was the favorite.
One of the most interesting pre-match comments came from Dutch forward Arjen Robben. He said that people were too focused on Spain’s top scorer, David Villa, who had scored five goals in the tournament. Robben believed that the real danger came from Spain’s midfielders, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, who were key to their attacking play.
Both teams were nearly at full strength. The Netherlands had some injury concerns after their semifinal match against Uruguay, with goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and midfielder Wesley Sneijder both picking up knocks. However, by July 10, both players were declared fit to play. Additionally, defender Gregory van der Wiel and midfielder Nigel de Jong were available again after serving suspensions.
For Spain, coach Vicente del Bosque faced a decision about whether to start striker Fernando Torres. Torres had played in the starting lineup for Spain’s first five matches of the tournament but had yet to score a goal. In the semifinal against Germany, Del Bosque had replaced Torres with Pedro Rodríguez, who performed well. In the end, Del Bosque decided to keep Pedro in the lineup for the final, leaving Torres on the bench.
The Tense Final Battle
Spain started the match confidently and almost scored early on. Sergio Ramos, after receiving a free kick, headed the ball powerfully towards the goal, but Stekelenburg made a great save. Ramos later dribbled past a Dutch defender and sent a dangerous pass across the goal, but it was blocked by John Heitinga.
By the 15th minute, the Netherlands began to find their rhythm, and the match became more balanced. Both teams played aggressively, and there were some tough tackles, especially from De Jong, who kicked Xabi Alonso in the chest. English referee Howard Webb showed De Jong a yellow card, and by halftime, he had given out five yellow cards in total.
The Netherlands finished the first half strongly, with Robben forcing a difficult save from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Early in the second half, Spain missed another chance to score when Carles Puyol headed the ball to Joan Capdevila from a corner, but Capdevila couldn’t make a clean strike.
The Decisive Moment
As the match went on, both teams had opportunities to break the deadlock. Robben had the best chance for the Netherlands, but his one-on-one effort was stopped by Casillas. For Spain, Villa came close to scoring, but his shot was blocked by a Dutch defender. Ramos and Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen both had headers that narrowly missed the target.
The first half of extra time was intense, with substitute Cesc Fàbregas nearly scoring for Spain after being set up by Iniesta, but Stekelenburg made another crucial save. There was also a controversial moment when Xavi was fouled in the Dutch penalty area, but Webb decided not to award a penalty.
One of the key moments of the match came in the 110th minute when Heitinga pulled back Iniesta to prevent him from advancing towards the goal. Webb showed Heitinga a second yellow card, resulting in his sending off. This left the Netherlands with ten men for the remainder of the match.
The match’s defining moment came in the 116th minute. Fàbregas found Iniesta in the penalty area, and Iniesta fired a powerful shot into the far corner of the net, scoring the only goal of the match.
Spain’s Triumph and the Netherlands’ Heartbreak
With little time left, the Netherlands tried to launch a few attacks, but they couldn’t break through Spain’s defense. Webb’s final whistle confirmed Spain’s victory, making them World Cup champions for the first time in history. Before them, only seven countries had won the World Cup: Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina, and France.
For the Netherlands, it was their third loss in a World Cup final, having previously been runners-up in 1974 and 1978. The Dutch players received their silver medals and showed great sportsmanship by applauding the Spanish team as they received their gold medals and the World Cup trophy. The Spanish players celebrated like children, fully deserving their historic victory.
Van der Vaart’s Reflection on the Loss
Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart later reflected on the loss, sharing how the disappointment faded after some celebratory drinking. He revealed that after the match, Spanish defender Sergio Ramos visited the Dutch dressing room to express his sympathy. Despite the loss, the Dutch team managed to have a good time together, drinking and even continuing the party on the flight back home.
Van der Vaart humorously noted that it’s strange to have a parade after finishing second, but it allowed the Dutch players to see how much their efforts meant to the people of the Netherlands.
A Legacy for the Ages
The 2010 World Cup final will be remembered as one of the most intense and dramatic in the tournament’s history. Spain’s victory marked the beginning of a golden era for the national team, as they went on to win the 2012 European Championship, solidifying their place as one of football’s greatest teams.
For the Netherlands, the final was another painful chapter in their World Cup story, but it also demonstrated their resilience and the enduring quality of Dutch football. Four years later, they would exact a measure of revenge by defeating Spain 5-1 in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, though the memories of the 2010 final would never fade.
In the end, the 2010 World Cup final was not just a football match; it was a moment of pure sporting drama, showcasing the beauty, tension, and emotion that make football the world’s most beloved game.
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