It wasn’t the best match of this World Cup or one of the greatest finals ever, but it was a fiery one, with two fantastic goalkeepers and one fantastic Andres Iniesta, who rose up to the occassion in the two most crucial games, scoring home the winner for Spain in the 116th minute, handing them their first ever World Cup trophy and complete a two year double along with their Euro trophy from 2008. Here are the best moments from last night –
Shades of WWE
Howard Webb pulled out 14 yellow cards, the most ever in a World Cup Final. One was issued here to Nigel De Jong after drop kicking Xabi Alonso. This should have been a red.
Not Their Night
Arjen Robben had two fantastic one on one chances with Casillas. The Spanish keeper came out on top twice. Robin Van Persie? He’d like to forget 2009-2010 and especially this World Cup, despite reaching the final. One goal in seven matches was way below expectations.
I Believe I can Fly
Iker Casillas had a fantastic match, and a great tournament, conceding only two goals in seven matches, shades of Italy in 2006. Puyol didn’t have the best of games last night, but that doesn’t change the fact he has a huge part in this historic Spanish side.
A Hero’s Touch
Andres Iniesta isn’t a prolific goal scorers, but he’s done it for Barcelona against Chelsea in the Champions League, and now for Spain on the biggest stage of all, the World Cup Final. Van der Vaart can only look.
Never Forget
Andres Iniesta celebrated his goal by pulling off his shirt and revealing the writing – Dani Jarque Siempre con nosotros, Meaning – Dani Jarque, always with us. Dani Jarque played for Espanyol and was a close friend of Iniesta. He died last year after suffering a heart attack at the age of 26.
It’s never too late to Argue
Joris Mathijsen, down 1-0 in the final minutes of extra time, had time to argue with Howard Webb about something. He got a card. Webb isn’t the most popular figure in Holland after yesterday, when he did seem to slightly favor the Spanish side on the 50-50 calls.
Never Let Go
When you win, a big one, and there’s nothing bigger than last night, you want to hold one to every moment and everything, forever.
For the First Time, World Champions
There are Losers, Too
Wesley Sneijder had a fantastic World Cup and almost completed a perfect year after winning the treble with Inter. Almost. To be so close to perfection and World Cup glory is nothing less than heartbreaking.
10 responses to “Top 9 Photos From the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final”
Top 9 Photos From the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final…
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I rooted for Spain the entire World Cup but they were a bunch of whiners and crybabies in this game, pretending to be hurt whenever they felt the slightest touch. i have no respect for them anymore. Iniesta flew through the air and was never touched but acted like he was mortally wounded and the ref bought it, shame on refs like this, he was terrible, bought every whine and cry from the Spaniards, they looked like a bunch of Italians. Football is in a bad state. Spain didn’t win this, they were handed it.
Spain were great throughout the tournament. They play best against teams that prefer clean and beautiful football, yet there aren’t many teams that come close to their level. Holland unfortunately did not shine in this world cup, this was not the beautiful game they played in 2008 or historically. Holland committed more fouls in the final than Spain have in the entire world cup (the Spanish got a total of 8 yellows in all games, Holland got 9 in the final). It’s a shame that Holland could not play a clean game, sometimes resorting to kung fu kicks.
It was a very dirty game but I believe it was so because of the FIFA’s attitude toward technology. If they’d agree to the use of technology in their games, the teams wouldn’t be so upset, and would probably play fairer. Like Germany vs Spain.
And while in this subject, Germany was celebrating their 3rd place… and Holland was sulking over their 2nd place…
How can it be? They lost to Spain! Yes, but even so… they won 2nd place!
While I agree , as a Dutch person , that Spain was, no doubt, the better team, I also believe that that ref just went slaphappy with the yellow cards for offenses that were in general minor. He was, in my opinion, “upstaging” and hindering the game more then helping it. The quantity of cards was absurd. Soccer has been played a lot rougher then that.
All and all, I feel that the Spanish team rightfully won, they are a very good team, and I am glad for them, but it could have been a much better and more interesting game if it would not have gotten stopped every 5 seconds.
It was beginning to remind me of an American Football game in that. Also, referee behavior like that will leave a sour taste.
I want to remind you that in the previous game a Dutch player got kicked in the face by a player of Uruguay, and no red cards were issued. I feel that on both occasions a red card should have been issued . (see, I am not excluding the Dutch player).
In addition I feel that our popular Sneyder risked a red card when he pushed an Uruguay soccer player. Unsportsmanlike behavior always leaves a worse taste then an accidental kick.
In general, I feel that there is I was too much “diving” from both sides. this by itself will cause unjustified penalties. In general, this type of behavior should be addressed, as it is really beginning to permeate European soccer, there is no good word fto adequately describe this behavior except for “lame”.
Congratulations, Spain, you deserved it. And Holland, Spain played better; it was an annoying game, referee wise, but Spain was better regardless. And yes, I feel the ref was partial. But that did not make or break the game.
“Germany was celebrating their 3rd place… and Holland was sulking over their 2nd place…
How can it be? They lost to Spain! Yes, but even so… they won 2nd place!”
Dude, it’s a shame you weren’t in Amsterdam today. Close to a million people celebrated second place with the players. To us, they are heroes!!!
And as for Germany, they left their fans standing at the airport. Where’s the celebration in that?
Anyhow, Spain had a deserved win considering the entire tournament. Oranje did not play their normal style of football, but it was darn effective. Now they need to learn to combine both styles and you just wait… in two years we’ll stun the world. In a more than good way…
shame on refs like this, he was terrible,
Do you think the dutch were the only one playing dirty? Did anyone really pay attention to what Spaniards did in the entire world cup? Even Germany pointed out so why do you think Germany titulars didn’t play for the third place? because of the flu? No, Spain dive and simulate fouls the entire championship and the only time the referee did noticed they lost the match. After that it seems FIFA told the referees, including Webb to go easy on Spaniards. 2 offside goals that conceded them to go through qualifying and dive or foul simulations that were along unpunished gave Spain the title. When I saw Iniesta diving like he was in a pool with the last foul I couldnt believe the referee bought that and red carded Heitinga. Yes, the game was dirty but on both side and Spain didn’t deserve the FAIR PLAY award. The only team that deserved that title in the last 2 cups is Germany. FIFA is a joke and Blatter promises to discuss about technology were words to the wind since they, again, delayed talk about technology in July meeting
well done the dutch next teams will recognise you as the favourites, you realy are the best Brasil are hard to beat but you made it look very simple. as for the referees a lot has
to be done, they realy pull the name of the beatifull game on the mud.