Match 64 - Final
With Netherlands facing Spain in the finals of the World Cup at Soccer Stadium in Johannesberg. sports fans around the globe were expecting fireworks from the European football powerhouses.
But in the true spirit of this South African World Cup, which saw Brazil, Italy and France all make early exits, the game didn't pan out as predicted.
Rather than press Spain, the Netherlands waited for opportunities to counterattack. On defense the Dutch played conservatively also, cutting down the skillful Spanish midfielders with reckless slide tackles.
An early challenge by Mark van Bommel should have been awarded a yellow card, and a high kick by Nigel de Jong would have resulted in a red card, based on calls made in previous matches of this World Cup.
But in fairness, center referee Howard Webb, an Englishman, did his best to keep a sloppy game as clean as possible, doling out eight yellow cards to Holland and five to Spain in the process.
Both teams had their chances, however. In the 4th minute a header by Spanish fullback Sergio Ramos was stopped by a diving save from Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, while Spanish goalie Iker Casillas turned away a pair of Robben break-aways.
It wasn't until the 118th minute that the Spanish finally broke through, preventing yet another World Cup from being decided by penalty kicks.
Ultimately, it was a pair of Spanish substitutes who tilted the balance. After Fernando Torres' cross was intercepted by the Dutch defense, substitute Fabresc Fabregas stole the ball back and delivered it to starter Andres Iniesta, who slotted the ball into the net, earning Spain its first ever World Cup trophy.
And while it certainly wasn't a pretty end, it was a deserving one as Spain dominated the match, claiming 60 percent of the possession and hammering the Netherlands with 20 shots on goal.
Final Score: Netherlands 0 - Spain 1
