World Cup Final: Spain vs Netherlands

By Michael Vass | July 12, 2010

I love it when a prediction comes true. For those that read my half-time comments, you will note that I got the score, the number of players, and the order in which it would all happen correct. The only thing I failed to predict was that it would happen in overtime.

The thing that really struck me about the match though was the fact that Spain came to life in overtime. Given that Spain already had possession most of the match, and was taking more shots on goal than Netherlands. But the real chances to score did not happen until overtime. For both teams in fact.

Of course #6 Andrés Iniesta was all over the pitch throughout the match. He was a vital player for Spain in every match, so there was no surprise when it all culminated in his winning goal in overtime. The man was due his moment in the sun.

Still there was no question in anyone’s mind that either team would lose a player. With the number and pace of the Yellow cards in each half there had to be a RED card. The fact that #8 Nigel de Jong of Netherlands didn’t get ejected for his karate kick was astounding luck for Netherlands. Had he been ejected in the 27th minute, there is no question that the score would have ended 2 – 0 for Spain. But alas that was about the only foul the referee didn’t see worth of carding harshly.

Yet the referee was about the best of all the World Cup matches. The offsides calls were on the whole accurate. There were no goals taken away or mystery calls that could not be deciphered. The Yellows were consistent for both teams. It essentially was a referee doing his best to not be a factor in the match and yet maintain control.

One of the odd things had to be the decision to remove Spain’s star of the World Cup, #7 David Villa and replace him with the injured and poorly performing #9 Fernando Torres. Why in the world did coach Vicente del Bosque consider removing the top scoring Forward for a player that was under the weather and had yet to prove he was worth being on the team? The fact that Torres wound up injuring himself and bringing Spain down to 10 men was sad and inevitiable.

Considering all things, the Spain that played in the overtime was the only performance of the team that truely looked like it deserved to be in the World Cup and capable of beating anyone. The Netherlands confirmed that as the game wore on, they were outclassed and very lucky to have made it as far as they had. Neither discipline nor strategy were up to par in the final.

I still believe that had either Spain or Netherlands played Argentina they would have lost. I commend Spain on the win, but still think an inferior team took the World Cup in South Africa.

It’s been quite a month. So many upsets, so many silly red cards. There is no question that instant replay will be coming to FIFA soccer soon. The mystery calls and the policy to not comment on what the hell some of the referees were thinking has to end.

But for 4 years Spain can stand tall and claim they are the best, in Europe and the World. It’s a great feeling no doubt. Though I don’t think that they will be saying the same thing in 2014.

Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)