Spain World soccer champions

Spain World soccer champions
2010-07-12 07:39:28 - Nksagar - Sagar Media -Monday -12 July 2010 - :
Spain win, the World Cup creates history two years after winning the European title Euro champions now reign FIFA 2010 World Cup champions in a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in extra time. Andres Iniesta super strike by tireless midfielder scored lone goal at four minutes before end of extra time at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Sunday.

World Cup Soccer finals-record 13 yellow cards and one red were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men.Netherlands legions of orange-clad fans spread across the stadium wearing all orange crowd created colorful view but their first World Cup journey ended title tantalizingly as they failed in the final for the third time.Spain have lifted their maiden World Cup
Football title. In a drama-filled summit clash at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday night, they beat the Netherlands One-Nil.

With penalties looming for the second successive final Iniesta fired home the winner when he was put through in the area by Cesc Fabregas. Keeper Maarten Stekelenburg dived to his right and got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.
The defeat was heartbreaking for the Dutch, who were down to 10 men after John Heitinga was sent off in extra time. It was their third World Cup final loss after 1974 and 1978.

Spain, appearing in their first final, become the second team after West Germany in 1974 to follow up winning the European championship by lifting the biggest prize of all. The Spaniards were also the first European team to win the World Cup on a foreign continent as they became the eighth name on the trophy first played for in 1930.The victory sees Spain join Brazil (five times winners), Italy (four), Germany (three), Uruguay (two), Argentina (two), England and France as world champions.

"It was a very difficult match," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque. "We have fantastic players. We could have scored another goal or two but I think the result was deserved. It's a very happy day for me. Naturally, I'm proud." "It's unbelievable, incredible," added goalscorer Andres Iniesta. "It cost a lot of energy. To win a World Cup is an indescribable feeling. This was our work that we started a long time ago, it was hard work, but we're savouring this now."

Nobody in Spain will care but it was a ragged final, marred by a record 13 yellow cards and one red.After the goal and again at the final whistle the furious Dutch players surrounded English referee Howard Webb, claiming Iniesta was offside and also angry that Cares Puyol had escaped punishment when hauling down Arjen Robben late in normal time.

With the frenzy finish, there was little action in the first 90 minutes. Stekelenburg was forced into a save after five minutes when Sergio Ramos headed a Xavi cross goalwards while Spain forward David Villa crashed a volley into the side netting with the goal looming. A series of freekicks and bookings, including two strong challenges by Dutch midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel, shook Spain out of their rhythm and stopped them from producing the swift-passing game that got them to the final.

Netherlands offered little in attack and the nearest they came to a first-half goal was a bizarre incident when Gregory van der Wiel attempted to give the ball back in an act of sportsmanship.The fullback's 60-metre punt bounced up and over Spain captain Iker Casillas, forcing the startled keeper to leap and tip it to safety.
Wesley Sneijder then split the Spanish defence with a perfectly-weighted ball into the path of Robben after 62 minutes only for Casillas to save brilliantly with his feet. Villa had a shot blocked in front of the line, an unmarked Ramos headed wildly over the bar from five metres out and Puyol had his escape when Robben stayed on his feet as he was being pulled -- and was booked for complaining.

In extra time it was Stekelenburg's turn to save with his feet when substitute Fabregas was sent clear by Iniesta.Netherlands had to play with 10 men for the last 10 minutes of extra time when Heitinga was sent off for hauling down Iniesta on the edge of the box.The little midfielder got back on his feet and soon after was celebrating scoring the winner in the World Cup final after smashing the ball past Stekelenburg from eight metres.

After the restart Holland had a couple of good chances to score, Robben breaking free twice only to be thwarted by Casillas both times. Villa had a shot blocked on the line by Heitinga and Sergio Ramos headed the ball over the top with the goal at his mercy, but with the scoreline unmoved, the game went in to extra time.

Again Spain pushed forward, Stekelenberg having to be at his best to save from substitute Fábregas, and Iniesta and Navas both going close. But Holland were left with ten men after Heitinga picked up a second booking for a foul on Iniesta, and with just four minutes to go Fábregas put Iniesta through for him a drill a shot past the keeper. A goal worthy enough to win the World Cup, and Spain add the world title to the European championship they won two years ago!