Spain emerged victorious from a nail-biting World Cup final in Johannesburg on Sunday evening, beating Holland 0-1 after an extra-time goal by playmaker Andres Iniesta. Spain now become only the third team, after Germany and France, to hold both the European Cup and the World Cup simultaneously
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk congratulated Spain on their victory, saying the best team had won. He also expressed regret at having missed a third opportunity for the Dutch to win the title. The Dutch were hoping to make it third time lucky, having been losing finalists in 1974 and 1978. The orange team were perhaps closest to clinching the trophee during regular playing time. Striker Arjen Robben was one-on-one with the goalkeeper twice, but on both occasions Iker Casillas made superb saves.
Englishman Howard Webb had a busy night. He issued no fewer than 13 yellow cards, nine of which went to the Dutch, including one resulting in a red card for defender John Heitinga.
The Dutch team will return to the Netherlands on Monday. An F-16 fighter plane will escort them from the moment they enter Dutch airspace. On Tuesday, they will receive a public welcome in Amsterdam. Hundreds of thousands of fans will flock to the capital's museum square to congratulate the players on another great achievement for Dutch football.
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The Dutch knew they had to challenge Spain more than Germany did, that strategy nearly paid off, except outmuscling the more adept passing game of Spain incurred Heitinga a well deserved red card, and that in the end cost them the game. Viva El Toro, Sorry dutchies you had your chances. Dutch man of the match for me was van Bronckhorst, and for Spain Inielga.
LOL Jasmin I respect your view but what you are saying is just not true, I think that you have a lightly flavour for the dutch team. Spain was clearly stronger in the final and that frustrated the players from the dutch team so they began to tackle and play dirty and all. Spain just deserved to win.
Shame on Netherland, they didn't play football they are catchers. What a pity Netherland played in final. It is one of the most bad final ever, because of Netherland dirty game. Bravo Spain
There too many yellow cards were handed out by the referee, who also made some wrong calls.
Shame that the Englishman Webb ruined the chances of Dutch victory. The Oranje are still the champions and deserve all praise and welcome. Shame on Spain, they hardly played well...in my view.
Jasmin, i don´t know what match did you see, but i was a football match not an martial arts competition. The Oranje game was more like a Jackie Chang movie. Shame tha Webbs allowed such a behavior on the field. At least 2 red cards to Dutch players before first half are perfectly clear.