Conquistadors! Royal Spain have been crowned world champions on Iniesta's dramatic goal. The game was a physical struggle that saw seven Dutch players yellow-carded, Heitinga red-carded and five Spanish players yellow-carded.
Both Arjen Robben and Sergio Ramos had clear goal-scoring chances, but they were thwarted by authentic miracles performed by excellent goalies, Iger Casillas and Stekelenburg.
I can only congratulate my Dutch friends and compatriots for an incredible performance against the best team in the tournament. They ran like antelopes, fought like lions, and only the right foot of goalie Casillas stopped their dream from coming true.
Spain won because they had the best defence — allowing only two goals in the event— the best midfield led by Iniesta and Xavi, the best goalie in Casillas and the top scorer in Villa, tied with Forlan, Sneijder and Muller on five goals. It was only fitting that Iniesta scored the winning goal. He completed an incredible 541 passes. The Spanish midfield dominated every team it played. They put together an unstoppable pressure-machine based on seven Barca and three Real Madrid players.
We will forever remember this World Cup for the reassuring blare of the vuvuzelas, the eerie predictions of Paul the octopus and the colour and rhythm of the Bafana Bafana fans. We will remember it also for the failures of the Italian, French and English teams, the no-shows of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and, in a way, Messi. We will cherish the birth of young stars, Mueller, Ayew, Ozil, Elia and Honda who will be delighting us for years to come.
{{/usCountry}}We will forever remember this World Cup for the reassuring blare of the vuvuzelas, the eerie predictions of Paul the octopus and the colour and rhythm of the Bafana Bafana fans. We will remember it also for the failures of the Italian, French and English teams, the no-shows of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and, in a way, Messi. We will cherish the birth of young stars, Mueller, Ayew, Ozil, Elia and Honda who will be delighting us for years to come.
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