The DePaulia

Issue date: 7/15/10 Section: 2010 World Cup

Media Credit: AP Photo Spanish captain Iker Casillas lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Media Credit: AP Photo Andres Iniesta scores in 116th minute past Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Much like the pending doom of Cinderella's fate as the clock hands neared midnight, the Spanish and Dutch played knowing time in South Africa was winding down and the ultimate decision of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final - and titleholder for the next four years - could be made in the blink of an eye.

As the end of the second period of extra time neared, Spain's Andres Iniesta found an open space and took a chance, scoring the one and only goal of the match in the 116th minute, winning Spain their first-ever World Cup.

"Spain showed everybody what beautiful football can be like," said DePaul men's soccer coach Craig Blazer, who was "pleasantly pleased with the idea that Spain played an outstanding game and that the better team won."

Dominating the match from the start, Spain forced the Netherlands into a defensive position and attempted multiple shots, all of which were blocked by Dutch goalie Maarten Stekelenburg. As the Dutch defense retaliated, yellow cards began to fly, amounting to a record 14 yellow cards and one red card between the two sides.

"The Dutch kind of changed the way they played and they started going in on some serious hard tackles and they really broke Spain's momentum," Blazer said.

"They did it, but they did it in such a way that was against the nature of Dutch football. That's disappointing to me that they resorted to playing so physically because they are such a talented team and they don't have to. It was their response to the game that they just got caught up in the momentum of the game, the pressure of the game," added Blazer.

Despite the vicious Dutch defense, both offenses pushed forward, with Bert van Marwijk's Dutch team sending a close shot towards the Spanish defenders in the 37th minute. Just after halftime, Spain's Carles Puyol attempted to connect with Joan Capdevila, but failed to do so. The 62nd minute proved another opportunity for the Dutch and Wesley Sneijder, but Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas deflected the shot.

The Spanish continued to push through the Dutch defense as the scoreless match wore on, extending into extra time, soon gaining an advantage after Netherlands' John Heitinga received his second yellow for pulling down Iniesta as he neared the box.

"It's almost a tribute to Spanish soccer right now, and to the Spanish team, of how good they are that an outstanding team like the Dutch could be so intimidated by Spain's technical players and overall quality players that they resorted to that [physical play]," Blazer said.

Although the Dutch did not go into the match with the plan to play a physical game, Blazer said that the team was under a lot of pressure to win and, reflecting on the Spanish victory over Germany, knew that they could not allow them much time with the ball.

"This Spanish team is just an outstanding team," Blazer said. "The Dutch had a lot of pressure on them, with the fact that they are such a good soccer country and that they still haven't won the World Cup. Besides this game, the Dutch had an unbelievable tournament and so I think they can be proud for that."

While both Spain and the Netherlands have reasons to be satisfied by their performance and accomplishments during the tournament, Blazer said that soccer is still the winner because of how many people tuned in for the matches.

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