Played
July 11, 2010 7:30:00 PM BST
Soccer City, Johannesburgo
Referee:‬ Howard Webb (ENG)‎
 
120′ +4
It took an awfully long time to spark into life but this final has provided us with a moment of unforgettable drama with Iniesta's perfect strike landing his country's first World Cup. 2008 was no fluke, Spain have forever cast aside the tag of chokers. Let's not forget the Dutch, for whom it is a third defeat in the final however one has to admit that the Spanish were the better side both on the night and throughout the tournament. It's been an incredible privilege to cover this World Cup final and indeed the entire tournament for Goal.com. Do take time to read our match report and upcoming ratings. Make Goal.com your only stop for all the post-final reaction and as we leave South Africa behind, all the latest transfer news as we head into the new season. From me, Gary Niblock, congratulations to Spain and goodnight.
 
120′ +3
There is a stunning contrast and array of emotions on the field. Ecstasy, anger, devastation, joy and despair have engulfed the two sets of players. Andres Iniesta has fired this Spanish side to greatness as they become not only the first European side to win the World Cup outside Europe but they also emulate the French side of the turn of the millennium by holding both the European and World titles simultaneously.
 
120′ +2
ALL OVER IN JOHANNESBURG SPAIN ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!
 
120′ +2
Torres is down in agony with what appears to be a pulled hamstring. The Dutch are frantically seeking that equaliser but to no avail.
 
120′ +1
Yellow Card Xavi
 
120′ +1
Xavi takes no shame in being booked for kicking the ball away to eat up a few more precious seconds.
 
120′
There will be two minutes of stoppage time for the Dutch to try and salvage their World Cup hopes.
 
119′
There was more than a hint of controversy about the Spanish goal as it came after the Dutch felt that Elia had been blocked off by Ramos and with some justification. Joris Mathijsen received a booking for his efforts at protesting the decision.
 
118′
FINALLY FINALLY A GOAL And there is no player more deserving of the honour of giving his side the lead than the DON - Andres Iniesta! After some excellent build-up play from Cesc, Spain worked the ball to Iniesta on the right side of the box and the little genius made no mistake, volleying the ball home with power and precision. He teed the ball up quite magnificently and maybe finally Iniesta will receive the plaudits he richly deserves.
 
117′
Yellow Card Andrés Iniesta Luján
 
117′
Yellow Card Joris Mathijsen
 
116′
Goal Andrés Iniesta Luján
 
115′
He did more than line it up - his effort spins not far wide of the goal having deflected off the wall in the form of Fabregas yet astonishingly a goal kick is given to the consternation and utter disbelief of the Dutch.
 
115′
It's now Puyol who is relieved not to be booked after he is penalised for a trip on Elia to prevent his mazy run transpiring into something more dangerous for La Furia Roja. Sneijder is lining up the resulting free kick.
 
113′
Robben risks being the second man sent off after he kicks the ball away having already been whistled for offside. However once more Howard Webb shows a degree of leniency.
 
111′
It is often stated that the side with ten men plays better as they have to work even harder however such has been the endeavour of this Dutch side that it's hard not to see the Spanish scoring the decisive goal in the time remaining. After Van der Wiel is booked, Xavi whips in a testing free kick but for the umpteenth time, Stekelenburg punches away with confidence.
 
111′
Xavi then steps up to rub salt into Heitinga's wounds but his free kick is curled wide of the goal. Can Spain make the most of the extra man?
 
110′
Yellow Card Gregory van der Wiel
 
109′
At long last a red card in this World Cup final and Johnny Heitinga is the recipient as he commits a professional foul. Iniesta who has been Spain's best player, darted in between the Dutch centrebacks and was pulled down by Heitinga leaving Howard Webb no other option but to give the Everton man his marching orders.
 
109′
Yellow/Red John Heitinga
 
108′
Finally a glimpse of what Elia can do as he leaves Ramos in his wake but carelessly allows the ball to cross the goal-line as he tried to cut the ball back to Van Persie.
 
107′
Spain are on the front foot once more however Van der Vaart's robust challenge has won possession back for the Dutch.
 
107′
It's a Merseyside derby now as Heitinga foils Torres twice in the opening minute or so.
 
106′
We begin the final fifteen minutes with Fernando Torres spearheading the Spanish attack in place of David Villa. It's the Dutch who kick us off.
 
105′
Substitution David Villa Fernando Torres
 
105′ +1
We've now had 105 minutes of action and still these sides cannot be separated. There will be a quick turnaround before a final quarter of an hour and then penalties to resolve the destination of the 19th World Cup.
 
105′ +1
There is one additional minute at the end of the first period of extra time.
 
105′
Twice in the space of 20 seconds Elia is foiled by Ramos who has coped admirably with the threat of the HSV winger. A poignant moment for Gio in his last ever professional game as he is replaced at leftback by Bayern's Edson Braafheid with Van der Vaart taking on the captain's armband.
 
104′
Substitution Giovanni van Bronckhorst Edson Braafheid
 
104′
The Dutch look happy to see out this period with the scores level however they didn't account for Cesc who danced his way through a surprised Dutch rearguard before shooting wide as he fatally lost his balance under the pressure of Mathijsen.
 
102′
Iniesta, who for me has been magnificent tonight, exhibits his all-round game with a clean challenge on Robben to rob the winger of the ball.
 
101′
An excellent turn from Van Bommel sends him clear of Busquets but his attempted through-ball cannot find Van Persie. And another heroic block from Gio who deflects the drive of Navas wide of the goal! Half the crowd thought it was in as it crashed against the side netting with Stekelenburg beaten.
 
99′
And the change would almost have come after a Spanish goal. Another threatening burst forward from Iniesta opens the Dutch defence up again but Van Bronckhorst is across with a captain's challenge to keep his side in this final. Van der Vaart replaces De Jong.
 
99′
Van der Vaart looks set to come on for the Dutch.
 
98′
Substitution Nigel De Jong Rafael Van der Vaart
 
98′
Van Bronckhorst keeps his calm to beat Villa to the far post header from Capdevila's cross. The game has opened up in extra time with both sides looking to avoid the dreaded lottery of the penalty shoot-out.
 
97′
Perhaps the last warning for Van Bommel who is penalised for holding back Xavi.
 
97′
This time it's Stekelenburg to the rescue in a one-on-one situation to foil Cesc Fabregas who had glided in behind the Dutch defence! He composed himself, the Arsenal star before firing left-footed towards goal and seeing his effort blasted away by the feet of Stekelenburg. Moments later Mathijsen spurns a golden chance when his attempted header ends up ricocheting behind off the defender's shoulder.
 
95′
A rare slack pass from Xavi almost catches out Pique but has enough legs on it to prevent Sneijder from a free run on goal.
 
93′
The Spanish were forced to settle for a corner which came to nothing. Xavi tripped himself, however it should be emphasised he was never looking to con the referee. Good, strong officiating from Howard Webb under immense pressure.
 
92′
There are repeated cries for a penalty from the Spanish as De Jong and then Heitinga deny Iniesta and then Xavi with some no-nonsense but heroic defending to keep their clean sheet intact.
 
91′
Excellent play from De Jong who pickpockets Xavi before powering forward with the ball and finding Robben. The combative midfielder is showing no signs of fatigue.
 
91′
We're underway in the first fifteen minute period of extra time with Xavi and David Villa.
 
90′ +3
A weary effort from Sneijder from 45 yards which he was forced into after Robben had ran offside proves to be the last shot on goal of normal time. We're heading to extra time just as in 2006 after the second scoreless final in World Cup history following Brazil-Italy in 1994. That tie was settled from the penalty spot. Given the evenly matched nature of these sides, this could well follow suit.
 
90′ +2
With not long left on the clock, Oranje look to swarm forward with the pace of Robben once again the preferred outlet but again the ball forward from De Jong requires impossible speed from the #11.
 
90′
A commanding header clear from Mathijsen after another cross into the box from Ramos this time. There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
 
89′
The tactic almost pays off but even the jet-heeled Robben failed to reach the clearance forward with Puyol already having been left in his wake. Sneijder threads the ball through for Van Persie who is a good yard offside.
 
88′
After an oh-too-brief spurt from the Dutch, they have once again retreated to their own half and are allowing Spain to dictate the play.
 
87′
Van Persie wriggles away from his man but is prematurely stopped in his tracks. Cesc comes on for Xabi Alonso in another positive move which meets the approval of the Spanish contingent in the crowd.
 
86′
Substitution Xabi Alonso Cesc Fàbregas
 
86′
He's wanted to play his part and finally Cesc Fabregas looks as if he will get his chance.
 
85′
Puyol was fortunate that he failed to stop Robben entirely as had the Dutchman gone to ground, Puyol was heading for the showers. It was in fact the sheer speed of the Bayern winger that saved the blushes of Puyol.
 
83′
Once again Robben is thwarted by Casillas with some help from Puyol as he exhibited lightning pace to latch onto a through ball to which he had no right. Having evaded Puyol, Robben tries to round Casillas but the Real stopper keeps his cool and dives over the ball. Robben is then booked for his subsequent attempt to win a penalty and protests aimed at Howard Webb.
 
83′
Yellow Card Arjen Robben
 
82′
For the second time in a minute, Iniesta almost dances his way through the Dutch defence down the left. He first left Heitinga standing and then one-on-one with Sneijder sees himself denied by an outstanding and most unexpected perfectly executed tackle by the playmaker.
 
81′
Huntelaar looks to be readying himself to enter the fray. Watch this space.
 
79′
Howard Webb is resolute in his determination to keep all 22 players on the field. Navas wins a corner off Gio which Xavi chips to the near post only to see De Jong throw himself at the ball and head it away.
 
78′
More revenge from Iniesta on his nemesis Van Bommel still doesn't earn the Don a booking which given the context of this game is baffling. However Van Bommel had moments earlier left his foot in and he too was more than a smidgen fortunate to escape further punishment.
 
77′
One can never allow their concentration to slip when facing David Villa. Van der Wiel has to slide in to deflect his effort on goal behind. AND RAMOS HEADS OVER WITH THE GOAL AT HIS MERCY A free header for the Real rightback on the edge of the six yard box and he somehow contrives to miss the target when over 90,000 were just waiting for the net to bulge.
 
76′
A wonderfully intricate move involving Iniesta who ghosted between the defensive and midfield lines of the Dutch culminated in Alonso finding Navas down the right. His cross has Villa lunging at the far post and off-balance, El Guaje's left-footed volley sails into the crowd.
 
74′
Villa elects to take but the ball was always curling away from Stekelenburg. Just over a quarter of an hour to go. Can the deadlock be broken in normal time?
 
73′
Heitinga catches Iniesta as he tries to play Navas in down the right which edges the centreback closer to a red card. Spain have a free-kick just left of centre around 25 yards from goal.
 
72′
Xavi again takes it upon himself to burst through the Dutch rearguard but once more he is crowded out by a combination of Heitinga, Mathijsen and Van der Wiel.
 
71′
The Dutch will now look to open up the game a touch with the pace of Elia trying to stretch the Spanish down the left flank as the HSV flyer seeks to exploit the forward forays of Sergio Ramos.
 
70′
Incredible last-gasp challenge from Heitinga! Navas tortures Gio on the right and his wicked ball into the area knocks Heitinga off his feet. Villa is alone at the back post and despite it being a virtual certainty that he would give Spain the lead with his sixth strike of the tournament, Heitinga redeemed himself with a superhuman block to deflect the ball over the bar. Kuijt now makes way for the pace and trickery of Elia down the left.
 
70′
Substitution Dirk Kuyt Eljero Elia
 
69′
After Pique strides forward out of defence, Villa is unjustifiably on the wrong side of a tight offside call however in any case he would have been denied by an old-fashioned hoof into the crowd from Heitinga.
 
68′
Yellow Card Andrés Iniesta Luján
 
68′
A touch of revenge from Iniesta who is penalised after he catches Van Bommel.
 
67′
Capdevila is cautioned after stopping Van Persie in his tracks after the striker had broken away from his marker. Robben's free kick is met by the imposing Gerard Pique who domineeringly heads the ball clear of danger.
 
66′
Yellow Card Capdevila
 
66′
Xavi and Iniesta almost weave their way through the Dutch defence to create a Spanish masterpiece however Oranje do just about enough to scramble the ball back to Stekelenburg.
 
65′
The Navas change is a sign of some clear thinking on the part of Del Bosque. Gio is not the greatest defender and is also on a yellow card so he will need to be uber-careful against the out and out wing play of the Sevilla player shorn of many more caps due to his homesickness, from which he now appears to have recovered.
 
63′
Full credit to Kuijt for the ball through from a player often accused of lacking guile. Robben may well live to regret not converting that opportunity. Remember how Spain came alive upon Iker Casillas' save from Cardozo's penalty in the quarter-final against Paraguay.
 
62′
HUGE CHANCE FOR THE DUTCH Iker Casillas stands up to Robben who was through 1-on-1 and the Dutch winger will be wondering how he managed not to score. Casillas committed himself to the dive leftwards but still managed to deny Robben by swinging his right boot in the direction of the shot. A very lucky escape for Spain.
 
61′
Kuijt's cross finds Van Persie who intelligently runs across Puyol before heading towards goal but Puyol does just enough to impede the #9 as his effort flashes wide.
 
60′
Capdevila beats Van der Wiel on the outside and sends in a testing cross which is headed away by Mathijsen. Spain make the first change of the night bringing off Pedro for Sevilla's right winger Jesus Navas.
 
59′
Substitution Pedro Jesús Navas González
 
59′
There are a host of gasps of anguish in the crowd as Heitinga appeared to peel off Ramos at the back post before diverting the header across goal however he had already been flagged for offside.
 
57′
Van Bommel continues to do himself no favours in the popularity stakes as he hits the ball out of play denying the Spanish the chance to quickly counter. Now Iniesta catches Sneijder on the knee but he somehow escapes a booking. If Webb is to be tough, he must be consistent as well.
 
56′
Yellow Card John Heitinga
 
56′
Sergio Ramos continues his excellent game with a vital interception as he beats Sneijder to the ball after a typically mazy and enterprising dribble from Robben down the right. There are concerns in the Spanish ranks as Villa is down injured from a forceful challenge by Heitinga which earns the Everton utility-man a booking.
 
55′
Xavi curls the ball around the outside of the wall but despite his effort being reasonably close to the target, his intentions were well telegraphed and Stekelenburg always had his near post covered.
 
54′
A delightful 1-2 between Ramos and Puyol is illegally snuffed out and Gio is subsequently booked for a combination of his dragging of Ramos to the ground and the dissent that followed.
 
53′
Yellow Card Giovanni van Bronckhorst
 
53′
Mathijsen does superbly there to use his body strength and presence to position himself between Villa and Stekelenburg. The HSV stalwart has given a fine defensive performance so far.
 
52′
Such is the industry of Dirk Kuijt that he manages to simultaneously (and unsuccessfully) appeal for handball while continuing to chase down the loose ball and he is able to lay it off to Robben who shoots wide from distance.
 
51′
I may have castigated Mathijsen earlier for his slackness in possession but he kept his cool when he needed to with his backpass to Stekelenburg evading the ultimately futile chasing run of Villa.
 
50′
It's not often Xabi Alonso outpaces someone but he did get past Van Bommel initially before the hardman goes shoulder to shoulder and averts the danger. Van Der Wiel rampages forward down the right with gay abandon and he squirts a cross across the six yard box with Van Persie absent having just played in the Ajax right-back.
 
49′
And now Capdevila spurns a great chance at the far post after Puyol flicked on Xavi's outswinger. That's two left-footed defenders now who have had more than presentable opportunities to score.
 
47′
Xavi attempted to worm his way through the Dutch backline but he faced the hitherto impregnable Mathijsen. Xavi almost breaks through moments later after a delicate touch from Iniesta and Spain's pressure tells as they win a corner. They have undoubtedly gone up a notch after the break.
 
46′
A careless ball from Van der Wiel straight to Puyol gifts Spain the ball when Robben was lurking in space on the right touchline. Moments later he seeks out Van Persie after a beautiful flick to evade Alonso but his ball has too much purchase.
 
46′
Spain kick us off in the second half. All three of Spain's knockout games have been 0-0 at the interval.
 
 
Howard Webb blows for half-time and we are still scoreless in the World Cup final. Neither side have truly carried a sustained threat with the karate kick of De Jong the major talking point. The Dutch have been content to stifle the Spanish with a mix of tough tackling and a well-drilled defensive shape. Del Bosque's men have attempted their usual passing game however to no avail so far but they may sense a weakness in the Dutch defence with the lack of mobility from Mathijsen in the back four. However Villa has so far not been able to go one-on-one with Stekelenburg. Join me in fifteen minutes for the second half.
 
45′ +1
Robben tests out Casillas with a left-foot shot which may have struck the post but with the 100-cap veteran wisely taking no risks, he tips the ball around the corner and behind.
 
45′ +1
There are to be two added minutes at the end of the first period.
 
45′
Terrific play from Gio to turn defence into attack as he vitally intercepts a ball forward looking for Villa before playing in Van Persie on the edge of the box however he was extremely well marshalled by Pique who dealt with the Dutch threat.
 
43′
Xabi Alonso goes for the piledriver from the free kick however it's never in danger of troubling Stekelenburg and the effort is met with derision by Vicente Del Bosque on the Spanish touchline.
 
42′
Sneijder and Busquets are both writhing in agony after colliding with each other in a good old 50-50 challenge from which Sneijder comes off worst. With a refreshing degree of common sense, Webb refrains from showing either party a yellow card.
 
40′
The resulting free kick is deliciously glided in towards Puyol who tried to glance his mane of longish curly hair towards the ball however the ball crashes against the head of Heitinga who was in close attendance.
 
39′
Van Bommel can't help but walk the disciplinary tightrope as he is penalised for a trip on Xavi.
 
38′
And Spain respond. Pedro bursts forward through the centre of the field and almost catches Stekelenburg off guard as he left foot strike shoots not that far wide of the post.
 
37′
The chants seemed to spur the Dutch on as Robben and then Sneijder probe down the right hand side and win a Dutch corner. It's played cleverly to the edge of the box to Van Bommel who instead of shooting, squares the ball to Mathijsen who then totally fluffs his lines to the despair of Van Marwijk and Frank De Boer on the Dutch bench.
 
36′
A lull in the play sparks chants of "Holland, Holland" among various sections of the crowd. This final is yet to hit the heights however you can't take your eye off the action for one second, such is the enthralling nature of this cat and mouse contest.
 
35′
Casillas completely misjudges a ball back from Sneijder who was looking to return the ball to the Spanish. Sportingly, the Dutch choose to make no capital from the corner, instead returning it to Casillas who would have his heart in his mouth for a split second.
 
34′
Robben tries to dash through a slight hole in the Spanish backline but Busquets takes one for the team as he nudges the winger to the ground. Mathijsen delivers a long ball into the Spanish box aiming for Van Persie who sees another confident claim from Casillas who inadvertently collides with Puyol in the process.
 
32′
Robben shows he can defend a lot better than he showed against Brazil as he nicks the ball away from Pedro to prevent another mazy dribble from the Barca winger.
 
31′
Xavi makes a rare burst towards the box to become his side's furthest man forward but Mathijsen spotted the run in the nick of time and shepherded the ball through to Stekelenburg.
 
28′
Another errant pass from Mathijsen in the general direction of Gio who hadn't a prayer of catching it. The HSV man has been awry in possession. De Jong's untidy challenge on Xabi Alonso - a boot to the chest of the midfielder provokes a chorus of boos around Soccer City and though De Jong protests he was trying to play the ball, he is extremely fortunate not to have received his marching orders.
 
28′
Yellow Card Nigel De Jong
 
27′
Mathijsen commits the cardinal sin of giving the ball away to Xavi but fortunately he isn't punished for his offence. It is remarkable to witness Robben with the ball as he constantly seems to be off-balance yet finds a way to beat his man. However he is yet to spark into life this evening.
 
25′
Two uncompromising tacklers both ensure no early bath (yet) as Puyol and then Van Bommel time their respective challenges to perfection.
 
24′
Sneijder hangs a high ball at the far post as he looks to utilise the properties of this controversial Jabulani ball but Casillas is up to the mark as he produces a commanding leap to take the ball.
 
23′
Yellow Card Sergio Ramos
 
23′
Ramos is booked after he catches Kuijt on the toe as the Liverpool attacker sensed a gap in the Spanish defence.
 
22′
Many will feel that Van Bommel has received his just desserts from Howard Webb as he is booked for a crunching tackle from behind on Iniesta.
 
21′
Yellow Card Mark van Bommel
 
20′
The Dutch are beginning to pass the ball much better and as I type that, we see the first dangerous slalom run from Robben who forces Xabi to poke the ball behind for a corner. Ramos heads the corner away for a throw.
 
19′
As the Dutch know only too well from their quarter-final triumph over Brazil, if they hang in there when things aren't going too well, they have the ability to hurt even the best defence. Spain meanwhile will play the long game as ever, priming their opponent before seizing the right opportunity to pounce and deliver the killer blow.
 
18′
Sneijder steps up behind the dead ball and delivers it with pace however it carries to Casillas on the full.
 
17′
Now Puyol is booked for a lunge on Arjen Robben who looked to come short and receive the ball from Van der Wiel. It was a needless booking as for once the flying Dutch winger was going nowhere.
 
16′
Yellow Card Puyol
 
16′
There is a slight delay as the Villarreal leftback receives treatment and fortunately he will be fine to continue.
 
15′
Van Persie is booked this time for a mistimed tackle on Capdevila as the Arsenal man continues to cut a frustrated figure upfront.
 
14′
Yellow Card Robin Van Persie
 
14′
The lack of accomplished teamwork so far emanating from the Dutch is highlighted once more when Van der Wiel fails to find Robben on the right touchline allowing the Spanish to play the possession game they relish. Van Bommel is penalised for a late challenge on Puyol however at least the Dutch are looking to press high up the pitch as the Paraguayans did with a fair degree of success.
 
12′
Villa manages to cleverly evade the Dutch defenders. The play spreads to Ramos down the right who waltzes into the penalty box, shrugging off Kuijt and he almost forces an own goal from Heitinga who could so easily have sliced his clearance into the net. From the corner, Villa is found at the far post but despite striking the left foot volley sweetly, it pings into the side netting.
 
9′
This time Villa is onside as Xabi plays him in behind Heitinga and Mathijsen however luckily for the centrebacks, the ball has just enough carry on it to reach Stekelenburg.
 
8′
Puyol tries to skin Van Persie on the left touchline however judging by his effort he would be better served sticking to his no-nonsense brand of defending. Kuijt has a weak effort on target for Oranje which Casillas could have collected in his sleep.
 
7′
A rather hasty clearance from Heitinga betrays some understandable nerves in the Dutch camp. There is little doubt that the Spanish have started the brighter.
 
6′
That's an exquisite turn from Pedro however once more Villa is offside from the attempted through ball. Normally accustomed to operating in wide areas, he looks to be relishing being able to see both sides of the field playing just off Villa.
 
5′
Ramos looks to embark on one of his characteristic forays forward down the right but his run is well anticipated by Mathijsen who clears the ball out of play. Gio is penalised for a tackle on Ramos conceding a free kick to the Spanish in a dangerous position from the right. It's a superb delivery and Stekelenburg is called into action to hurl himself to his right and parry the header from Ramos away!
 
4′
Excellent tackle from Puyol on a Van Persie looking to finally make his mark in the tournament. Sneijder is operating quite close to Van Bommel and De Jong in the early stages. Pedro tries to play in Villa but the new Barcelona man is fractionally offside.
 
3′
A first glimpse of what the Spanish can do as Iniesta ghosts through the midfield only to see the move break down when Pedro stumbles to the ground. Seconds later, Van der Wiel concedes the free-kick.
 
1′
The first free kick of the final is awarded to Spain against Van Persie who catches Busquets with a typical striker's lunge.
 
1′
An early ball forward almost finds the industrious Kuijt down the left but even he gives up the chase and decides not to pursue that lost cause.
 
1′
We're underway in Soccer City with the Dutch playing in their trademark orange kits. Spain are in their change strip of navy blue.
 
 
A quick recap of the two teams : Netherlands (4-2-3-1) : Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (c), De Jong, Van Bommel, Robben, Sneijder, Kuijt, Van Persie Spain (4-2-2-2) : Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila, Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa.
 
 
On one hand we have the Dutch managed by Bert Van Marwijk who have won their last fourteen competitive fixtures, a European record. They have also won their last five World Cup games by a single goal margin, also a record. Oranje will do battle against La Furia Roja who have an almost impeccable record of 32 wins from their last 34 matches and who top the passing charts in this tournament with over 5000 passes. Xavi alone passes the ball on average every 55 seconds. Both sides also have players vying for the Golden Shoe in Wesley Sneijder and David Villa. Should neither fail to score, Thomas Mueller with three assists to his name may well end up securing that prize.
 
 
Good evening and welcome to Goal.com's live text commentary of the 19th World Cup Final between the Netherlands and Spain taking place in Soccer City, Johannesburg. Whatever happens tonight, we will see a new name engraved on the famous trophy, be it the dazzing Dutch or the stylish Spanish. This final pits together arguably the finest two football nations never to have won football's greatest prize. I'm Gary Niblock and I'll be guiding you through all the action tonight.
 
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Jul 11
World Cup 2010 Comment: Will Catalunya Be Supporting Spain In The Final Against Netherlands?
Jul 11
World Cup Comment: The Netherlands And Spain Herald A New Era For International Football
Jul 11
World Cup 2010: Meet The Finalists - The Spain Players Who Reached The Final
Jul 11
World Cup 2010: Meet The Finalists - The Netherlands Players Who Reached The Final
 
Top Scorers
Player Goals Penalties
Diego Forlán Corazo Diego Forlán Corazo
Uruguay 		Striker 5 1
David Villa David Villa
Spain 		Striker 5 0
Wesley Sneijder Wesley Sneijder
Netherlands 		Midfielder 5 0
Thomas Müller Thomas Müller
Germany 		Striker 5 0
Robert Vittek Robert Vittek
Slovakia 		Striker 4 1
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