FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Grand Final (11 July 2010)

Virgin champions: SPAIN!

Andres Iniesta celebrates his extra-time goal.

Spanish captain Iker Casillas
wins the Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper).

GRAND FINAL:
SPAIN 1 - HOLLAND 0
(after extra time)

To be honest, it was not a classic final. Much of it was dour, with final debutant Spain doing most of the attacking and Holland, third time finalist, defending stoutly. Niggling fouls disrupted the flow and rhythm, with possibly the record number of yellow cards (13, including a red for Holand's John Heitinga) being flashed. Great chances were missed, in particular Arjen Robben's solo, heroically stalled by Golden Glove "Saint Iker" Casillas. Vicente del Bosque's substitutions were strokes of genius. Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas (coming on for David Villa and Pedro respectively) created the only goal on the 116th minute, with Andres Iniesta putting it away with aplomb. The Dutch will have much to complain about the refereeing by UK's Howard Webb. He missed an obvious corner for Holland off a free-kick at 115 minutes, The ensuing goal-kick led directly to the Spanish goal. Nevertheless, Spain are the deserving champions, conceding only two goals in the entire tournament (in their loss to Switzerland, and one to Chile), and scoring the least (8 goals) for winners. Rating 3/5

Which leaves one final question:

Q: Which is the only unbeaten team in World Cup 2010?

A: The All-Whites of New Zealand!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Quarter Finals Day 1 (2 July 2010)

Holland Goal#1: Felipe Melo (own goal)

Holland Goal #2: Wesley Sneijder

Quarter-finals:

HOLLAND 2 - BRAZIL 1

Q: How on earth did highly fancied Brazil lose to Holland?

A: Play like Arsenal. And here's how:

1. Turn up expecting an easy win.

2. Score an early goal from silky passing.

3. Dominate the first half but fail to apply the finishing touch.

4. Concede from set pieces.

5. Have your goalkeeper flap like Almunia, Fabianski, Lehmann, Mannone (take a pick).

6. Score a comical own goal (a la Abou Diaby).

7. Have a player sent off from a silly foul. End of lesson from Professor Wenger.
Rating: 4/5

URUGUAY 1 - GHANA 1

(Uruguay win 4-2 on penalties)

There were lots of opportunities for both sides to score, but aside from two exceptional long distance goals (from Sulley Muntari and Diego Forlan), it was a stalemate. Cue a penalty for Ghana in the last minute of extra time, Asamoah Gyan to score and send the Africans to a historic first semi-final, right? Wrong, he fluffed it and Ghana go out in the penalty shoot-out. Suarez's handball and red card now looks like a touch of genius (or Hand of God). How to lose on penalties: do it like England. Shoot low, soft and near the keeper. Rating: 4/5