World Cup Game #63 (delayed coverage)

Third place play-off can be a funny game - in past tournaments it has varied between the dreariest game of the tournament because, after all, who the hell cares and being the most exciting because, after all, who cares? Fortunately, this was one of the latter because both Uruguay and Germany opened up for this game.

Scoring was pretty much turn and turn about so the lead changed just about every time a goal was scored. Both sides featured different line-usp to previous games and those players relished the chance to run. Predictably, it was Forlan who shone for Uruguay (and scored their second goal) whilst Muller and Khedira were both outstanding for Germany. Final result was 3-2 to Germany with the winning goal (from Khedira) only coming 8 minutes from time.

This was a showcase for exciting attacking football and both teams came to do that. It was ironic, in one sense because Germany lost their semifinal because they didn't play like this and if Uruguay would play like this when there was something at stake, they would be a far better team for it.

World Cup Game #64 (delayed coverage)

The last few World Cup final haven't really shown football at it's finest and this one tried hard to change that. Sadly, one man tried to stop that - the referee who trotted out no less than 12 yellow cards and one red (for a second yellow). Unfortunately, this changed the entire course of the game and the Dutch, in particular, had to alter their play style to cope with this.

Statistically, this game sounds very level but the Spanish almost always seemed to be the more threatening. Yes, the Dutch did threaten at times, Robben again being a particularly potent threat on the wing, his pace causing especial difficulty to the Spanish defence, Puyol having definite issues at times but Casillas was at the top of his game and rarely looked challenged. At the other end, it was different with Stekelenburg being called on to make a number of saves. Momentum near the end of ordinary time rested with the Spanish but, despite the efforts of Iniesta, extra time was needed.

That momentum continued in extra time and the Spanish had a number of shots early on in extra time. When Heitinga was sent off for a crude foul on Iniesta, it just seemed to spur the Spanish on. Hopes of the "10-man miracle" occurring were snuffed out by Iniesta with a goal just minutes later and Spain won the game 1-0, becoming the first Spanish team to ever measure up to their individual promise.