World Cup Game #64 (delayed coverage)
Jul. 18th, 2010 10:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
catalyst2The 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.
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.
