Thaindian News

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (BNO NEWS) — Spain beat out the Netherlands to win the FIFA 2010 World Cup after Andrés Iniesta scored a goal during the second period of overtime.

Iker Casillas, captain of the Spanish national soccer team, kissed and raised the coveted World Cup trophy, celebrating Spain’s first ever FIFA World Cup championship. A packed Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa cheered as an elaborate fireworks celebration closed the World Cup tournament.

Inesta’s lonely goal opened the match’s scoreboard 116 minutes into the game, just four minutes before the end of the second overtime period, which would have led to what seemed an imminent a penalty shout-out.

Spain was able to slightly dominate ball possession, and even though both teams showed sparks of talent during moments, the overall match was constantly paused and characterized by rough play. Eight out of the eleven starters for the Netherlands’ national team received a yellow card, and defender John Heitinga got shown a red card after his second yellow at the 109th minute. The Spanish team received a total of five yellow cards during the match.

At minute 28, Netherlands’ midfielder De Jong aggressively challenged Alonso, committing a strong foul by kicking Alonso straight in the chest. A red card might have been appropriate, but the referee only warned him with a yellow.

In the first half, Spain began the match by creating two dangerous attacks. At the five minute mark, defender Sergio Ramos headed the ball, but the Netherlands’ goalkeeper, Stekelenburg, accurately defended, and at minute 12, David Villa volleyed a ball from Alonso, who crossed the ball powerfully. The ball hits the side-netting.

However, no team was able to open the scoreboard, and the clearest goal opportunity came at the 62nd minute when Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder filtered a ball into Arjen Robben’s feet, leading to a one-on-one against Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The opening goal seemed to approach, but in a split-second reaction, Casillas amazingly stopped Robben’s attack, showing great poise at a defining moment.

Spain continued to dominate the pace of the game, but despite having offensive opportunities, the match went into overtime after a scoreless regulation period ended. It was then that the Netherlands was left with 10 men on the field after Heitinga’s red card, and Iniesta’s historic goal, coming from pass by Cesc Fabregas, gave Spain its first World Cup championship.

The tournament ended with four players sharing the post as the World Cup’s top scorer. David Villa of Spain and Wesley Seijder of the Netherlands were unable to score during the final match, and along with Diego Forlan of Uruguay and Thomas Muller from Germany, the players ended up with five goals each.

Spain’s victory in South Africa marks the first time a European national team wins the FIFA World Cup outside of their continent, and the second time a reigning UEFA European champion becomes World Cup champion, Germany being the first in 1974.