Monday, July 12, 2010

World Cup Final Round Wrap-Up

Netherlands 0-1 Spain AET
15' NED Van Persie (YC)
17' ESP Puyol (YC)
22' Van Bommel (YC)
23' ESP Ramos (YC)
28' NED de Jong (YC)
54' NED Van Bronckhorst (YC)
57' NED Heitinga (YC)
67' ESP Capdevila (YC)
84' NED Robben (YC)
109' NED Heitinga (RC)
111' NED Van der Wiel (YC)
116' ESP Iniesta (0-1)
117' NED Mathijsen (YC)
118' ESP Iniesta (YC)
120+1' ESP Xavi (YC)
By far the most yellow cards in a world cup final, this was not a pretty game. Entertaining at points, but too violent for my tastes. While there were some very physical challenges, Howard Webb didn't get them all right, including not showing straight red to Nigel de Jong who dug his cleat into Xabi Alonso's chest, and not booking Heitinga for a challenge on Iniesta until after the Spanish bench had complained. All in all, it was a goalkeeper's day. While real chances were few and far between, each time had multiple one-on-one breakaways, and each time Iker Casillas and Martin Stekelenburg rose to the occasion. La Roja dominated possession, but defending in numbers, the Dutch were comfortable relying on Robben's speed on the counterattack, which almost worked, since Carles Puyol was having an awful game, and was finally beginning to show his age. There was also a lot of diving, with Robben, Xavi, and Iniesta doing their best Ronaldo impressions.
NED Verdict: A strong showing offensively and defensively, but the Dutch reputation will be tarnished because of their violent physical performance. They came for blood and got it. They also got the loss. Sneijder, who had dictated so much play, was largely invisible for the match, but it was clear Oranje's plan of attack went through Robben.
ESP Verdict: It wasn't pretty, but the better team won tonight. With their one touch passing and ability to make the best of broken plays, La Furia won it late again.
Man of the Match: Iker Casillas (ESP)

Uruguay 2-3 Germany
5' GER Aogo (YC)
7' GER Cacau (YC)
19' GER Muller (0-1)
28' URU Cavani (1-1)
51' URU Forlan (2-1)
56' GER Jansen (2-2)
61' URU Perez (YC)
82' GER Khedira (2-3)
90+2' GER Friedrich (YC)
Though the defenses might have looked a little shaky at times, but both teams really showed what they are capable of offensively.
GER Verdict: Not the promising display we've seen from Germany's wunderkind, but they showed their resiliance and got a little bit of luck. Germany will most likely enter the 2014, if not 2018 as well, world cups as outright favorites.
URU Verdict: The best team Uruguay has fielded since winning their two world cups, we've most likely seen Diego Forlan's final world cup, and what a ride it has been for him. It was nice to see Uruguay not in a state of trying to defend for 90 minutes, and almost came close to forcing extra time on a Forlan free kick that rattled the post.
Man of the Match: Diego Forlan (URU)

Awards:
Golden Boot: Thomas Muller (GER)
Golden Ball: Diego Forlan (URU)
Silver Ball: Wesley Sneijder (NED)
Bronze Ball: David Villa (ESP)
Golden Glove: Iker Casillas (ESP)
Best Young Player: Thomas Muller (GER)

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