Netherlands 0 - 1 Spain
Iniesta!!! Iniesta!!! Iniesta!!! Described by teammate Xavi as "Spain's most complete player," the unassuming 5'7" midfielder pulled the sword from the stone today with a clean strike into the net, in the 116th minute, winning the World Cup for Spain for the first time in the country's history, and, no doubt, putting the iniesta in fiesta for the next four years.
It was a laborious, protracted battle with yellow cards scattered on both sides, though it is the Dutch who will be remembered for its overall surliness and ugly transgressions on the field. The most sour moment for the not-so-bright orange was a flying chest kick committed by Nigel De Jong against Xabi Alonso that was beyond a red-card. Though De Jong should be expelled from professional soccer for a move like that, he skipped off with a shasta-daisy of a yellow card. Alonso, meanwhile, pressed on, despite the injury, a la Tim Howard.
Spain's patron saint of soccer, the mighty Iker Casillas, was in full-form, keeping the ugly orcs from storming the castle at all costs. He defended the goal with total focus and inhibition: blocking, punching, and oftentimes throwing his entire body onto the ball as if it were a grenade.
No one but Casillas better personifies the greatness of this Spanish team. It was not an easy start for the La Roja captain, having been crucified by the Spanish press for the team's loss against Switzerland in the early rounds of this tournament, but, Casillas stood up to the pressure and led his team to what would eventually play out like a destiny written in the stars.
Viva Espagna! WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS of 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And the World Cup trophy wasn't the only recipient of a kiss from Spain's dashing squad captain. Given all they've suffered in this tournament, I'd say things ended pretty nicely for these two stunning, starry-eyed lovers.
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