World Cup Final: Spain Tops Dutch, 1-0
The 2010 FIFA World Cup crowned its champion Sunday when Spain scored a 1-0 win over Netherlands in extra time. Midfielder Andre Iniesta netted the game's only score in the 116th minute, and it was the fourth-straight 1-0 Spanish victory. For the Dutch, a third trip to the World Cup Final proved as frustrating as the first two. For those looking ahead, Chelsea starts its EPL defense in about a month.
Defense wins championships. Including the biggest one of them all.
Spain used a goal from midfielder Andres Iniesta late in extra time to edge Netherlands 1-0 to win its first World Cup title on Sunday at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, but it was its defense that carried it once again.
The Spaniards cashed as +115 moneyline chalk on the soccer betting odds board, while the match played ‘under’ the 2-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Spain controlled the ball and tempo against the Dutch, who had their chances in Sunday’s loss. Forward Arjen Robben was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the Final, but he was stymied on both a rare breakaway and a partial break in the second half.
Goalkeeper and team captain Iker Casillas was awarded the Golden Glove as the World Cup’s top netminder, and Spain backers have him and the players in front of him to thank for the historic triumph.
The Spaniards scored only eight goals in seven matches in South Africa. That’s the lowest total for any World Cup champion in history, and it’s not even close. The previous record low for a winning side was 11.
Spain cashed the World Cup as the pre-tourney favorite by holding possession and by keeping the ball out of the net. The Spaniards allowed only two goals in the tournament, while keeping possession for a World Cup-record 60.9% of the time.
Spain’s ability definitely drew frustration from the Oranje, who lost their third World Cup Final on Sunday. The Dutch connected on only 69% of their passes against the Spaniards, a World Cup low for them, and picked up eight yellow cards and one red card.
Iniesta was the hero on Sunday, but Spain relied heavily on striker David Villa for most of their offense throughout the tournament. Villa led La Roja with five goals in the World Cup, tying for the lead with Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder, Germany’s Thomas Mueller, and Uruguay’s Diego Forlan.
Mueller took home the Golden Boot as a huge underdog by virtue of his three assists, while Forlan was the recipient of the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player.
It was fitting Muller and Forlan grabbed the most prestigious individual hardware, given the Germans and Uruguayans were the biggest overachievers in South Africa.
Germany downed Uruguay 3-2 in an exciting third-place match on Saturday to finish in third place for the second straight World Cup. The Germans were a wild card heading into the tourney because of their young lineup, but they won Group D before thrashing England in the Second Round and Argentina in the Quarterfinals.
Forlan was the most dominant player in South Africa, with all due respect to the likes of Iniesta and Spain’s impressive midfield. With Brazil and Argentina fizzling out before it was expected, Uruguay held the torch for South America in a World Cup that saw a European country win it all outside Europe for the first time.
England never got it going in South Africa, but at least it’s fostered change in the international game. Because of Frank Lampard’s goal-that-didn’t-stand in the Three Lions’ loss to Germany, some degree of instant replay is sure to find its way into World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Don’t be surprised if UEFA trots out some replay for Euro 2012 qualifying, which begins next month, and ramps up with a full slate of matches on Labor Day weekend.
Reigning Euro and World Cup champion Spain headlines Group I with the Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, and Liechtenstein. The Spaniards are priced as huge -450 chalk to win the Group, while the Czechs (+450) and Scots (+1500) are the shortest pups.
If you need your soccer betting fix now, remember MLS is in full swing, although chances are you’re holding out for the English Premier League.
The Premiership kicks off on August 14, as Chelsea begins defense of its title against West Bromwich Albion. The Blues are -545 moneyline faves, with W.B.A. on the board at +1735.
Elsewhere on opening weekend, Liverpool is +165 chalk against Arsenal (+200), while Manchester United (-340) is favored against Newcastle United (+1215).
The 2010 FIFA World Cup crowned its champion Sunday when Spain scored a 1-0 win over Netherlands in extra time. Midfielder Andre Iniesta netted the game's only score in the 116th minute, and it was the fourth-straight 1-0 Spanish victory. For the Dutch, a third trip to the World Cup Final proved as frustrating as the first two. For those looking ahead, Chelsea starts its EPL defense in about a month.
Defense wins championships. Including the biggest one of them all.
Spain used a goal from midfielder Andres Iniesta late in extra time to edge Netherlands 1-0 to win its first World Cup title on Sunday at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, but it was its defense that carried it once again.
The Spaniards cashed as +115 moneyline chalk on the soccer betting odds board, while the match played ‘under’ the 2-goal total set by oddsmakers.
Spain controlled the ball and tempo against the Dutch, who had their chances in Sunday’s loss. Forward Arjen Robben was the most dangerous player on the pitch in the Final, but he was stymied on both a rare breakaway and a partial break in the second half.
Goalkeeper and team captain Iker Casillas was awarded the Golden Glove as the World Cup’s top netminder, and Spain backers have him and the players in front of him to thank for the historic triumph.
The Spaniards scored only eight goals in seven matches in South Africa. That’s the lowest total for any World Cup champion in history, and it’s not even close. The previous record low for a winning side was 11.
Spain cashed the World Cup as the pre-tourney favorite by holding possession and by keeping the ball out of the net. The Spaniards allowed only two goals in the tournament, while keeping possession for a World Cup-record 60.9% of the time.
Spain’s ability definitely drew frustration from the Oranje, who lost their third World Cup Final on Sunday. The Dutch connected on only 69% of their passes against the Spaniards, a World Cup low for them, and picked up eight yellow cards and one red card.
Iniesta was the hero on Sunday, but Spain relied heavily on striker David Villa for most of their offense throughout the tournament. Villa led La Roja with five goals in the World Cup, tying for the lead with Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder, Germany’s Thomas Mueller, and Uruguay’s Diego Forlan.
Mueller took home the Golden Boot as a huge underdog by virtue of his three assists, while Forlan was the recipient of the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player.
It was fitting Muller and Forlan grabbed the most prestigious individual hardware, given the Germans and Uruguayans were the biggest overachievers in South Africa.
Germany downed Uruguay 3-2 in an exciting third-place match on Saturday to finish in third place for the second straight World Cup. The Germans were a wild card heading into the tourney because of their young lineup, but they won Group D before thrashing England in the Second Round and Argentina in the Quarterfinals.
Forlan was the most dominant player in South Africa, with all due respect to the likes of Iniesta and Spain’s impressive midfield. With Brazil and Argentina fizzling out before it was expected, Uruguay held the torch for South America in a World Cup that saw a European country win it all outside Europe for the first time.
England never got it going in South Africa, but at least it’s fostered change in the international game. Because of Frank Lampard’s goal-that-didn’t-stand in the Three Lions’ loss to Germany, some degree of instant replay is sure to find its way into World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Don’t be surprised if UEFA trots out some replay for Euro 2012 qualifying, which begins next month, and ramps up with a full slate of matches on Labor Day weekend.
Reigning Euro and World Cup champion Spain headlines Group I with the Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, and Liechtenstein. The Spaniards are priced as huge -450 chalk to win the Group, while the Czechs (+450) and Scots (+1500) are the shortest pups.
If you need your soccer betting fix now, remember MLS is in full swing, although chances are you’re holding out for the English Premier League.
The Premiership kicks off on August 14, as Chelsea begins defense of its title against West Bromwich Albion. The Blues are -545 moneyline faves, with W.B.A. on the board at +1735.
Elsewhere on opening weekend, Liverpool is +165 chalk against Arsenal (+200), while Manchester United (-340) is favored against Newcastle United (+1215).