SOCCER ANALYSTSpain were lucky to edge a poor decider but in the end victory was deserved for the best side in the tournament

IT WASN’T one of their greatest displays but Spain won’t care too much this morning. In winning the 2010 World Cup final it was definitely a victory for the wonderful style they have brought to pitches around the world over the last three years. The best football team during that period are worthy world champions.

They were slightly fortunate on the night in the sense that the Dutch probably edged the most clear-cut chances in the Soccer City stadium but I can not bring myself to have too much sympathy for Holland on the basis of their overly physical, aggressive, tackling and the antics of some of their players with a whingeing Arjen Robben, a prime culprit.

Robben was his team’s biggest threat on the night but he could not capitalise on the two gilt-edged chances. The Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk deserves credit for the organisation and tactical acumen he brought in organising his team, especially with defenders, none of whom would be considered world class. Holland got pretty much the most out of what they had, personnel-wise in this tournament.

It is far better for the global game that the Spanish style is championed rather than the Dutch cynicism in the battle for young hearts and minds. It’s funny considering the frequent doubts expressed about the Spanish back four that the world champions did not concede a goal in their final four matches of the tournament.

Spain are not physically the biggest but every single outfield player is expected to get on the ball and contribute in a creative manner. Their philosophy, if not the manner of their victory last night, is what should be celebrated in acknowledging this triumph.

The Dutch signalled their intent from virtually the opening whistle with Robin van Persie, Mark van Bommel and captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst all committing fouls in the opening three minutes of the match. It was an unambiguous statement of intent that persisted throughout the opening half with Nigel De Jong’s assault on Xabi Alonso courting a potential red card rather than the yellow he received.

Van Bommel deserved his yellow card and given that he perpetrated a further two fouls he was leading something of a charmed existence, one that in tandem with De Jong was unlikely to see them be as reckless if they wanted to survive the 90 minutes. The Spanish players took every opportunity to point out the indiscretions to English referee Howard Webb.

Spain got into a good rhythm in the opening throes of the contest and nearly received the ideal start but Sergio Ramos’s header was well parried by Maarten Stekelenburg. Opportunities in the opening 45 minutes were at a premium and perhaps surprisingly two Spanish chances and one that fell to the Dutch were the product of set pieces: a free kick and two short corners.

Holland recovered from a slightly nervous opening and gradually worked their way into the final. They kept things narrow and tight in midfield with Robben and Dirk Kuyt squeezing in so as to deny the Spanish midfield the time and space to implement their traditional short passing game. It neutralised the threat pretty effectively.

Spanish defender Gerald Pique was often the free man left in possession at the back and he used it intelligently for the most part with some of his diagonal, long-range passing effective as a means of providing his team with possession further up the pitch. Dutch centre half Joris Mathijsen found himself with a similar task but was nowhere near as accurate. It might explain his fresh air in the Spanish box that constituted his team’s best chance up to the interval.

Holland couldn’t really find their rhythm in possession and were largely reduced to the long ball from the back or at times goalkeeper Stekelenburg.

Both teams were more effective without the ball. Xavi and Iniesta found that opportunities were at a premium because the Dutch full backs tucked in and they couldn’t find the space to play David Villa in; on a few occasions the Spanish striker went a little early while one or two passes were over-hit.

Wesley Sneijder wasn’t really a factor going forward but in a defensively capacity he worked hard with the rest of the Dutch midfield. The one player to really trouble Spain in the opening half was Robben, a portent of things to come. Alonso went to help Joan Capdevila in an effort to double-team Holland’s most dangerous player.

Sergio Busquets worked hard to break up the sporadic Dutch attacks when they did get the ball down and try and play through the Spaniards.

There was a little more space in the second half but the match retained its scrappy veneer, which was disappointing for the neutral. The niggily exchanges continued and Spain contributed their fair share of bad tackles and deliberate fouls.

The Spanish were limited to flashes of real quality and it was impossible not to admire the organisation and work ethic of the Dutch who continued to harass and close down opponents who once again dominated the possession stakes. They always looked threatening on the break, primarily because of the pace in attack, and Iker Casillas did superbly to twice deny Robben.

Stekelenburg was equally adept at the other end of the pitch in denying Villa while Ramos should have scored given his free header from six yards out.

Spain stuck to their gameplan in getting the ball down and trying to play their normal patterns but they looked a little tired which is hardly surprising given the players’ commitment through the last three summers, taking in the European Championships, the Confederations Cup and now the World Cup.

The absence of an in-form Fernando Torres – he would come on for the second half of extra time – curtailed Spain’s attacking gambits a little. Villa is more effective coming in from the flank whereas Torres, at his best, provides that focal point and outlet for the creative Spanish midfielders.

The introduction of Cesc Fabregas gave Spain fresh guile and craft and the Arsenal midfielder could have put his side in front early in extra time but the excellent Stekelenburg denied him with his feet. The European champions also had a decent shout for a penalty when Villa appeared to be tripped in the box but Webb thought otherwise.

As the players tired the final became a looser affair. Holland lost Johnny Heitinga to a red card and then Fabregas’s vision and beautifully weighted pass to Iniesta finally broke the deadlock with four minutes of extra time remaining. It was fitting that the little midfielder should apply the coup de grace.

It might not have been the best final in the history of the World Cup but given that Spain had never won the trophy, for them beauty will definitely be in the eye of the beholder.

Highs And Lows: Brian Kerr's Best And Worst Of World Cup 2010

The Flops

Nike. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo: The lasting memory of this pair at the 2010 World Cup will be their inability to cope with a handheld camera floating under their nose. Rooney moaned to the English nation about his own fans, while Ronaldo just spat like a spoilt little child. At least Carlos Tevez and Kaka showed enough glimpses of their brilliance to be forgiven. Didier Drogba was injured.

The Annoying

The Ball:It ruined a few early games. It was a bad decision as it forced players to alter their approach. It probably had an impact on the number of goals scored. Only the Japanese could tame the Jabulani from free-kicks.

The vuvuzela: It soured the natural atmosphere of a football match. The drone just got louder for goals when we should have been hearing the crowd.

Surprise packages

New Zealand drawing three times. 1-1 with Italy was remarkable and they possibly deserved more for their endeavour.

England's horrid display against Algeria. Let's be honest: your guess is as good as mine.

Disappointments

Italy: You think they would've perfected the slow starting routine by now. Like England, deep rooted problems were apparent.

The African nations (besides Ghana). They had four years to prepare for a World Cup on their own turf yet they were still guilty of last-minute coaching appointments. We saw how South Korea and Japan seized the opportunity in 2002 – they will never have it so good again.

Moments of Joy

Diego Forlan: A world star and further indictment of the English Premiership flaws.

The sight of Arjen Robben sprinting after a miraculous hamstring recovery.

Andrés Iniesta and Xavi using this summer's World Cup as their playground.