Spain end long wait for football’s Holy Grail

JOHANNESBURG - Viva Espania! Spain crowned their meteoric rise to football grandeur Sunday by lifting the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.

Andres Iniesta netted the winning goal in the second period of extra-time as Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 at Soccer City to become the eighth world champion in World Cup history joining Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, England and France.

There was no sign, however, of the dazzling display of close passing and team spirit that enabled “La Roja” clinch the European championship crown two years ago.

Instead Vicente del Bosque’s side prevailed in an ill-tempered affair that saw 14 players booked and Holland’s John Heitinga sent off.

The unheralded number of cards set an unwanted record for a World Cup final but that didn’t bother Spain captain Iker Casillas as he received the World Cup trophy from FIFA head Joseph Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma.

The victory sees Spain become the first team after Germany (1972/74) to achieve the feat of adding a world crown to a European title, although France did manage the achievement in reverse order when winning the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2000.

Things did not look good for Spain after they lost their opening group match 1-0 to Switzerland.

Del Bosque’s squad struggled in South Africa to find the rhythm they showed in Euro 2008, but impressed with coolness and self- confidence in extricating themselves from tricky situations.

The mastery they displayed in their three 1-0 knock-out stage victories over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany showed just what a classy team they are.

Even the lack of form shown by star striker Fernando Torres did not knock them out of their stride. The Liverpool forward was easily compensated for by the gala performance of David Villa.

The heart of the team in South Africa was the midfield trio of Barcelona players Xavi, match-winner Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

It was in defence where the trophy was really won, however, as goalkeeper Casillas, supported by central-defensive Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique conceded just two goals all tournament.

Long-considered a team of also-rans, Spain’s “golden generation” have dominated world football since their Euro championship triumph.

Del Bosque, who twice won the Champions League with Real Madrid, took over the squad from Luis Aragones in the autumn of 2008, but kept his predecessor’s tactics.

This involved keeping possession, controlling the game, being patient and remaining cool in finishing off moves.

Spain kept faith with this style throughout qualifying for South Africa and won all 10 of their matches. Indeed, La Roja have lost only twice since November 15, 2006.

The team’s progress to World Cup glory has helped bridge the distance between Basques and Catalans and led many in the ethnically diverse nation to look above regional differences and cheer in unison.

Even the economic crisis which has hit Spain hard and led to a dramatic increase in the number of people losing their jobs has been pushed to the background - at least temporarily.

“Spain is simply the best team in the world at present,” gushed German football icon Franz Beckenbauer. Beautiful and creative football has at last paid dividends.