Spain are the 2010 FIFA World Cup CHAMPIONS. Andres Iniesta’s goal on the 116th minute saved the day!!
View the match result here —
Match & Result: Netherlands vs Spain (11 Jul 2010)
Pre-game: Netherlands vs Spain (11 Jul 2010)
Winner: SPAIN
Score: Netherlands(0) vs Spain(1)
116′ INIESTA (SPAIN)
Recap
Spain jumped on the gun early on the first half as Xavi’s cross on the 6th minute clearly found its target but Netherlands goalkeeper was quick on a save. Two minutes later, Spain had a breakaway and shot another one towards the goal but Netherlands goalkeeper was there to save the day. Three minutes after Spain’s breakaway, Pedro had a chance to score but was deflected by Netherlands defenders. It could have been a score for Spain. On the 12th minute Spain had another chance but Xavi Alonso shot towards the net.
Netherlands started to rough it up as they got the first yellow card of the game via Van Persie on the 15th minute. Spain’s Puyol returned the favor on the 17th minute with a tackle on Robben. Netherlands had their first look at the goal via Sneijder who had an ambitious free-kick from afar towards the goal which was cleared by Spain’s Ike Casillas.
Both teams started to play rough football as players were starting to see more bookings, more tackles made, more free-kicks conceded. Both these teams are playing it tight.
On the 44th minute both teams increased the speed of the game as attacks and counterattacks were quickly seen as both teams were looking to score before half-time.
Netherlands had the last best chance to score as Arjen Robben unloads from the center box but Ike Casillas dives and makes a great save.
When the second half came we have seen Netherlands signs of urgency as they controlled possession alongside Spain. Instead of just defending cautiously, the dutchmen ran the field like crazy but Spain just kept their composure.
Arjen Robben had two breakaway chances by Ike Casillas was phenomenal running towards the box and blocking the goal.
Jesus Navas came in for Spain as well as Cesc Fabregas who despite being young did not commit mistakes and had flashes of brilliance on a shot on goal.
Iniesta and Sneijder went at each other as well as the rest of the players on the field but Howard Webb was letting these men play the game.
The game went into extra time and the first fifteen minutes ended still without a goal. Fernando Torres came in the second half who looked liked to be the saviour to score a goal similar to what he did as they won the European championship in 2008.
Just two minutes away for penalty game, Andres Iniesta had a breakaway as he punched in one goal for Spain. Everyone knows from that point onwards that they would win this tournament. Ike Casillas, Spanish goalkeeper, was already in tears.
Key Takeaway
This was a very tight game as both teams had chances to score in the first half but both kept their scorecards clean. This game were played aggressively but carefully.
A very long game as it went into extra time and two minutes before penalty kick, Andres Iniesta scores a goal for Spain. Congratulations to SPAIN.
You can view all game videos here — Videos: Netherlands vs Spain (11 Jul 2010)
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Winner: Germany
Score: Uruguay(2) vs Germany(3)
82′ Sami Khedira (Germany)
56′ Marcell Jansen (Germany)
51′ Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
28′ Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
19′ Thomas Mueller (Germany)
Recap
This was a great game to watch as five goals were scored. Both teams played hard, aggressive on attack, strong on defense. The game showed both teams moving on from their loss towards the finals and were fighting to win the third place.
Key Takeaway
Germany has won two successive third place awards in the last two FIFA World Cup and being the third young team in the competition shows this team prime for a win in 2014.
You can view all game videos here — Videos: Uruguay vs Germany (10 Jul 2010)
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Winner: Spain
Score: Germany(0) vs Spain(1)
73′ Puyol (Spain)
Recap
This was a strong game for both teams cancelling their attacking game plan and exchange of possessions happen so often throughout the game. In the end, one goal from Spain separated them.
Spain has won a number of games with one goal and this game was no different.
Key Takeaway
Spain is the European champions and they came to the tournament as the favorites. This team did not disappoint and their first trip to the finals can earn them their first FIFA World Cup title.
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Winner: Spain
Score: Paraguay(0) vs Spain(1)
83′ David Villa (Spain)
Recap
That was a gritty game where both sides where pushing towards the semi-finals. Spain was relentless on their attack, setting up plays, pushing the ball, creating opportunities. Paraguay was stubborn, defending extremely well, getting solid wall defenses in the face of Spain.
The stone wall defense of Paraguay eventually gave in to David Villa who scored the goal on the 83rd minute which sent the Spaniards to the semi-finals.
Key Takeaway
This was an outstanding game but in the end Spain are moving to the semi-finals. This now set Spain for an epic and gigantic battle against Germany. That should be the game to watch.
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Winner: Germany
Score: Argentina(0) vs Germany(4)
74′ Friedrich (Germany)
68′, 89′ Klose (Germany)
03′ Muller (Germany)
Recap
What was supposed to be an epic game proved too much for Lionel Messi and Argentina as they got demolished by Germany. Germany is the third youngest team next to Korea DPR and Ghana but their youth certainly paid off as they run wild on the field as Argentina could not keep up with the pace losing by four big goals.
This is perhaps the biggest loss Argentina has suffered against Germany and this is a repeat of the 2006 quarter finals loss to the same team.
Key Takeaway
Germany was a strong team going into the tournament but today they are legit contenders on winning the FIFA World Cup Finals which they last won 20 years ago in 1990.
This young team was expected to gain experience in this tournament and become contenders in 2014 but it seems the time of Germany is this year.
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Winner: [to be updated after game]
Score: Netherlands(2) vs Brazil(1)
68′ Sneijder (Netherlands)
53′ Melo (Netherlands)
10′ Robinho (Brazil)
Recap
This is a hurt breaker as Brazil got eliminated by Netherlands. Brazil is ranked number 1 in FIFA and they were expected to win this year and not get eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Brazil scored a goal quickly on the 10th minute via a breakaway by Robinho. That goal proved to be the final score by Brazil.
Netherlands would not go away and they got their equalizer on the 53rd minute on a huge error by Julio Ceasar, goalkeeper of Brazil. The goalkeeper went ahead and charged to the ball where he hit on a collision with fellow Brazilian.
Sneijder got a goal via a header pass from fellow dutchman who got the ball via a free kick from Arjen Robben. That was a beautiful goal which freezed Julio Ceasar on his tracks.
Netherlands played aggressively even when they got the lead were Brazilian Melo lost his temper and was sent off with a red card.
I think that was a stupid move, the Finals is in the line and this guy losing it at the biggest stage in the world was unacceptable.
Key Takeaway
This was a historic upset and Brazil bowing out after leading most of the way via the goal of Robinho. The Brazilian squad never showed urgency until Netherlands scored the second goal from which Brazil attacked aggressively but Netherlands just wouldn’t move an inch. These guys stayed with the five time champions every step of the way.
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Winner: Argentina
Score: Argentina(3) vs Mexico(1)
71′ Hernandez
26′, 52′ Tevez
33′ Higuain
Recap
Argentina was fluid in their offense and plays anchored on Lionel Messi. They are showing how fluid they can get on the field and Mexico was young enough to run with Argentina but they didn’t have the experience to keep up.
Argentina scored three goals to one via Tevez with two goals and Higuain who had a hat trick in the group stage.
Key Takeaway
Argentina is coming along just well and their consistency will shine and get them deeper in the tournament. They would be playing against Germany in the quarterfinals and they are expecting to eliminate Germany again.
You can view all game videos here — Videos: Argentina vs Mexico (21 Jun 2010)
The latest group standing is found here — Latest FIFA World Cup Standing as of 21 Jun 2010
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Winner: [to be updated after game]
Score: Germany(3) vs England(1)
20′ Klose (Germany)
32′ Podolski (Germany)
37′ Upson (England)
67′ Mueller (Germany)
70′ Mueller (Germany)
Recap
Germany had the legs to push the ball, setup plays, run the entire field throughout the game and defend every attack and counterattack by England.
England looked tired, a step behind and out of synch on the offensive attack by Germany.
As a result, Germany destroyed England with 4 goals to 1.
Key Takeaway
Germany still had the last hooray for Klose, the veteran player of Germany who won the Adidas Golden Boot back in 2006. Their younger guns in Podolski and Mueller have shined in this year’s tournament.
England on the other hand have aging players and for most of them this is the last FIFA World Cup we are going to see them at their best.
You can view all game videos here — Videos: Germany vs England (21 Jun 2010)
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Winner: Ghana
Score: USA(1) vs Ghana(2)
5′ Boateng (Ghana)
62′ Donovan (USA)
93′ Gyan (Ghana)
Recap
USA just run out of gas on their run in FIFA World Cup 2010 bowing out to the last South African team standing.
Ghana quickly scored on the 5th minute on a defense breakdown by USA on the midfield. It took USA another 57 minutes before they were able to tie the game via Donovan.
The game looked to finish with 1 goals a piece when Gyan, the best South African player left in the final scored on the 93rd minute to put USA away.
Key Takeaway
USA has gotten stronger throughout each FIFA World Cup but today they learned they still have a lot to learn as you go deeper in the tournament. A defensive breakdown anywhere during the 90 minute game is going to cost you.
Ghana still kept the hopes of South Africa alive and with the nation backing them up, this team could go deeper into the finals.
You can view all game videos here — Videos: USA vs Ghana (21 Jun 2010)
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