Date : 11-07-2010
Game Start Time : 20:30
Venue: Johannesburg
It all comes down to this match. Over 200 countries entered qualifying, 32 made it South Africa, and on July 11th, 2010, 2 remain. The 2010 World Cup Final will be the biggest, most watched match in sports. One team will become world champion, a title they will hold for four years. Will we see a final ruled by controversy, as we did in 2006? Will it be a cagey affair, or will we see a back and forth match like the one in 1986, when Argentina beat West Germany 3-2? Here are all of the important details on the World Cup final:
here: Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
When: July 11, 2010 at 8:30pm local time (2:30pm EST)
Who: Netherlands vs. Spain
MATCH PREVIEW
The general consensus is that Spain has played the better football in this World Cup 2010, while the Netherlands has been more effective. Spain maintains possession and passes, passes, passes, which has so far been enough to dominate games and find just enough goals to win (except against Switzerland in the opening group game, which shows what can go wrong with Spain’s approach). The Netherlands has protected it’s weak(ish) back four with two defensive midfielders and a lot hard work from the full XI, while relying on their all star attacking talents (and a wee bit of luck) to win every single game they’ve played so far.
Let’s get player specific. Spain’s dominance revolves around Xavi and Anres Iniesta. Xavi is like a valve controlling the flow of the game, and if he doesn’t find a hole in your defence to pass through then Iniesta will. If the two combine at the top of the box then say good night. On the end of all this is David Villa, who has five World Cup goals so far. Villa has been his usual deadly self, but long term striker partner Fernando Torres has not, and one of the big questions for Spain is whether they start with Torres and Villa up front, or just Villa and a five man midfield.
The key players for the Netherlands have arguably been defensive midfield duo Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel. The latter can play a bit too, and also has an uncanny knack of tackling tough without getting booked. Not everyone enjoys seeing it, but that’s a skill right there. Further forward, attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder hasn’t quite bossed games in the manner of Xavi, but has proven time and again that he’ll deliver when needed. Whether it’s a perfect pass to the ever dangerous Arjen Robben, a long range strike or even a header from a corner. Sneijder is your man, and he’s currently level with Villa on five World Cup goals.
KEY MATCHUPS
David Villa vs Johnny Heitinga/Joris Mathijsen
Whether Villa has a strike partner or not, the World Cup final could very well turn on how well the Ducth defenders handle him.
Xavi & Iniesta vs Nigel de Jong & Mark van Bommel
Essentially Spain’s creators vs the Dutch destroyers. Will Xavi be able to dictate the game with MvB in his face?
Wesley Sneijder vs Sergio Busquets
The tactics obsessed website Zonal Marking did a good job explaining Busquet’s expertise in the defensive midfield role in terms of positioning and spatial awareness. Remains to be seen whether that’s enough to close down the threat posed by Sneijder.
Arjen Robben vs Joan Capdevila
Spanish leftback Capdevila is not a bad footballer. But if you had to pick a weak link in this team, then he’s probably the name you’d circle. Robben is arguably the Netherland’s most dangerous player and certainly the most explosive. Best of luck Joan.
Robin van Persie vs Carles Puyol/Gerard Pique
RvP has struggled to impose himself on World Cup 2010, but has contributed just enough in the lone striker role to help teammates like Sneijder take the glory. Puyol and Pique have been monsters at the back and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see one or both of them eat RvP alive. if we’re talking literally then my money would be on Puyol.
FURTHER READING
Jan at the Netherlands blog has plenty to sink your eyes into, including Six Reasons Why Oranje Will Win the World Cup, and the collected thoughts of various players past and present.
Corey at the Spain blog has a well thought out World Cup final preview assessing the Dutch threat and pondering potential Spanish lineups.
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