2010 FIFA World Cup: Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world

2010 FIFA World Cup: Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.

The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Andres Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their 4th successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup Trophy and also the 1st European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who lost defender John Heitinga to a red card in extra time, there is only the heartache of another tale of what might have been after they completed a hat-trick of Final losses.

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2010 FIFA World Cup: Match 64 - Final - 11 July

2010 FIFA World Cup : How The Dutch Can Take Down Spain

2010 FIFA World Cup : Many teams, such as the United States in the Confederations Cup, and Switzerland in the group stages of the FIFA World Cup, have given the world a blueprint on how to beat Spain.

The Netherlands certainly have the right players and play with the right kind of formation to take down the mighty Spaniards.

It is significant that the Dutch don't get dragged into trying to out-possess La Furia Roja. Though they have very skilled players, the Dutch will open too many lanes across the field.

The Spanish are masterful at attacking after forcing a turnover. They have a master orchestrator running the midfield in Xavi, and David Villa up top is outstanding at finding the holes in a defense and has a knack for putting the ball on target.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : Netherlands Vs. Uruguay

2010 FIFA World Cup: The Netherlands are through to the Final of South Africa 2010 after seeing off Uruguay 3-2 in an incident-packed semi-final at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : FIFA World Cup power rankings -- semifinal edition

1. Germany -- Yowza. They have scored 4 goals in 3 different games already, including twice in the knockout round (vs. England and Argentina, no less). Have been in a class of their own and a treat to watch. I severely underrated them but not picking them to win Group D, however I guess they didn't run away with it in the 1st round. How they play as a team is incredible. They are always willing to make that final pass to set up a teammate. A true collective.

2. Netherlands -- The uber-productive midfielder Wesley Sneijder might be the World Cup MVP of the tournament until now, in my opinion. And now that Arjen Robben is healthy (when he stays on his feet), they definitely have a higher ceiling than before. The defense and goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg have definitely exceeded expectations. Can't let down vs. Uruguay after beating Brazil, can they?

3. Spain -- My pick to win it is still alive, which is more than some prognosticators can say. Sadly La Furia Roja hasn't looked hardly dominant. Fernando Torres is the scapegoat, but he does appear to have thrown things out of whack and fellow forward David Villa has made up for it and is another FIFA World Cup MVP nominee. Still have the pedigree to make a run, especially with that overwhelming Xavi and Iniesta combo in the middle.

4. Uruguay -- What a great run for the small country. Survived by the skin of their teeth in the quarterfinal vs. Ghana due to that infamous/notorious/genius/despicable intentional handball by Luis Suarez. Attack mate Diego Forlan -- who also could be a FIFA World Cup MVP -- has put the team on his back. They won't be intimidated of the Oranje, I don't think.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Match 61 - 6 July Semi-finals Uruguay Vs. Netherlands

2010 FIFA World Cup :Dutch fightback buries Brazil

2010 FIFA World Cup : The Netherlands came from behind to break Brazilian hearts and take a huge step towards a 3rd FIFA World Cup final appearance. Trailing at half-time to Robinho's early goal in Port Elizabeth, Bert van Marwijk's men drew level through Felipe Melo's own goal before Wesley Sneijder headed the winner with 22 minutes remaining. Brazil ended the game a man short after Felipe Melo's dismissal as, like in Germany 4 years ago, the South Americans, unbeaten since last October, saw their dream of a 6th world crown dismantled at the quarter-final stage.

For the Dutch, this was their 4th straight win at these finals and leaves them one victory short of a 1st Final appearance since they finished runners-up twice in the 1970s. They will travel to Tuesday's Cape Town semi-final vs. Uruguay or Ghana as favourites despite the suspensions of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong. History will be on their side too, given the winners of their 3 previous FIFA World Cup meetings with Brazil marched on to the Final each time.

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2010 FIFA World Cup : Netherlands Vs. Brazil

2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil and the Netherlands, both deploying a deadly brand of counter-attacking football, are set to go head-to-head in today's quarter-finals.

Here is the squad list for Netherlands and Brazil.

2010 FIFA World Cup : Top 8 teams to compete

2010 FIFA World Cup: Match highlights - Netherlands VS. Slovakia

2010 FIFA World Cup: Arjen Robben led the way for the Netherlands as they beat Slovakia 2-1 in Durban on Monday to book a quarter-final date with Brazil.