Dirty Dutch got just deserts

The World Cup Final kicked off at Soccer City in Johannesburg in front of more than 84,000 excitable spectators with the cultured tones of Shakira and 11 mechanical elephants amid spectacular fireworks.

Referee Howard Webb of England led the Netherlands, skippered by Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Spain, captained by Iker Casillas, out on to the pitch past the World Cup trophy, giving both sides a glimpse of a prize that neither nation had previously won.

However, this was where all pleasantries were left behind. The World Cup tournament that started with the arrest of 36 orange-clad women for ambush marketing should have finished with the arrest of 11 orange-clad men for assault and battery.

Holland, having never won the trophy, were famed for their team of the 70s and the 'total football' produced, reduced this final into one of total thuggery.

Paul, the Psychic Octopus, had clearly seen red and yellow in advance of the match, picking the Spanish flag.

He could equally have been selecting the referee for this was a match that surpassed all other finals for the record of cards shown, most of which were well deserved. In fact, he did well to keep all the players on the pitch in normal time.

The Dutch posed a physical and technical challenge - at best their approach could be called obdurate. At worst, brutal.

Dutch pass-master Johann Cruyff must have shuddered at the tactics employed by his home nation, although secretly delighted by the technical excellence displayed by his adopted home, Spain.

The first real chance came in the fifth minute when Xavi whipped in a free kick on to the head of Ramos who brought an excellent save from Maaretn Stekelenburg.

Those who hoped this may be a precursor to an open, flowing game between two of the games best technical artists, were bitterly disappointed. The match dissolved into a niggly, turgid affair.

The Spanish always tried to maintain their momentum with their pass-and-move style and stretch the opposition defence, yet without necessarily finding their best rhythm. However, the well-organised Dutch barricades were equal to the task, although promptly proceeded to give the ball back to the Spanish.

The worst of a large selection of bad tackles came when Nigel de Jong thrust his studs into the chest of Xabi Alonso in an incident that will be replayed for many years.

The Spanish were no angels, particularly when Ramos sent Kuyt tumbling to the earth.

The Dutch had a chance to take the lead before half time when a horrible bounce nearly deceived Iker Casillas, who just managed to touch it behind.

In the second half football briefly reared its beautiful head when Pedro, preferred to Torres, shimmied forward, only to place his shot wide.

The Dutch reverted to foul means rather than fair.

The previously anonymous Sneijder made sure the watching crowd knew of his presence by planting his studs into the thigh of Busquet's, while Dirk Kuyt tried to rip the shirt off Pique's back at a corner, rather than waiting to swap shirts more amicably afterwards.

The best opportunity of the match came in the 62nd minute when Wesley Sneijder slipped through Arjen Robben. Running clear of the defence he picked his spot only to see the alert and on-rushing Iker Casillas make a magnificent save.

Shortly afterwards, Robin van Persie headed over in a rare spell of Dutch dominance. Both sides had rare chances to win the match in normal time, yet failed.

Extra time started with the Spanish bench furious that Howard Webb turned down a penalty appeal, although television replays suggested he was right to award a corner. Spanish substitutes Jesus Navas and Cesc Fabregas both spurned chances. It was only a matter of time, particularly after Heitinga received a red card for a second bookable offence.

In the 116th minute, Fernando Torres received the ball on the left and clipped a cross into the area. It was only half-cleared to Cesc Fabregas who slid the ball to Andres Iniesta. The Barcelona midfield maestro controlled the ball before volleying past the Dutch keeper, sparking scenes of delirious celebration among the Spanish fans and players alike.

The Spanish needed to compose themselves and hold out against the 10-man Dutch, who by then had little left to offer.

The scenes following the final whistle should be remembered for the jubilant celebrations of a technically skilled team of Spanish magicians. However, it may be the memory of Mark van Bommel hounding referee Howard Webb that lives longest.

In reality, it was a terrible match that Howard Webb had done well to control. Never mind the quality, feel the justice - the Spanish are worthy champions and now hold both the European and World titles. Spanish keeper and captain, Iker Casillas, was unable to control his emotions as he lifted the trophy.

While the match itself failed to live up to expectations, this tournament, the first to be held on African soil, has been a huge success.

The South African team has delivered on its promises to use this World Cup to improve the country's economy and transport infrastructure, while also promoting social unity.

Where do they go from here? They are already talking about the Olympics!

From the sidelines

ON the pitch at the World Cup all the pre-match talk was about the newly-designed Jabluani ball and its performance. What manufacturer Adidas and governing body FIFA claimed to be the most perfect ball ever invented was roundly slated by players and managers.

NASA's aerodynamics department at the Ames Investigation Centre stepped in to investigate the performance of the 440g ball at altitude. They found that at speeds exceeding 44mph the Jabulani is susceptible to the "knuckle effect" which effectively means it swerves all over due to the air flow on the seams. Does this mean that footballers are as clever as NASA's aerodynamic scientists?

ENGLISH fans still licking their wounds from an early exit can take solace from the appearance of three Englishmen in the World Cup Final. Howard Webb, the 38-year-old referee, and his two linesmen became the first Englishmen to take charge of the final since Jack Taylor in 1974.

ON return to the Premier League he may have to re-read the rule book. Having earlier ruled that it would be banned, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has now agreed to review the use of goal-line technology following the controversial failure to award a goal to Frank Lampard when his shot clearly crossed the line at a crucial time of England's match against Germany.

Dozens of firms have pitched ideas to FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game's rule-makers, over the years. Ironically the firm that is leading the way is a German company, Cairos that has worked with Adidas to fit a microchip inside any ball. Using magnetic fields around the goal an instant message would be sent to the referee confirming whether the ball had crossed the line or not.

GAINING membership to dating website Beautifulpeople.com depends on looks and applicants are only allowed in if they are considered to be attractive enough.

This aesthetically based website surveyed its members during the World Cup to ascertain which footballers are the best looking.

The Spanish and American teams ranked highly although Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro came on top above Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo. At the bottom end many will not be surprised to find Peter Crouch.

Once famously asked what he would be if he were not a professional footballer he replied "a virgin". However, he was beaten to the title of ugliest footballer on the planet by England colleague Wayne Rooney.

Fact file

New Zealand were the only team to remain unbeaten throughout their World Cup campaign.

Lowest number of goals scored in the group stages of a World Cup Final - ever.

Germany's Thomas Mueller won the Golden Shoe award for top scorer, finishing on five goals but winning by virtue of his three assists.

Uruguay's Diego Forlan has been named the best player of the 2010 World Cup, taking home the Golden Ball in the process.

Spain have won the World Cup with eight goals, the fewest by three after Brazil in 1994 and England in 1966. Three men bagged for La Roja - David Villa with five, Andres Iniesta with a brace and Carles Puyol with one.

Netherlands line-up in a classic 1 to 11 formation - this is the first time this has happened in a World Cup final since squad numbers were introduced in 1954.

Howard Webb joins hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst in setting a World Cup final record.

John Heitinga's yellow card was the seventh of the match, breaking the record for a World Cup final. Webb went ahead of Brazilian referee Romuald Arppi Filho who showed six cards in the 1986 final.

He finished on a remarkable eight yellows and one red for Holland and four yellow cards for Spain.