Well, that's that then.

After a month of non-stop football, it was the favourites Spain who won the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their nation's history.

Andrés Iniesta secured a scrappy 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Soccer City on Sunday and in doing so, Spain became the first side ever to win the World Cup after losing their first group game. That 1-0 loss against Switzerland seems a long time ago. However impressively despite losing that game, Vicente Del Bosque's side never abandoned their footballing philosophy which centres around short, sharp and incisive passing. Having lost their opening match against the Swiss, the Spanish went from strength to strength by winning their remaining group games against Honduras thanks to two David Villa goals, before easing past a plucky Chile side.

In the last sixteen arch rivals Portugal awaited, however even the World's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo was powerless to resist as the Spanish ended up 1-0 victors again thanks to David Villa, who was living up to his name as Spain's talisman. In the quater finals a hugely impressive Paraguay outfit, fresh from winning the competition's first penalty shoot out against Japan, were the opponents. It took until 8 minutes from time for Spain to break down the highly organised South American team, and yet again it was David Villa who got the crucial goal, sending Spain into there first ever World Cup semi final.




A feast of football beckoned in the Semi final as Germany, who comfortably disposed of England, though the less said about that the better, and Argentina. A young and ruthless German side had slammed 4 goals past both of their knock-out opponents, whilst Spain had only scored 2 goals in their previous two games. The stats suggested an even game was going to occur; but we got anything but. Spain virtually dominated from start to finish with their star-studded and irresistible midfield commanded the game and left the energetic Germans chasing shadows. Which meant the Spanish goal was clouded in irony as a Xavi corner was whipped in and powerfully headed home by Carles Puyol. It was as direct as Spain got all tournament and it reaped rewards.

That result meant Spain would face the Dutch in the final, which in turn assured that a new name would be on the Fifa World Cup trophy. It was supposed to be a match that would be easy on the eye mixing the Netherlands' "total football" and Spain's slick passing. Unfortunately Bert Van Marwijk set his side out to disrupt the European Champions and their style. This tactic was brilliantly epitomised by Nigel De Jong as he delivered what can only be described as a Kung-Fu kick straight into the chest of Xabi Alonso. Bruce Lee would have been proud of what I loosely call a tackle. However Spain refused to be stifled by their aggressive opponents, and in the end they got what they deserved.

However it was the Dutch who fashioned the best chance in normal time as Wesley Sneijder slipped in Arjen Robben who forced Spain captain Iker Casillas into a brilliant point blank save. With neither side able to find the net in the regulated 90 minutes, we moved into extra time and which is when the Spanish upped their game, as chances started to come more frequently with Fabregas and Iniesta going close. A tiring Dutch side were lucky to have 11 men on the pitch going into extra time, but their luck ran out when Everton's Johnny Heitinga saw red for bringing Iniesta down as he raced through. However the Barcelona man would not be denied as it was he who settled the game after being played in by substitute Fabregas. The finish on the volley was ruthless and it sparked wild celebrations, as Captain Casillas even began crying. All Spain had to do was hold out for 4 minutes and they did so comfortably as Howard Webb brought the 2010 World Cup to an end. The Dutch immediately flooded to England's referee in protest but nothing could detract from the emotional scenes on the Soccer City pitch in Johannesburg.



Aside from the final it was Uruguay's Diego Forlán who won the Golden Ball after being named player of the tournament having scored 5 goals, leading his nation's charge to the semi finals. Germany's Thomas Muller will be heading back to Munich with both the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player award having netted 5 times whilst assisting 3 others.

The first ever World Cup on African soil has undoubtedly been a successful on, albeit the football at times was not as entertaining as we had hoped for. Nevertheless the performances of Ghana liberated everyone and inspired and indeed united all of Africa, which will be the legacy of this World Cup.

With the 2010 Fifa World Cup out of the way, focus will be switched to Brazil where, for the first time, Spain will go as defending Champions.

Paul Seed