What can you say after that last week and a half? Spain are 2010 World Champions! Spain won the World Cup! After that corker of a game against Portugal we had Paraguay. A heart attack of a game. Spain were average by their own standards but they were made to look poor (I say that relatively speaking!) by a hard-working and determined Paraguay side. That match really could have gone either way. Luckily San Iker was on hand with a penalty save and a last minute block from Roque Santa Cruz. David Villa got the late winner once more.
Next up in the semis was many peoples new favorites. Germany. Spain was simply magnificent that night. They didnt give Germany a chance. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets played blinders. The passing was as crisp and accurate as it's ever been. Germany were passed off the park with Spain reaching their first ever World Cup final thanks to a bullet header from Carlos Puyol. A flying ball of muscle and hair that the German defence left completely unmarked at a late corner. The country erupted. The real Spain had come to town. Just when it mattered most.
Then the final. Spain v Holland. Not a great match, thanks largely to some unorthodox tackling from Mark Van Bommel and Nigel de Jong. Spain showed glimpses of their quality but by the end of 90 minutes it was Arjen Robben who was left to rue two failed one on ones with Iker Casillas. The first was a sensational stop from Iker. For me it was as important if not more so than the late winner that would be provided by little Andres Iniesta. Extra time was simply unbearable. Penalites loomed, until sub Cesc Fabregas slipped in Iniesta and the rest is history. Literally. Spains first ever World Cup triumph. The first time a European team has won the World Cup outside of Europe. In a repeat of Vienna two summers ago Iker Casillas stood reached to the skies with silverware (or should it be goldenware) in his hands. What a moment for Spanish Football.
I was lucky enough to watch the match in Cádiz. Was an unbelievable atmosphere with everyone, myself included, treating themselves to a post-match dip in the sea once the trophy had been passed over by Señor Blatter. Then the party really kicked in as it suddenly hit home that Spain had actually won the World Cup. An unforgettable night. Yesterday saw the squad wind their way through a fan-filled Madrid before Pepe Reina, Spains very own master of ceremonies, took to the mike infront of thousands of fans in what is becoming a biannual celebration. Too much to say, too little time, but I hope you all enjoyed what turned out to be a fantastic World Cup. Only a few weeks and we'll have La Liga back in action ;) Some videos for you to enjoy including the highlights of the final, Ikers special post-match kiss with girlfriend/journalist Sara Carbonera and Pepe Reinas fantastic introduction to Spain 2010.