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The European champions proved too strong for the Dutch to contain; the Dutch actually had mother luck to thank for not conceding several goals as the Spaniards missed several chances, trying to dribble their way into the net without making efforts to shoot from outside the 18 yard box.
Sergio Ramos’ header was parried by the goal keeper in the 5th minute and finally cleared into safety. In the 8th minute, Dirk Kuyt’s shot was caught by Iker Casillas after a little defensive blunder.
In the 11th minute, Spain got her first corner kick, but David Villa’s left footer hit the side of the net for a goal kick. The 15th minute saw Robin Van Persie collecting a yellow card for his rough play against Joan Capdevilla. And Charles Puyol also got a yellow card in the 16th minute for his foul against Arjen Robben.
The Dutch side got a corner kick in the 21st minute, but the ball was nodded away by Sergio Ramos for a throw in. Mark Van Bommel and Sergio Ramos got a yellow card each in the 22nd and 23rd minutes respectively. Nigel De Jong also got a yellow card in the 29th minute for matching Xabi Alonso on the chest, in what should have been a red card; but the referee changed his mind and awarded a yellow instead.
There was a mild drama in the 33rd minute, as a fair play kick was shot directly toward the Spanish goal post and would have scored but for the quick intervention of the goal keeper who pointed it out for a corner kick.
The Netherlands got corner kicks in the 37th and 45th minutes but failed to score with either of them. Van Bronckhorst got a yellow card in the 54th minute for his foul against Sergio Ramos. In the 57th minute, Heitinga got a yellow card for fouling David Villa on the touch line.
Pedro was replaced with Jesus Navas in the 60th minute. In the 63rd minute, Arjen Robben beat two defenders to the ball, but finally shot unto the goal keeper’s legs for a corner kick. In the 67th minute, Joan Capdevilla got a yellow card for his rough tackle against Robin Van Persie. David Villa got the greatest opportunity to put the Spaniards ahead in the 70th minute, but he failed to score even when the goal keeper had fallen down.
Eljero Elia replaced Kuyt in the 71st minute. Spain got corner kicks in the 77th and 79th minutes respectively but the Dutch defense prevented them from scoring. In the 83rd minute, Van Persie failed to put the ball behind Iker Casillas after beating two defenders. Cesc Fabregas replaced Xabi Alonso in the 87th minute.
Spain dominated play in both halves, garnering 56% ball possession against their opponents’ 44%. The full time produced no goal on either sides and the match went into extra time. The Spaniards got their first corner kick in the 3rd minute of the extra time; and Cesc Fabregas had an opportunity to score in the 5th minute of extra time, but he shot unto the goal keeper’s legs.
The European champions got yet another corner kick in the 7th minute of extra time; David Villa was also replaced by Fernando Torres. Rafael Van Der Vaat replaced Nigel De Jong in the 9th minute.
Van Bronckhorst was replaced with Edson Branfneid in the 15th minute of extra time, and in the 19th minute, John Heitinga was shown the red card for his foul against Andrea Iniesta (after getting an initial yellow in the 57th minute).
Andrea Iniesta finally broke the deadlock by scoring the only goal of the night in the 26th minute of extra time thereby sending the whole stadium into raptures. 22nd minute of extra time also saw Van Der Wiel collecting a yellow card for his foul against Andrea Iniesta.
The match finally ended with the Spaniards carrying the day. While goal keeper Casillas shed tears of joy for their victory, Wesley Sneijder shed tears of defeat. Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie just could not believe they had lost the trophy to Spain, as they looked completely confused and shocked. Coach Vicente Del Bosque was the happiest man of the night having led Spain to their first ever final and eventually winning the trophy for them.
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