World Cup 2010 Recap: Spain Reigns
- Author: Min-Q Kim
- Posted on: Monday July 12, 2010 at 1:00 PM
- Filed under: world cup, spain, netherlands, andres iniesta, iker casillas, exclusive
You all watched it whether it was curled up at home or in a jam-packed sports bar vuvuzela in hand, face-paint smeared on. Yesterday, Spain, the reigning European champions, took the World title, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time to claim their nation's first World Cup. They were the best team coming into the tournament, but living up to top billing is often a different story. Not so in this year's tournament. Spain rode its vaunted passing game to control time of possession, and while goals were scarce, they managed games, controlled tempo, and dictated play.
Four minutes from deciding the match on penalty kicks, Andres Iniesta took matters into his own hands and scored the most important goal of his life.
Andres Iniesta's extratime goal. Spain will never forget it. (Reuters)
During his celebration, Iniesta took his jersey off to reveal the words: "Dani Jarque: siempre con nosotros" - "Dani Jarque: always with us." Jarque was a former teammate of Iniesta on the Spanish national team, who collapsed and died suddenly on a tour of Italy last year. Jarque was 26 years old, same as Iniesta, and they had played on the under-17, under-19, under-20, and under-21 teams together before joining the big-boy squad together.
A tribute to a fallen teammate. (Getty)
A nation celebrates. Looks boring... Except not.
After the match, Spain's goalkeeper and captain, Iker Casillas, was interviewed by his girlfriend, Sara Carbonero, who happens to be a reporter for Spanish network Telecinco. The result? Pure sugar.
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“ Go Spain...next time, U.S. ”
