Giovani Dos Santos Pertimbangkan Internazionale

Giovani dos Santos

Setelah sukses di Olimpiade 2012, Giovani dos Santos serius mempertimbangkan berkarier di Serie A Italia.

Gelandang Tottenham Hotspur itu menjadi bagian penting dari Meksiko saat merebut medali emas Olimpiade. Keberhasilan itu sekaligus memberikan harapan baru bagi Dos Santos yang tidak memperoleh banyak kesempatan bersama Spurs. 

 

Sempat dikabarkan tengah dilirik Fiorentina, kini Dos Santos tidak malu mengakui minat merambah sepakbola Italia.

"Internazionale bisa saja menjadi tujuan Giovani," ungkap agen Vicente Montes kepada ESPN.

"Dia punya peluang 50 persen pergi ke Italia dan persentase sisanya ke Spanyol."

"Harus diakui akan sulit bernegosiasi dengan Tottenham. Lihat saja apa yang terjadi antara Real Madrid dan Luka Modric."

Tottenham kabarnya sudah membahas kemungkinan transfer Julio Cesar sehingga terbuka pula peluang bagi Dos Santos menjadi bagian jika kesepakatan tercapai.

 

Sumber : goal.com 

Read the full story

Tim Nasional Indonesia Panggil Arthur Irawan

Bambang Pamungkas, Ponaryo Astaman, Firman Utina, M. Ridwan, Ahmad Bustomi, dan yang terakhir Ferdinand Sinaga, telah meminta untuk meninggalkan pemusatan latihan tahap pertama. Sebagai gantinya, PSSI akan segera mencari pemain pengganti. "Pelatih Nil Maizar telah memanggil sejumlah pemain pengganti, untuk menggantikan pemain ISL yang mengundurkan diri. Mereka diambil dari tim PON berbagai daerah, maupun pemain yang bermain di kompetisi luar negeri," tutur Koordinator Tim Nasional Indonesia Bob Hippy.

Arthur Irawan

Salah satu pemain yang akan mengisi pos di Timnas Indonesia adalah Arthur Irawan yang kini bermain di klub Espanyol B.
"September awal kami mempunyai jadwal uji coba melawan Espanyol B, klubnya Arthur Irawan. Arthur menjadi pilihan Nil Maizar untuk melengkapi posisi tersisa. Mengenai hal ini, Ayah Arthur sudah mengonfirmasi bahwa Arthur ingin membela timnas. Rencananya sebelum jadwal pertandingan, Arthur lebih dulu datang ke Indonesia,"ujar Bob Hippy.
Bob Hippy mengatakan, kepergian sejumlah pemain ISL dari pemusatan latihan Timnas Indonesia, tidak semestinya menjadi kendala untuk mempersiapkan timnas menuju Piala AFF akhir November mendatang.
"Kami manfaatkan pemain yang ada. Saya yakin Indonesia punya banyak talenta muda yang bisa diandalkan membela bangsanya. Yang penting, pemain yang punya semangat dan belum terkontaminasi dengan konflik kepentingan," tambah Bob Hippy.

Read the full story

Kejahatan Pepe

Wayne Rooney memanggilnya 'idiot', Bernd Schuster merasa kepribadiannya berubah saat mengenakan kostum Real Madrid. Namun semua sepakat, Pepe bermasalah.

Bek kelahiran Brasil ini lagi-lagi menjadi pusat perhatian pada pertengahan pekan dengan cara yang salah, mengalihkan perhatian dari pertandingan yang menarik. Clasico kelima berlangsung di Santiago Bernabeu, dengan hasil akhir 2-1 memihak tim tuan rumah di laga pertama perempat-final Copa del Rey. Pepe, sama seperti musim lalu lawan Barca, dipasang sebagai perusak permainan di lini tengah, dan bek Portugal itu benar-benar menghayati perannya dengan mengasari Sergio Busquets di awal pertandingan yang membuatnya diganjar kartu kuning, sebelum menginjak Lionel Messi yang luput dari pengamatan wasit. Jika wasit melihat insiden tersebut, kartu merah pasti akan keluar bagi Pepe. Pelatih Real Madrid pun berusaha mengamankan pemainnya dengan menarik keluar Pepe menjelang akhir pertandingan. Sebagian besar pemain Barcelona tak mau larut dalam insiden ini, tetapi Xavi menganggap ini memalukan, sementara pelatih Pep Guardiola dan Andres Iniesta membiarkan tayangan ulang dan foto-foto berbicara. Dan ini bukan pertama kali Pepe khilaf. Karier Pepe banyak dihiasi kontroversi terbesar yang dibuat Pepe.

1. TENDANGAN TERHADAP PEMAIN GETAFE JAVIER CASQUERO (APRIL 2009)
Pepe sendiri sepertinya akan sulit mengulang tingkahnya atas Javier Casquero. Bek Madrid itu memberikan penalti bagi lawannya menjelang akhir partai liga di Bernabeu setelah mendorong Casquero dari belakang. Belum cukup, Pepe menunjukkan rasa frustrasinya dengan menendang bagian belakang kaki Casquero dan kemudian punggungnya, untuk kemudian dihukum sepuluh pertandingan. Pepe pun belum belajar dari kejadian brutal ini.

2. KENAKALAN DI SERIAL CLASICO (APRIL 2011)
Banyak kejadian yang bisa diambil di tiga pertandingan lawan Barcelona di mana Pepe tampil menjelang akhir musim. Ada tekel keras atas Dani Alves, yang membuat Pepe dihukum kartu merah dan tak tampil di leg kedua semi-final, selain menendang wajah Messi, menampar Andres Iniesta, dan membuat gerakan tak pantas ke arah fans Barca setelah Madrid menjuarai Copa del Rey.

3. MENYERANG PEMAIN LEVANTE XAVI TORRES (SEPTEMBER 2011) Frustrasi berkecamuk
dalam partai tandang Real Madrid ke Levante, saat klub ibukota Spanyol itu tertinggal dari tim asal Valencia. Pepe lagi-lagi menjadi pemain yang emosinya tak terkontrol, setelah mendorong Xavi Torres, menendangnya, dan kemudian menginjaknya juga. Wasit kembali gagal melihat insiden ini. Torres kaget, "Saya tak percaya apa yang terjadi saat itu."

4. MENYIKUT MUKA PENYERANG SEVILLA ALVARO NEGREDO (DESEMBER 2011)
Ini salah satu kenakalan Pepe yang kurang populer, tetapi tetap mencengangkan. Bek Portugal itu mengawal Negredo saat bertandang ke Sevilla, dan memutuskan untuk menyikut mukanya saat berebut bola di sudut lapangan. Namun, berbeda dengan Rabu kemarin, wasit melihat kejadian ini dan mengusir Pepe keluar dengan kartu merah. Madrid untungnya tetap menang 6-2.

5. MENGINJAK TANGAN MESSI (JANUARI 2012)
Kontroversi ini terlalu hangat untuk dilewatkan. Setelah dua kali gagal merebut bola dari penyerang Argentina itu, Pepe akhirnya berhasil mendekati Messi setelah Jose Callejon melakukan pelanggaran. Pepe pun menggunakan kesempatan ini untuk bersinggungan dengan Messi yang terjatuh dan menginjak tangannya, tepat di depan mata wasit. Di pertandingan ini, Pepe juga berpura-pura kesakitan di mukanya, saat berebut bola dengan Cesc Fabregas.

Read the full story

Wakil Presiden Barcelona : Pepe Tidak Menyesali perbuatannya

Wakil Presiden Barcelona Carles Vilarrubi menolak permintaan maaf yang diucapkan oleh Pepe setelah menginjak tangan Lionel Messi dalam laga El Clasico hari Rabu (19/01) kemarin. Seperti yang diketahui, Pepe menyatakan insiden tersebut bukanlah sebuah kesengajaan, tetapi dirinya tetap meminta maaf atas hal tersebut. "Pepe mencoba memperbaiki sebuah hal yang tidak ada. Dia tidak mengatakan bahwa dia melakukan kesalahan, dia hanya mengatakan bahwa hal tersebut tidak sengaja," ujar Villarrubi kepada RAC1. "Tidak akan ada seorangpun yang mempercayai hal tersebut."

Read the full story

Bukti Kejahatan Pepe

Insiden injakkan kaki Pepe terhadap tangan Lionel Messi meluas menjadi sorotan utama dan memaksa Bek Real Madrid itu buka suara.

Pepe akhirnya melontarkan ucapan permintaan maaf kepada Messi atas perilakunya. Pepe menyebut yang ia lakukan merupakan ketidaksengajaan.

""Aku ingin mengatakan, insiden kemarin dengan Leo Messi adalah tidak disengaja. Tapi aku ingin meminta maaf kepadanya jika dia tersinggung. Apa yang kulakukan hanya upaya membela tim dan insitusi. Dengan segenap hati dan jiwa, dan pikiran untuk menyakiti sama sekali tida pernah terlintas dalam pikiranku," beber Pepe seperti tertuang dalam situs resmi Real Madrid.

Pun, pernyataan Pepe itu tak serta-merta menghapus kontroversi yang ada. Bukti rekaman yang ada menunjukkan Pepe memang sengaja menginjak tangan Messi. Bukti rekaman memperlihatkan bagaimana Pepe -tengah berjalan menuju wasit- berpapasan dengan Messi yang tengah terduduk seusai dijatuhkan Jose Callejon.

Pepe kemudian sempat melihat ke bawah sebelum menjejakkan kakinya ke tangan Messi. Seolah tak terjadi apa-apa, Pepe kemudian menuju ke wasit dan meminta pengampunan atas hukuman kartu kuning yang ditujukan buat Callejon. Adapun Messi, langsung meringis dan kembali berguling di lapangan.

Atas tindakan yang dianggap sebagai kesengajaan itu, sejumlah pemain dunia -Wayne Rooney misalnya- mengecam aksi Pepe sebagai tindakan seorang yang idiot.

Para rekan satu tim Messi di Barcelona pun tak tinggal diam. Mereka meminta komisi disiplin dari Real Federación Española de Fútbol (PSSI-nya Spanyol) untuk menyelidiki kasus tersebut.

Read the full story

Copa Del Rey: El Classico masih milik Barca

Barcelona pulang dengan kepala tegak berkat kemenangan krusial 2-1 kontra Real Madrid pada leg pertama perempat-final Copa del Rey di Santiago Bernabeu, Kamis (19/1) dinihari WIB. Gol Cristiano Ronaldo di babak pertama menjadi tidak berpengaruh, karena Carles Puyol dan Eric Abidal membalas gol di babak kedua. Kemenangan ini jelas meringankan langkah Azulgrana untuk lolos ke babak berikutnya, karena akan melakoni laga kandang di Camp Nou pada leg kedua pekan depan. 

Real Madrid tampil menyerang sejak peluit kick-off dibunyikan. Sepuluh menit laga berjalan, Los Blancos unggul lebih dulu lewat gol Cristiano Ronaldo. Umpan Karim Benzema dengan sempurna dilesakkan Ronaldo yang berhasil melewati bek Gerard Pique. Jose Pinto tak berdaya menahan laju si kulit bundar yang sempat melewati kedua kakinya. Bukan Barcelona namanya jika menyerah saat tertinggal satu gol. Peluang emas diperoleh Barca di menit ke-16, saat passing Cesc Fabregas mengarah ke area penalti. Alexis Sanchez nyaris menjebol gawang Iker Casillas, tapi bola sundulannya masih membentur mistar gawang. Lionel Messi hampir menyamakan kedudukan di pertengahan babak pertama, tapi tendangan teralu lemah sehingga gawang Casillas tidak kebobolan lagi. Hingga turun minum, keunggulan Madrid belum terbantahkan. Babak kedua baru berjalan empat menit, Carles Puyol berhasil menggetarkan jala Casillas. Berawal dari sebuah sepaj pojok, kapten Barcelona yang lepas dari kawalan Pepe melakukan sundulan. Casillas pun tak berdaya melihat bola masuk ke gawangnya. Madrid mulai tertekan untuk menambah gol. Passing Hamit Altintop berhasil diteruskan sundulan Benzema, tapi Pinto cekatan menyelamatkan gawang. Madrid akhirnya benar-benar terbenam tepat di menit ke-77. Aksi ciamik Messi menyuplai bola ke sisi kiri disambar Eric Abidal dan lolos dari jebakan offside. Bek Prancis mengontrol bola dengan dada dan melepaskan tembakan dari jarak dekat untuk memperdayai Casillas. Keunggulan Barcelona bertahan hingga pertandingan usai. 

Read the full story

Spy War El Classico

Laga big match El Clasico, akan dimulai beberapa jam lagi. Kedua tim telah mempersiapkan pemain dan strategi untuk memenangkan pertandingan Leg pertama Perempatfinal Copa del Rey di Stadion Santiago Bernabeu, Kamis (19/1/2012) dini hari WIB.

Pelatih Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho rencananya menurunkan Angel Di Maria meski pemain sayap itu sempat menderita cidera paha baru-baru ini. Sementara terkait hukuman bertanding pemain bertahan Alvaro Arbeloa, Mourinho akan memilih menggeser Sergio Ramos ke kanan atau memasang Fabio Coentrao. Mourinho juga menghadapi soal cidera Khedira dan Pepe di lini tengah.

Sementara Barcelona kehilangan penyerang Pedro setelah cidera hamstring saat menang melawan Osasuna 2-1 pekan lalu. Pedro menyusul David Villa dan Ibrahim Afellay yang lebih dulu istirahat aibat cidera. Sementara Seydou Keita tak bisa tampil karena memperkuat Mali, negerinya di ajang Piala Afrika. Guardiola juga telah menyebutkan akan memasang Jose Pinto dalam laga ini.

Berikut ini komentar dua pelatih itu yang dikutip Eurosport:

Pep Guardiola:
Bertanding di Bernabeu kami harus bijak. Satu-satunya cara untuk mendapatkan hasil dan menjaga peluang adalah memenangkan pertandingan. Madrid adalah lawan terkuat yang bisa saya temukan. Melawan Madrid anda tak bisa merasakan sebagai tim favorit. Tak ada preseden dalam olahraga. Ini adalah soal apa yang anda lakukan saat ini. Besok (nanti malam) adalah hari yang berbeda, di mana para 90.000 penonton akan mendukung tim putih (Real Madrid). Anda harus mulai dari nol lagi untuk menang. Itulah indah sepakbola. Pekerjaan ini tetap masuk akal karena menyuguhkan gairah.

Jose Mourinho:
Berapa banyak gelar yang harus saya menangkan hanya untuk menghindari apa yang saya lakukan? Katakan pada saya apa yang harus saya lakukan untuk memuaskan anda (media)? Jika saya memainkan Karim Benzema, anda akan menanyakan Gonzalo Higuain. Tetapi jika saya memainkan Higuain, anda menanyakan kenapa Benzema tak main? Jika saya mainkan Pepe di lini tengah, anda menekankan bahwa dia sebaiknya di pertahanan. Sebaliknya, jika saya memainkan dia di belakang, anda menyarankan di tengah.

Read the full story

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirms move for Sevilla centre-back Sebastien Squillaci

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed his interest in Sevilla centre-back Sebastien Squillaci but has dampened rumours of an impending move.

Squillaci, 30, was pulled out of the Champions League play-off, first leg defeat to Braga this week to prevent him being cup-tied. The Spanish side soon announced they had rejected an offer for the France World Cup 2010 star worth about £4.5 million.

Wenger revealed he had made a bid for the ex-Monaco defender and was studying other options.

He said: "He is one of the players we look at.

"With central defenders we are short number-wise, so we look at him, but we are far from being close to signing him."

Read the full story

Barcelona set to move for Liverpool's Javier Mascherano as Pep Guardiola seeks new additions

Barcelona are set to once again express their interest in luring Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to the Nou Camp, after coach Pep Guardiola stated his desire to bolster his squad ahead of the new season.

Guardiola, in a press conference earlier today, admitted that he would not rule out any new additions ahead of the closing of the transfer window, and according to television channel TV3, the club are looking to complete a deal for the Liverpool enforcer before the deadline on August 31.

Barcelona are in the hunt for a defensive midfielder following the departure of Yaya Toure to Manchester City, and the collapse of the proposed deal for Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal, with the 26-year-old Mascherano now their number one priority.

Mascherano has publicly stated his intention to leave Anfield to further his career, and following discussions with international colleague Lionel Messi, the player believes that Barcelona would fulfill his requirements.

Last week, Blaugrana sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta passed comment on Mascherano, insisting that the player does not feature in the clubs’ plans for the season, but they have also been linked with an offer of €15 million (£12.2m) plus Aleksander Hleb to land the former West Ham United and River Plate star.

Read the full story

Lyon star Michel Bastos insists he has had no contact with Real Madrid

Lyon star Michel Bastos has ensured his club that he has received no contact from Real Madrid regarding a proposed transfer, but added that the Spanish giants are a ‘great club’.

Bastos, who represented Brazil during this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, was today the subject of speculation linking him with a move to the Bernabeu, with Royston Drenthe plus €12 million (£9.8m) exchanging hands.

However, L’Equipe reports that although Bastos is flattered by the interest, he has not been informed of any bids from Jose Mourinho’s side.

He stated: “People are saying things right and left, I try not to pay too much attention and it does not bother me, the only thing I want is to return to action soon.

“I do not want to know anything about this story until there is something official, and I have acknowledged it. Real Madrid would be a great club for me but they have not made any offer, and no one has called the club.”

However, Bastos made sure that he left the door open for the Spanish giants to potentially swoop for his services, adding: “I know that the leaders of Real Madrid have said that their signings are over, but you never know.

“If I leave today, tomorrow, or next year it will be because the club believes it is a good deal for them and for me. Otherwise, I will stay.”

Read the full story

Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart admits it would be hard to turn down Manchester United

Rafael van der Vaart has admitted that the only club he can see himself leaving Real Madrid for is Manchester United.

United have reportedly made enquiries regarding the 27-year-old midfielder, and the Dutch international acknowledges that a switch to Old Trafford would be a logical step for him at this stage of his career.

“I could never play for another club in Spain and the truth is that if you are leaving Real Madrid, there is only one club you can join that is not a step down – and that’s Manchester United," he said, according to The Daily Express.

“They are a huge club and if the reported interest they have in me turns out to be true, then I would really have to sit down and listen.

“If Manchester United could offer me first-team football with the situation as it is at Madrid, it would be very hard to turn down. Alex Ferguson is a great coach and I would never think about joining a team where I didn’t believe I could win things, so all of a sudden that limits your choices.

“At Manchester United you know success is likely and that’s a big factor for me at this stage of my career."

And Van der Vaart seems to be eyeing the Premier League if he does not see much action on La Liga over the coming campaign.

He added: "If [Real boss] Jose Mourinho makes it clear I won’t play much, I see my future in English football."

Read the full story

Dudu Aouate extends Mallorca stay

UEFA Europa League play-off entrants RCD Mallorca have announced Israel goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has signed a new contract which ties him to the Liga club until 2013.

Israeli international goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has signed a new deal that ties him to UEFA Europa League play-off contenders RCD Mallorca until 2013.

Aouate, 32, started every league game in his first full season with Mallorca having moved to the club from RC Deportivo La Coruña in January 2009. The former Maccabi Haifa FC keeper has now put pen to paper on a two-year extension to his contract ahead of the new Liga campaign. Mallorca, who appointed former Danish international Michael Laudrup as their new coach last month, finished fifth in the Spanish top flight and will therefore compete in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. They will discover their opponents at the 6 August draw, with matches scheduled for 19 and 26 August.

Read the full story

Real Madrid Sign Pedro León from Getafe

Real Madrid CF have completed the signing of right-sided midfielder Pedro León from Getafe CF in a deal reported to be worth €10m, the 23-year-old committing until summer 2016.

Real Madrid CF have completed the signing of Spanish Under-21 international midfielder Pedro León from Getafe CF in a deal reported to be worth €10m. The right-sided 23-year-old committed to the club until summer 2016 following a medical today, and becomes José Mourinho's second signing after the arrival of Ángel di María. With eight goals in 35 Liga appearances last term, Pedro León played a crucial role in helping Getafe earn a UEFA Europa League play-off spot yet it will be in the UEFA Champions League group stage that the former UD Levante and Real Valladolid man will now be tested.

Meanwhile, reserve goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool FC, has penned a one-year contract with Los Merengues, tying the 37-year-old to the club until June 2011.

Read the full story

Barcelona Sign Adriano from Sevilla after getting David Villa

Adriano (left) against his new Team, Barcelona

Spanish Liga titleholders FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Sevilla FC for the signature of Brazilian international full-back Adriano for a fee that could rise to €13.5m.

Sevilla FC full-back Adriano is set to move to FC Barcelona after the two clubs agreed a fee that could rise to €13.5m for the 25-year-old. Adriano will make the move to the Liga champions subject to passing a medical at the Camp Nou, making him Barça's second signing of the summer after the arrival of striker David Villa. A former FIFA U-20 World Cup winner, Adriano scored 11 times in 157 league appearances for Sevilla following his transfer from Coritiba FC in 2004/05.

A winner of two UEFA Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, two Copa del Rey titles and a Spanish Super Cup during his time at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, the Brazilian international will now be looking to achieve UEFA Champions League success with Josep Guardiola's side, who enter the tournament at the group stage. Sevilla, meanwhile, will look to join their Liga rivals in the competition via a play-off.

Read the full story

The New World Cup Champion Spain

Andres Iniesta struck a dramatic winner late in extra time to give Spain World Cup glory for the first time but condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final.

Iniesta drilled his left-foot strike across goal - but the Dutch were incensed after referee Howard Webb had failed to award their side a corner moments earlier when a free-kick took a sizeable deflection off Cesc Fabregas.
However, Euro 2008 champions Spain, who conceded only two goals during the tournament, deserved their victory after gradually taking a grip on a tense and bad-tempered contest that produced 14 yellow cards with Johnny Heitinga sent off on 109 minutes after picking up a second yellow card.

The Dutch, who lost in the 1974 and 1978 finals, were bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to go through World Cup qualifying and the finals unbeaten.
They had a glorious chance to take the lead in the second half but Arjen Robben, comfortably his team's most potent attacking weapon, could find no way past Spain captain Iker Casillas, who slumped to the floor and cried tears of joy after the final whistle.
Sergio Ramos was equally culpable of a glaring miss for Spain when he headed over and substitute Fabregas, as with Robben before him, also failed to convert a one-on-one chance.
But it was from a through ball by the influential Fabregas that midfielder Iniesta struck making Spain the first team to win a World Cup after losing their opening game of the tournament.
Spain also become the team to win to World Cup having scored the fewest number of goals - finding the net eight times in their seven matches. The previous mark was held by three teams including England in 1996.
The dramatic finale at Soccer City was in stark contrast to a hugely underwhelming opening 45 minutes, which was a brutal disappointment after the spectacular opening ceremony and moving appearance by former president Nelson Mandela that had preceded it.
Spain dominated possession in the opening minutes and looked to have the measure of an uncertain Dutch backline. Ramos almost put them ahead after just four minutes but his thunderous header was brilliantly saved by Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Netherlands could not get a grip on the game but were helped by a spate of yellow cards from referee Webb that disturbed the rhythm of the match.
Webb booked five players in the opening 28 minutes, although several crude challenges left him with little option.
Dutch enforcer Mark van Bommel was booked after going through the back of Iniesta, while Nigel de Jong was lucky to escape red after planting his foot in the chest of Xabi Alonso.
Robben did force a decent save from Casillas with a low left-foot strike after cutting inside during stoppage time.
But the match had degenerated to the extent that Alonso opted to shoot with a free-kick on the wrong side of 40 yards instead of a seeking out a team-mate.
Spain defender Joan Capdevila wasted a good chance shortly after the restart, failing to make contact with a Carles Puyol flick-on.
The bookings continued after the break and the contest occasionally threatened to boil over as the tension appeared to affect the players.
But there were also a few moments of real quality, none more so than a sumptuous through ball from the largely anonymous Wesley Sneijder that played Robben clean through on goal.
Robben delayed his shot but, equally, Casillas stood his ground as long as possible and brilliantly saved with his legs.
It was a head-in-hands moment for Robben, but one quickly followed for Spain when a completely unmarked Ramos headed a corner over the crossbar.
Robben's pace troubled the Spanish defence throughout and another burst from the Bayern Munich man unsettled Puyol, who appeared to impinge his opponent. Robben, just outside the penalty area, chose to stay on his feet and Casillas again denied him.
Spain had moved into the ascendancy as the match wore on, with Xavi increasingly influential.
Fabregas replaced Alonso in the 87th minute and quickly made an impression by collecting a superb Iniesta pass, but the Arsenal man could find no way beyond Stekelenberg, who saved brilliantly with his legs.
The complement was returned shortly afterwards but Iniesta opted not to strike from 18 yards and was eventually dispossessed by the excellent Gregory van der Wiel.
Heitinger became the fifth man to be sent off in a World Cup final when he pulled back Iniesta on the edge of the area, giving Webb little choice but to hand him a second caution, and that seemed to spur Spain on for a final effort.
Joris Mathijsen headed over for the Netherlands in what was their only good chance of the extra-time period before Iniesta struck his late and decisive blow.

Netherlands	0-1	Spain	FT
	(HT 0-0) (aet)	Iniesta, 116
Team
Netherlands 01 Stekelenburg 02 Van Der Wiel 03 Heitinga 04 Mathijsen 05 Van Bronckhorst (15 Braafheid, 105) 06 Van Bommel 08 De Jong (23 Van der Vaart, 99 ) 10 Sneijder 07 Kuyt (17 Elia, 70) 09 Van Persie 11 Robben		Spain 01 Casillas 03 Pique 05 Puyol 11 Capdevila 15 Sergio Ramos 06 Iniesta 08 Xavi 14 Alonso (10 Fabregas, 86) 16 Busquets 07 Villa (09 Torres, 106) 18 Pedrito (22 G Jesus Navas, 60)
Substitutes: 16 Vorm, 22 Boschker, 12 Boulahrouz, 13 Ooijer, 15 Braafheid, 14 De Zeeuw, 18 Schaars, 20 Afellay, 23 Van der Vaart, 17 Elia, 19 Babel, 21 Huntelaar		Substitutes: 12 Valdes, 23 Reina, 02 Albiol, 04 Marchena, 17 Arbeloa, 10 Fabregas, 20 Javi Martinez, 21 Silva, 22 G Jesus Navas, 09 Torres, 13 Mata, 19 Llorente
Venue: Soccer City Referee: Howard Webb

Read the full story

Route to Final World Cup 2010 South Africa

Spain entered the 2010 World Cup as the reigning UEFA European Football Champions having won UEFA Euro 2008, and as the holders of the international football record of consecutive unbeaten games for a national team, spanning 35 matches from 2007 to 2009. The Netherlands entered the World Cup having not lost a single match in their UEFA Group 9 qualifying campaign, winning 8 matches out of 8.
Once at the finals in South Africa, the Netherlands reached the knock-out stages having finished top of Group E with a perfect record of three wins, against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, conceding only one goal. In the knock-out stages, they beat World Cup débutantes Slovakia, 5 time champions Brazil and 2 time champions Uruguay.
Spain reached the knock-out stages having finished top of Group H, recovering from an initial loss to Switzerland to beat Honduras and then Chile, tying with Chile on points but qualifying top of the group on goal difference. In the knock-out stages, they then beat their Iberian neighbours Portugal, quarter final débutantes Paraguay and three time winners Germany. The semi-final was a repeat of the match up for the UEFA Euro 2008 Final, and again saw Spain beat Germany, who were the top scorers of the 2010 tournament up to that point.

In the six games both teams played in South Africa to reach the final, the Netherlands scored a total of 12 goals and conceded 5, while Spain scored 7 and conceded 2. The top goalscorer in the tournament receives the World Cup Golden Boot. Going into the final both Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands and David Villa of Spain were tied as the top scorers, while Arjen Robben of the Netherlands is the only other player in the finalists squads with more than one goal in the tournament so far.

Netherlands		Round	Spain
Detail Match on Group E: 2010 FIFA World Cup: Group E Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Netherlands 3 3 0 0 5 1 +4 9  Japan 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6  Denmark 3 1 0 2 3 6 −3 3  Cameroon 3 0 0 3 2 5 −3 0		Group stage	Detail Match on Group H: 2010 FIFA World Cup: Group H Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Spain 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6  Chile 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6  Switzerland 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4  Honduras 3 0 1 2 0 3 −3 1
Opponent	Result	Knockout stage	Opponent	Result
Slovakia	2–1	Round of 16	Portugal	1–0
Brazil	2–1	Quarter-finals	Paraguay	1–0
Uruguay	3–2	Semifinals	Germany	1–0

Read the full story