As I write, Spain’s players are celebrating all around on the pitch at Soccer City. Holland’s players are lying distraught in defeat. A final that had looked to be heading for penalties was settled at the death by Andres Iniesta’s goal in the 116th minute of extra time.
Whoever wins the 2010 Final, World Cup history will be made on Sunday. There will be a new name on the trophy after Spain beat Germany 1-0 in a tense and enthralling encounter in Durban. Spain will now play Holland in Sunday’s finale in Johannesburg.
For the first time in the World Cup’s history, a European country will lift the trophy outside of their own continent after Holland beat Uruguay 3-2 in their semi-final in Cape Town.
Spain are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time, after an unconvincing 1-0 win over Paraguay in Johanesburg.
A disappointing game came alive just before the hour mark when both teams were awarded, but missed penalties. But, as has often been the case at this tournament, Spain were grateful to the predatory instincts of David Villa, who scored the only goal of the game with eight minutes remaining.
It was supposed to be Africa’s World Cup. Then it was supposed to be South America’s World Cup. Now the 2010 semi-finals have a distinctly European feel about them after Germany beat Argentina 4-0 in Cape Town to reach the last four.
Uruguay are heading for a World Cup semi-final against Holland in Cape Town on Tuesday after they beat Ghana on penalties following a most extraordinary climax to their quarter-final in Johannesburg.
Holland reached the semi-final of the World Cup for the first time in 12 years when they came from behind to defeat Brazil 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
David Villa reinforced his reputation as the best finisher in the world game by scoring the goal that took Spain into the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup at the expense of Iberian neighbours Portugal in Cape Town.
Paragauy are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Japan at the Loftus Versfield Stadium in Pretoria.
Can anybody stop Brazil? Holland now lie ahead in the quarter-final in Port Elizabeth on Friday after Carlos Dunga’s men brushed aside the challenge of Chile in Johannesburg.
