WC2010 review: Spain

Spain vindicated their label as best team in the world by taking out footballs highest team accolade.

Vicente del Bosque’s men began the tournament slowly but as always, class prevailed and La Furia Roja saluted on the world stage for the first time, backing up their Euro 2008 success.

A magnificent passing game was propped up by a resolute defence and the good work up the field was finished off by one of the world’s best goalscorers in David Villa.

Spain’s ability to keep possession of the ball frustrated opponents who were often forced to play more physically as was the case in the final when Holland went against their own style and tried hard to put the Spaniards off their game.

The 2010 World Cup win can only make Spanish football stronger and expect this team to be a major player well into the future.

Finished: Winners
Record: Wins – 6; Draws – 0; Losses – 1; Points – 6
Matches: Switzerland (0-1), Honduras (2-0), Chile (2-1), RO16-Portugal (1-0), QF-Paraguay (1-0), SF-Germany (1-0), F-Holland (1-0)
Goals: 8
Against: 2

tribalfootball.com’s Star Man
Andres Iniesta (El Ilusionista was an instrumental part of the World Cup-winning team. His vision and creativity in midfield is second to none and his goal in the final clinched the crown for La Furia Roja)

Official statistics

Minutes played
Joan Capdevila 660
Iker Casillas 660
Gerard Pique 660
Carles Puyol 654

Top scorers
David Villa 5
Andres Iniesta 2
Carles Puyol 1

Total shots
David Villa 32
Andres Iniesta 11
Sergio Ramos 11

Pass Completion Rate
Carles Puyol 88%
Sergio Busquets 88%
Gerard Pique 85%
Joan Capdevila 81%

Most Fouls
Sergio Ramos 17
Sergio Busquets 11
Xabi Alonso 11
Andres Iniesta 8

Yellow cards
Xavi Hernandez 1
Gerard Pique 1
Joan Capdevila 1
Carles Puyol 1
Andres Iniesta 1
Xabi Alonso 1
Sergio Busquets 1
Sergio Ramos 1

Red cards
none

Saves
Iker Casillas 17