Holland and Spain have been the two best teams at South Africa 2010 and the final deservedly features both.
Spain began their assault on football’s biggest prize with a surprise 1-0 opening defeat to Switzerland but they were easily the better side on the night and the loss was probably not a genuine cause for concern for manager Vicente Del Bosque.
Straightforward wins over Honduras and Chile followed, Spain finished in first place in Group H, and have progressed with every match at these finals.
Triumphs over Portugal, Paraguay and Germany, all by a 1-0 score line, saw Spain dominate possession in each and Del Bosque’s side were able to limit the third place playoff winners to very few chances in their semi-final encounter.
Germany had plundered four goals against both Argentina and England en route to the last four but got very few sights of goal versus the Euro 2008 winners and I predict more of the same this evening for Spain’s opponents, Holland.
Much praise is heaped upon Andreas Iniesta and Xavi in the Spanish midfield but Spain certainly know how to defend and in Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique’s possess two of the very best centre backs around.
Spain, 1.50 shots to lift the trophy, face a team on Sunday that has now won its last 14 World Cup matches dating back to the start of qualifying and it is very difficult to pick holes in Holland’s form.
There is little to choose between the pair but Spain’s recent experience and terrific record in knockout tournaments could well prove the deciding factor and with Barcelona players accounting for well over 50 per cent of their starting line up, plenty of the Spanish eleven are used to getting it doen when it matters.
There are match-winners everywhere you look on Sunday but it is the spine of the Spanish team that looks stronger to me, Iker Casillas in goal included, and another narrow win without conceding for Del Bosque’s team looks on the cards to me.
Holland were second best against Brazil in the opening stages of their quarter-final clash, and for even longer versus Uruguay in the last four, but Spain won’t be as forgiving and Holland can also point to a number of pieces of good fortune along the way to the final.
Either team will be deserving first time winners, neither has their name etched on the trophy, but the pre-tournament favourites should oblige and Spain can cement their position as world’s best by winning inside 90 minutes.
2pts Back Spain (vs. Holland) @ 2.10 (World Bet Exchange)