Spain vs. Netherlands World Cup Final

Hundreds of millions of people were glued on their seats in front of their TV set when Germany and Spain battled against each other in the semi-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For the second time only and the first time ever since the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, Spain will play a semi-final World Cup match. The only time they played in the semis of the competition, they finished fourth. Germany, meanwhile, failed to reach this round only 5 times out of 17 World Cup appearances. So Spain have never beaten Germany in a World Cup. Carles Puyol’s headed goal against Germany was the Spanish answer to the burden of history: it propelled Spain to their first World Cup Final, and also went a long way to shedding the anachronistic tag of ‘underachievers’ that pundits habitually bestow upon them.

Ever since Spain’s shock loss to Switzerland in their opening game, they have played a cagey brand of football that sporadically culminates into genuine attacking threat. Though it was Puyol that ended Germany’s World Cup on Wednesday, it is still Villa that shapes the Spanish attack. Quite apart from being an awesome striker, he is also a highly intelligent footballer.

Of course, what makes the Final even more intriguing is that the Netherlands have never won the World Cup either. The last moment of glory for the Dutch came in 1988, when they were crowned European Champions. The first semi final was an open game until the last minute. Both Uruguay and the Netherlands have played a game each at the Cape Town Stadium. Uruguay opened that venue with a 0-0 draw against France on June 11 whereas the Netherlands secured a 2-1 win over Cameroon on Match-day Three to maintain their 100% record at the 2010 FIFA World Cup With a clear presence of both sides in the midfield, Netherlands' individual capabilities turned to be enough to get the Dutch a place in the final. Netherlands 14th consecutive victory has granted the Oranje a place in the final.

Spain and the Netherlands can rewrite the history of football. One of them will finally be able to thumb their nose at the likes of Brazil, Italy, Germany, and Argentina, winners who have long enjoyed special privilege as the trendsetters in world football.