England three down! Villa, Iniesta, Xavi Shortlisted for World Cup Best Player Award Dan Baynes. ", Contrary to popular opinion, it has not been the vuvuzelas ruining the World Cup, but the dreary football. "The Germans were so big... but Puyi was right! Xavi claimed Spain dominated their youthful opponents, turning the screw in the second half and netting the crucial winner moments after Toni Kroos had missed Germany's best chance. This will allow you to make the most of your account with personalization. By Sportsmail Reporter Updated: 10:37 EDT, 8 July 2010 It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. I think it’s very important to have a good atmosphere within the squad and Iker, the captain, is often the first to try and foster that. That said, Argentina and Germany, for example, play really well and are two teams which go out to win their games. El Mundo Deportivo has described him as "majestic, an exhibition – his football a recital that never ends". "That was until David Villa's goal arrived.". 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Xavi: I’m a footballing romantic (FIFA.com) 23 Jun 2010 ... You were part of the Spain side which won the 1999 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Nigeria. "I watched the match again in the hotel on my own. It is probably inevitable, therefore, that the question that has been heard most at Spain's media events has been of how Del Bosque's men will acclimatise to the different pressures that accompany no longer being merely dark horses but the team that is expected to prick our senses, play the most unforgettable football, put on a peacock-like spreading of feathers. "It wasn't a very expansive Spain, but we were better than Honduras. 'We dedicate this victory to Spain. Made for Manchester! The same restrictions could also apply to Fernando Torres after his ankle issues, but there is no sense of alarm in the Spanish media. A new champion will be crowned on Sunday after the Euro 2008 winners booked a clash with Holland at Soccer City thanks to Carles Puyol's fierce second-half header against Germany in Durban. Spain, though, are spoilt for choice when it comes to central midfielders of class and achievement. World Cup 2010: Xavi the pass master rose above final disappointment Who dominated and who disappointed? 'We will have to impose our personality and football on them.'. He likes to get the squad together and for us to do things together. Fábregas would probably walk into any other side in the tournament. All rights reserved. Germany were better than Serbia and we were better than Switzerland but you can’t win if you don’t score. They are turned on by the pressure. 2020 What kind of an impact did winning that world title have?It really helped a great generation of players to make the breakthrough. "We had our best game of the tournament against Germany," Xavi stated. Their previous best dates back to 1950 when they finished fourth. "We had more tension in our bodies than usual. It doesn’t matter if a player is from Madrid or from Barcelona. But the Barcelona star is keen to relieve the pressure and make sure Spain make the most of their first date at world football's most prestigious gathering. They won the European Championship with something to spare and, importantly, they appear to be free of the cliques and divisions that can exist when bringing together players from different clubs, and particularly when those clubs are bonded by mutual contempt in the manner of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Xavi (few fans know his full name: Xavier Hernández i Creus) played his last game of the season for his … The red machine is spluttering: Engine room misfires, No 2 keeper short-circuits, high line exposes... Everton complete loan move for Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen as Carlo Ancelotti eyes increased competition for... Manchester United's move for Ousmane Dembele is OFF with Barcelona only interested in a transfer instead of... 'It is time for them to return the opportunity and let him go': Sergio Romero's wife hits out at Manchester... Atletico Madrid confirm signing of Lucas Torreira from Arsenal on a season-long loan. "We struggled to create danger, that was until Andres Iniesta made the difference and Villa scored. Duncan White gives his verdict on the best and worst of World Cup 2010. Tomorrow, beside the Indian Ocean, the European champions can remind us why their football could be set to its own music. There are a few players of that generation still playing at top clubs, it was a great achievement and it took place here in Africa. That said, we do feel like we’re capable of doing it again. "It was just about winning, which we needed to do.". The African teams have really gone for it too, but they’ve not had much luck. They set out to play for a draw but ended up winning the match. We’re all playing for the same country and we’re a crop of players that gives their very best for this sport and puts everything else to one side. We simply love football and whatever club team we play for, here we all pull on the same shirt. The captain and goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, summed it up: "We have outstanding players; even on the bench they are outstanding. Xavi and Iniesta, to name but two, are hardly the type to be afflicted by stagefright. "We had three or four very clear chances. Liverpool's red machine is spluttering: Engine room misfires, No 2 keeper short-circuits, high line exposes defence... and £52m Naby Keita CAN'T tackle! As the cover of Marca put it last week: "Spain are the best in the world, now we have to prove it. "After the game, [Joachim] Low said something very touching on a personal level to me, that we were the best team in the world. The comments below have been moderated in advance. I think it’s good to win like that, by taking the initiative right from the off. Xavi has warned Holland that Spain will 'impose our personality and football' on the World Cup final. "They defended a lot, deep into their own half. Is friendship an important part of this squad?I think that Spanish football fans can identify with national-team players because we’re a group of very normal, very hard-working people who love the game. This is the fully-customizable short-sleeve home kit for Spain’s 2010 World Cup final win. "On the way to the dressing room, after the first half, Puyol told me that, if I put it in the box, it was a goal. He loves a joke and he’s a very humble and very normal guy. The win now offers Spain the chance to follow West Germany into the history books as European Champions who added the World Cup to their crown. Xavi, for one, could conceivably be the star of the tournament given that he had more assists (20) last season than any other player in Europe's top leagues and runs an average 12.5km every match. "They even had Pepe in a holding midfield position. Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell ruled OUT of Wales clash after Covid 'Rule... 'Dreams do come true': Sevilla steal the limelight at the end of transfer deadline day as they announce... CHRIS WHEELER: Jadon Sancho fitted into the 'cultural reset' Manchester United have been preaching about for... Jack Wilshere slams West Ham after having his £100,000-a-week contract TERMINATED by the club on deadline... IAN LADYMAN: Manchester United's stars MUST work harder or it will cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job. I’ve always played attacking football: my footballing ideals are very clear and well-defined. 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After easily getting past the group round, the Spanish knocked out Portugal, Paraguay, and German – all with 1-0 wins – en route to the final. Arsenal complete biggest deal of deadline day as they meet Thomas Partey's £45m release clause at Atletico Madrid... with Mikel Arteta landing his priority target just MINUTES before transfer window shut. ", The tournament favourites' verve is needed to thrill the crowds after a lacklustre beginning, Xavi, right, prepares for tomorrow's game as his understudy, Cesc Fábregas of Arsenal, follows suit. I think that Spanish football fans can identify with national-team players because we’re a group of very normal, very hard-working people who love the game. "Because without Xavi, our World Cup dream is finished." Xavi Hernandez departed South Africa that summer as the best central midfielder in the world, having dictated La Roja's possession-based play to glory. Spain had to wait a nerve-racking week before it could breathe easy. The word from the Spanish camp is that Del Bosque might keep back Iniesta against the Swiss rather than take the slightest risk with a player who has been having treatment for a thigh injury. FIFA: Spain have a style of play which is distinctively theirs, with Johan Cruyff moved to state that, even in defeat against Switzerland, *La Roja *played the better football. We hit the heights at U-20 level but of course the senior World Cup is a different proposition. "We'd been taking short corners to create overloads and do more damage. What’s your verdict on South Africa 2010 so far?Well to be honest we’ve still not seen too much nice football at this World Cup. Anyone wanting to argue the point should consider that a footballer with the sublime ability of Cesc Fábregas is not even likely to be in the team when they set out to flaunt those talents against Switzerland in Durban tomorrow. It’s a real shame that every team doesn’t play attacking football. Unidad Editorial Información Deportiva, S.L.U. We like football that is attractive, attacking and easy on the eye. We’ve started this year’s competition very badly but perhaps this setback will make us stronger and we can do something great. The problem with that question is it overlooks the fact these are footballers who have already made their reputations when the heat of the battle is at its most intense – greats of our time such as Xavi, the maestro who made more passes than Arsenal's entire midfield when Barcelona dismantled Arsène Wenger's team in the Champions League, or Andrés Iniesta, a player who gives the impression of being in love with the ball.