[Wanda Maximoff]

Dutch were such a disgusting, dirty team today and it completely ruined the game. What irony that they were complaining to the referee at the end. The match should have been abandoned and awarded 3-0 to Spain, the number of red cards Netherlands should have had sent off. De Jong's assault on Alonso was potentially life-threatening, and that's not even an exaggeration. I remember a few years back Kevin Muscat was sued for a bad "tackle", and I don't think it would be a travesty if De Jong wound up in court either.

It was on sides but Iniesta should have been out of the game in the second half when he hit a Holland player in the back with his elbow. Oh well.

You mean when Van Bommel (who belongs in court, not on a football pitch) stamped on his foot, then Iniesta bumped into him and VB went flying?

[Catherine N]

Disappointing game (and result), but I'm happy enough to see Spain win as I've always quite liked them (just been a fan of the Dutch for longer). Holland were lucky to even have 10 men left on the pitch at the end, some awful tackles were flying in, particularly in the first half.

I hear Diego Forlan has been awarded the golden ball. Well deserved I think, he's been excellent all tournament.

[Rebecca Clare Smith]

I hear Diego Forlan has been awarded the golden ball. Well deserved I think, he's been excellent all tournament.

I thought Mueller got it on assists?

[Laura Shipley]

Other than Van Bommel and that tackle of De Jong's (which, although totally unacceptable and deserving of a card, I think genuinely was a misake rather than malicious) I don't think the Dutch were particularly dirty. That said, Van Bommel's play across the match deserved at least two red cards alone.

Its a shame it had to end with those dodgy reffing decisions culminating in a goal, because the best team won anyway.

[Charlie Sarson]

I hear Diego Forlan has been awarded the golden ball. Well deserved I think, he's been excellent all tournament.

I thought Mueller got it, since he had the most assists. Forlan was fun to watch, though, so not a bad choice.

[abi]

I thought Mueller got it on assists?

He got the Shoe.

The ball is for the best player I think, as voted by a panel.

[Enny Labinjo]

That sounds like something Paul would enjoy more.

Paul's done hiding. He's a star now!

[kennedy]

Other than Van Bommel and that tackle of De Jong's (which, although totally unacceptable and deserving of a card, I think genuinely was a misake rather than malicious) I don't think the Dutch were particularly dirty. That said, Van Bommel's play across the match deserved at least two red cards alone.

Its a shame it had to end with those dodgy reffing decisions culminating in a goal, because the best team won anyway.

Sneijder going in studs up on one of the Spanish midfielders too? There were so many bad tackles in that game, it was like their only tactic was to cripple the Spanish out of the game. Also, De Jong was looking straight at Alonso when he kicked him and wasn't anywhere near the ball. It's as deliberate as going to the toilet and taking a [censored].

@ Crypo: Yeah, misread you there. Good call, Forlan has been great to watch.

[gemma king]

He got the Shoe.

The ball is for the best player I think, as voted by a panel.

Ah. Hmmmm.... what other golden items could they give away at the World Cup?




The Spanish played just as dirty as the Dutch in places, the Dutch were just more open about it. Puyol holding onto Robben for all he was worth on that breakaway? That probably changed the outcome of the game, and was just as dirty as any hard tackle.

[JERMAINE VIDAURRI]

Yeah, The Golden Ball is awarded to the best player. Golden Shoe is awarded to the most goals.

I can see why the ball went to Forlan but I'd probably have given it to Sneijder or Villa.

[Amanda savory]

Golden Gloves to Rob Green?


I'd have given the golden ball to SCHWEINSTEIGER! Because you can't say that name without shouting it. Or maybe Klose - shame he didn't get to equal Ronaldo's record. That said, Ronaldo was damn good.



On the vague subject of Brazilian strikers, whatever happened to Adriano?

[Wanda Maximoff]

There goes 8 dollars that I don't even have. I didn't particularly like that game. Very boring. I thought the ref did fine. Also made history with the number of yellow cards given, which was amusing.

[Jani Eayon]

On the vague subject of Brazilian strikers, whatever happened to Adriano?

He went off the rails after his dad died and Inter sent him off to a South American team (can't remember which one) and he has never really recovered from it. I remember him being absolutely dominant for Inter in the Champions League a number of seasons ago, it's a shame.

[Luna Lovegood]

Spain won and they probably deserved it. They simply were the better team, albeit only very slightly. We played well, but it wasn't enough.

There is only one problem with Spain's win. We should have gotten that corner, but we didn't. Thirty seconds later after we didn't get that corner, Spain scored. But that's all history now.

2012 in Poland and Ukraine and 2014 in Brasil we'll be back

The Spanish played just as dirty as the Dutch in places, the Dutch were just more open about it. Puyol holding onto Robben for all he was worth on that breakaway? That probably changed the outcome of the game, and was just as dirty as any hard tackle.

Robben's own fault. He should have slowed down, fall down. Puyol would have gotten a red card and the Netherlands a penalty. Robben went on, so Webb didn't have any choice but to not give that penalty. It doesn't get any more complicated than that....

[C.L.U.T.C.H]

Robben's own fault. He should have slowed down, fall down. Puyol would have gotten a red card and the Netherlands a penalty. Robben went on, so Webb didn't have any choice but to not give that penalty. It doesn't get any more complicated than that....

So you are saying that fouls should only be called when the player dives? :huh:

Wait, are you Mr. Webb? :gun:

[priscillaaa]

Congratulations to Spain. You were the better team. Our 9 (?) yellow cards are a disgrace, although i don't think the De Jong's kick was on purpose.

[Carlitos Avila]

So you are saying that fouls should only be called when the player dives? :huh:

Wait, are you Mr. Webb? :gun:

Negative, but the problem was that Robben continued on, if he had fallen down this would not have happened. I'm just saying it how it is, not saying I'm agreeing to it. On the contrary in fact.

Anyhow I'm more annoyed by him not giving us that corner lol

[Marilú]

Robben's own fault. He should have slowed down, fall down. Puyol would have gotten a red card and the Netherlands a penalty. Robben went on, so Webb didn't have any choice but to not give that penalty. It doesn't get any more complicated than that....

They wouldn't have been given a penalty because the foul was outside the box. Quite frankly I'm amazed that Robben didn't flap about after that challenge, he normally rolls around howling in pain when anyone so much as looks at him funny. I think he wanted to make it into the box first and try for a penalty.

[Krystal Wilson]

Negative, but the problem was that Robben continued on, if he had fallen down this would not have happened. I'm just saying it how it is, not saying I'm agreeing to it. On the contrary in fact.

Anyhow I'm more annoyed by him not giving us that corner lol

Robben did what a player should have done in that situation: his best to carry on despite his opponent's blatant cheating. Webb then should have done what he should have done in that situation, which was penalize Spain. Instead, he was too invested in the opposite philosophy, which is to generously reward whiners. Two Cups in a row now. I may have to stop watching.

[CHANONE]

The main dive by the Spanish was early in the second half when Villa got a little kick and went down like his leg was broke. Dutch player got booked but that was the only booking I disagree with.

Also, Robben could've been sent off too but Webb was lenient.

[Taylrea Teodor]

The main dive by the Spanish was early in the second half when Villa got a little kick and went down like his leg was broke. Dutch player got booked but that was the only booking I disagree with.

Also, Robben could've been sent off too but Webb was lenient.

You mean inconsistent, when he let Robben off for kicking the ball away then booked Xavi for the exact same thing?

[Dalley hussain]

You mean inconsistent, when he let Robben off for kicking the ball away then booked Xavi for the exact same thing?

Well, I always think that rule is flawed because you can't send someone off for kicking the ball away, imo, because it isn't worth a red-card. It's a stupid rule which wouldn't be necessary if players acted like advlts.

[Micah Judaeah]

Also, Robben could've been sent off too but Webb was lenient.

For dissent? That's a yellow.

You mean inconsistent, when he let Robben off for kicking the ball away then booked Xavi for the exact same thing?

Xavi got booked for deliberately trying to delay the game, which is a different foul than the poor sportmanship foul in simply kicking it away, and it is one that is called more strictly as the end of a match approaches.

[Annick Charron]

http://i27.tinypic.com/1se6jd.jpg
Yellow card, huh? :huh:

[Miss Hayley]

http://i27.tinypic.com/1se6jd.jpg
Yellow card, huh? :huh:

Yeah, that should have been a red. There really is no debating that.