Spanish press salutes heroes

• Iniesta delivered poetic justice against horrible Dutch, papers say

MADRID

The Spanish press painted their country’s first World Cup title as a triumph of artistry over the anti-football of a detestable Netherlands side.

The European champions became kings of the planet thanks to a solitary goal from Andres Iniesta in the closing stages of extra time in a game littered with fouls in Johannesburg.

Iniesta, elected as man of the match at Soccer City, was singled out for praise by Madrid newspaper El Mundo, which proclaimed: “It was poetic justice because football won and football, that marvelous universal folklore, is Iniesta.

“The little wizard had to be the one who in the 116th minute put the nail in the coffin of the 11 most quarrelsome Dutchmen in history.”

Barcelona-based paper Sport hailed “Another historic ‘Iniestazo’,” alluding to the midfielder’s crucial strike against Chelsea in last year’s Champions League semi-final deep into added time when the club had been on the verge of defeat.

“Iniesta, from Stamford Bridge to world glory at Soccer City”, the paper added.

Under the front page headline “World champions”, El Pais described the 1-0 win as “an ode to happiness”. The paper said Spain “gave an injection of universality, showed its style of football despite those who sneer at it, after an emotional, uncomfortable game against a coarse Holland. They succumbed to a rival that were well-versed in the art of the unpredictable, as well being intoxicating and mature.”

Eight privileged ones

The physical approach of the Dutch, which resulted in their being shown nine yellow cards and one of their players sent off, was heavily criticised.

Marca attacked the team’s ‘intimidating plan’, adding: “The violence restricted Spain’s usual play but not enough to negate its superiority.”

With the spine of Spain’s side being made up of Barcelona players – eight among the 23-man squad – there was plenty of pride in Catalonia.

El Mundo Deportivo pointed out that “yesterday there were eight privileged ones who joined the select group that can presume to have achieved the greatest honour a sportsman can manage: to be the best on the planet”.

Some papers said that the country, hit harder than most in Europe by the economic downturn, could find inspiration in their heroes.

ABC said: “The Spanish team is a metaphor for what Spain can aspire to be, as long as we are prepared to apply the same criteria that have been the basis for the successes of the national team. It would be good if the collective enthusiasm for the team became a stimulus for Spanish society.” (Agencies)