JOHANNESBURG — After all the bluster about Brazil and the awe inspired by Germany, the World Cup comes down to two of the all-time underachievers playing for their first title.
Spain and the Netherlands, teams with long histories of wasting their biggest opportunities, meet today at Soccer City to conclude the first World Cup held in Africa.
What began as a celebration of this continent, then turned into a South American fiesta for two rounds, finishes off with one European country discarding its also-ran label.
Which one?
“I am sure the Spanish can win any game because they are dominant and it’s hard to contain their attack,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said after his team lost 1-0 in the semifinals. “They have shown they can beat anyone.”
Perhaps. But . . .
“The Dutch can create a goal from any situation,” coach Oscar Tabarez said after his Uruguay squad allowed three to the Netherlands, one more than it gave before that game. “They play some beautiful football.”
How nice it would be if this final featured just that: well-played, open, creative soccer. That’s what the Dutch and Spaniards do best. So if coaches Bert van Marwijk and Vicente del Bosque don’t turn conservative, today’s showdown could turn into one entertaining shootout.
“I love attacking football,” Van Marwijk said, “but you have to work together when the opponent has the ball and then you can go a long way.”
The Dutch have gone a long way in the World Cup before. They simply couldn’t finish it off in 1974 and 1978, losing in the final to host teams West Germany and Argentina. They carry one of the most impressive strings of success into the championship match that soccer has seen: 10 straight wins and 25 games without a loss. If they beat Spain, the Dutch will match Brazil’s 1970 accomplishment of sweeping all qualifying and World Cup games.
They have the tools. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been brilliant throughout the tournament and is tied with Spain striker David Villa for the scoring lead with five goals. The three-pronged unit up front of Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie matches up with any group anywhere.
“Holland is going to play its football,” Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets said. “That’s important, that everyone plays their own game.”
Obviously, turning the final into an offensive show makes sense for the Netherlands. Unfortunately for the Oranje, it might make even more sense for the Spaniards.
The European champions can match the Dutch in firepower with Villa, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres. And they have the more experienced goalkeeper in Iker Casillas.
World Cup championship
NETHERLANDS (4) VS. SPAIN (2) (FIFA world rankings) 12:30 p.m. today, TV: KMGH-7, KCEC-50 (Spanish)Road to the title game: The Netherlands has scored 12 goals, second only to Germany, and got three against Uruguay in the semifinals, a 3-2 victory. Uruguay had allowed only two in the entire tournament. Spain, after an opening loss to Switzerland, has won every match, beating the Germans in the semifinals 1-0.
Netherlands: The Dutch are on a 25-game unbeaten streak and have won 10 in a row, including all six games here, the only nation with an unblemished record in South Africa. Midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been a playmaker and scorer, tied for the World Cup lead with five goals.
Spain: The European champion has gotten steadily better, particularly when it gets the ball on the feet of striker David Villa, who also has five goals. Midfielders Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso have controlled the ball with precise passing and solid positioning.
