World Cup Final Player Ratings
World Cup Final Player Ratings
Posted: 2010-07-11 23:29
KICK OFF rates the players in Sunday night’s World Cup Final, which saw Spain beat Netherlands 1-0.
NETHERLANDS
*7 Maarten Stekelenburg – Makes a good early save from Ramos and isn’t tested again in the first half. Saves with his leg from Fabregas in a one-on-one in extra-time.
6 Gregory van der Wiel – Steady and not too troubled by the Spanish, although a few passes go astray.
6 Joris Mathijsen – Assured under the high ball and solid in defence, but misses a good chance to score at the far post and heads a corner over the bar in extra-time.
6 John Heitinga – Makes and wins some crucial blocks, tackles and headers, even though committing several fouls. And he commits one too many when he pulls down Iniesta and gets red-carded.
7 Giovani van Bronckhorst – Calm and collected as the heat gets to his teammates. Leads like a true captain.
7 Nigel de Jong – Chases hard for the ball and is booked for a high studs-up on Alonso’s chest. Breaks up play well and is everywhere he needs to be.
6 Mark van Bommel – Like De Jong is in the thick of the action and is booked for a foul on Iniesta. Thereafter lucky to stay on the field with several harsh tackles, but does his job to stifle Spain.
5 Dirk Kuyt – Fights hard as usual, but barring a half attempt early on is never threatening.
5 Wesley Sneijder – In and out the match, hustling for possession of the ball. Great through-ball to put Robben one-on-one, but not really in the game by his high standards.
6 Arjen Robben – Tricky on the ball and wins some good free-kicks. Sees a first half near-post shot tipped around for a corner. Then Casillas’ boot stops a certain goal in a one-on-one. Later beats Puyol for pace following a long ball and flick-on, but just can’t finish.
5 Robin van Persie – Booked for an early foul, but recovers well with some useful twists and turns thereafter, but not given much space and time to make an impact.
7 Eljera Elia - replaces Kuyt and is useful on the ball, looking to create openings.
6 Rafael van der Vaart – Comes on for De Jong in the first half of extra-time, but cannot make a huge impact.
Edson Braafheid – Comes on for Van Bronckhorst and is too late to get a rating.
SPAIN
8 Iker Casillas – Makes a good low save at his near post from Robben and denies him again, albeit with his toe, in the second half. Safe and secure in every other aspect.
6 Sergio Ramos – Has an early flash across goal and is then booked for foul on Kuyt. Heads Xavi’s great corner over the bar under no pressure at all.
6 Carles Puyol – Gets stuck in early, getting booked for a foul on Robben. But then solid throughout.
6 Gerard Pique – Calm in possession and always looking to get flowing moves started.
5 Joan Capdevilla – Finds Robben a tricky customer. Early in the second half misses a back post chance.
6 Sergio Busquets - A few nervous moments one of which almost gifts Kuyt a goal, but settles well after that.
6 Xabi Alonso – Works hard and passes well, but not as influential as he would have liked. Replaced late in the game by Fabregas.
*8 Andres Iniesta – Is fouled throughout the match, but the most dangerous player on the field with excellent passing and moving into space. Fitting for him to score the winner in extra-time.
7 Xavi – Gets on the ball often, but the Dutch make sure he enjoys his space deep in the field. Still, he drives all the attacking play for Spain.
5 Pedro – One good run, but flashes his shot wide. Otherwise quiet.
6 David Villa – Good movement, but no real chances in the opening half. Misses from close range after Heitinga’s mistake as somehow his attempt flies off a Dutch player’s boot and over the bar.
7 Jesus Navas – Comes on for Pedro early in second half and is a threat with his speed. Sees his deflected shot go just wide in extra-time.
7 Cesc Fabregas – Replaces Alonso after 86 minutes. Misses a one-on-one in extra-time as Stekelenburg saves with leg, but makes the goal for Iniesta.
Fernando Torres – Replaces Villa at halftime of extra-time, but not on the field long enough for a rating.
Comment on this article:
TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com