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World Cup 2010: Meet The Finalists - The Spain Players Who Reached The Final
Take a player-by-player look at the squad that is on the verge of winning the biggest prize in international football for the first time in la Furia Roja's history with Goal.com's Subhankar Mondal.....
Jul 11, 2010 10:15:00 AM
By Subhankar Mondal
In our World Cup Comment series, individual writers at Goal.com offer their views on the hot World Cup topics of the day with local expertise and a global outlook.....
On Sunday evening Spain take on the Netherlands for the right to become the 2010 World Cup winners. La Furia Roja started their World Cup campaign on a losing note as they were stunned 1-0 by Switzerland in their opening group game in South Africa, but since then Vicente del Bosque's side have won every single game in the competition.
Spain have reached the final of the World Cup for the first time in their history and if they win the competition, then they will become the first national team since France in 2000 to hold the World Cup and the European championships at the same time. Spain won Euro 2008 two years back.
Goal.com now looks at the players who are on the brink of creating history.....
1. Iker Casillas
Games: 6 (0 as a substitute)
Clean sheets: 4
The Real Madrid goalkeeper was held responsible by many for conceding the goal against Switzerland and although he has fumbled on a few occasions after that, Casillas kept four clean sheets and remains a top class custodian.
3. Gerard Pique
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
The Barcelona centre-back has been a huge presence at the heart of the Spain defence and has also contributed in attack.
5. Carles Puyol
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Puyol was partly guilty for the goal that Switzerland scored but has been strong as ever thereafter. The Barcelona legend netted a thumping header against Germany in the semi-final that eventually proved to be the difference between the two sides.
6. Andres Iniesta
Games: 5 (0)
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
The Barcelona 'floater' started the World Cup campaign slowly but has picked up pace since the start of the knockout rounds. He is one of only three Spain players to have scored so far in the competition.
7.David Villa
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 5
Assists: 1
The 28-year-old has scored five of the seven goals Spain have bagged in the World Cup and is the tournament's joint top scorer. The newly signed Barcelona centre-forward has been la Furia Roja's best player of the competition.
8. Xavi
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Like Iniesta, Xavi too started the World Cup campaign slowly, but like his Barcelona team-mate he has picked up momentum. It was his corner kick that Puyol headed home against the Germans and he will be a key player in the final too.
9. Fernando Torres
Games: 4 (2)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Liverpool striker has struggled in South Africa and has been in disappointing form. Torres has yet to open his account in the World Cup and was dropped against Germany in the semi-final, but he still remains one of the most feared strikers on the planet.
11. Joan Capdevilla
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Villarreal left-back has been in brilliant form in the World Cup, as he has been solid and strong at the back and has also complemented Andres Iniests and David Villa on the left side.
14. Xabi Alonso
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Real Madrid deep-lying midfielder has been entrusted with the task of helping out Sergio Busquets in defensive midfield. The former Liverpool star has had a calm and assuring presence in the World Cup and has also been very good in crafting long, diagonal balls from the midfield.
15. Sergio Ramos
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Arguably the best right-back of the World Cup, Ramos has been brilliant in complementing the attack and allowing Spain to have width that they often lack. The Real Madrid defender has proven to be as vital for La Roja as he was for them in Euro 2008.
16. Sergio Busquets
Games: 6 (0)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Barcelona defensive midfielder hasn't had exactly the best of World Cups so far but he has been important for La Roja. Busquets had a brilliant game against Germany in the semi-final and he will be keen to do something similar on Sunday evening.
Also played: Jesus Navas 1 (1 as sub, 1 assist), David Silva 1 (1 as sub), Pedro 1 (3 as sub), Marchena 0 (3 as sub), Fabregas 0 (3 as sub), Arbeloa 0 (1 as sub), Llorente 0 (1 as sub), Martinez 0 (1 as sub), Mata 0 (1 as sub)
Yet to play: Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Raul Albiol
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On Sunday evening Spain take on the Netherlands for the right to become the 2010 World Cup winners. La Furia Roja started their World Cup campaign on a losing note as they were stunned 1-0 by Switzerland in their opening group game in South Africa, but since then Vicente del Bosque's side have won every single game in the competition.
| Bet: | Returns: | Netherlands £11.67 | Draw £65.00 | Bulgaria £110.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Netherlands £11.70 | Draw £55.00 | Bulgaria £120.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Netherlands £12.00 | Draw £60.00 | Bulgaria £120.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Netherlands £12.00 | Draw £65.00 | Bulgaria £130.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Netherlands £12.00 | Draw £55.00 | Bulgaria £118.00 |
|
Spain have reached the final of the World Cup for the first time in their history and if they win the competition, then they will become the first national team since France in 2000 to hold the World Cup and the European championships at the same time. Spain won Euro 2008 two years back.
Goal.com now looks at the players who are on the brink of creating history.....
1. Iker Casillas
Games: 6 (0 as a substitute)Clean sheets: 4
The Real Madrid goalkeeper was held responsible by many for conceding the goal against Switzerland and although he has fumbled on a few occasions after that, Casillas kept four clean sheets and remains a top class custodian.
3. Gerard Pique
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 1
The Barcelona centre-back has been a huge presence at the heart of the Spain defence and has also contributed in attack.
5. Carles Puyol
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Puyol was partly guilty for the goal that Switzerland scored but has been strong as ever thereafter. The Barcelona legend netted a thumping header against Germany in the semi-final that eventually proved to be the difference between the two sides.
6. Andres Iniesta
Games: 5 (0)Goals: 1
Assists: 0
The Barcelona 'floater' started the World Cup campaign slowly but has picked up pace since the start of the knockout rounds. He is one of only three Spain players to have scored so far in the competition.
7.David Villa
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 5
Assists: 1
The 28-year-old has scored five of the seven goals Spain have bagged in the World Cup and is the tournament's joint top scorer. The newly signed Barcelona centre-forward has been la Furia Roja's best player of the competition.
8. Xavi
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Like Iniesta, Xavi too started the World Cup campaign slowly, but like his Barcelona team-mate he has picked up momentum. It was his corner kick that Puyol headed home against the Germans and he will be a key player in the final too.
9. Fernando Torres
Games: 4 (2)Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Liverpool striker has struggled in South Africa and has been in disappointing form. Torres has yet to open his account in the World Cup and was dropped against Germany in the semi-final, but he still remains one of the most feared strikers on the planet.
11. Joan Capdevilla
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Villarreal left-back has been in brilliant form in the World Cup, as he has been solid and strong at the back and has also complemented Andres Iniests and David Villa on the left side.
14. Xabi Alonso
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Real Madrid deep-lying midfielder has been entrusted with the task of helping out Sergio Busquets in defensive midfield. The former Liverpool star has had a calm and assuring presence in the World Cup and has also been very good in crafting long, diagonal balls from the midfield.
15. Sergio Ramos
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Arguably the best right-back of the World Cup, Ramos has been brilliant in complementing the attack and allowing Spain to have width that they often lack. The Real Madrid defender has proven to be as vital for La Roja as he was for them in Euro 2008.
16. Sergio Busquets
Games: 6 (0)Goals: 0
Assists: 0
The Barcelona defensive midfielder hasn't had exactly the best of World Cups so far but he has been important for La Roja. Busquets had a brilliant game against Germany in the semi-final and he will be keen to do something similar on Sunday evening.
Also played: Jesus Navas 1 (1 as sub, 1 assist), David Silva 1 (1 as sub), Pedro 1 (3 as sub), Marchena 0 (3 as sub), Fabregas 0 (3 as sub), Arbeloa 0 (1 as sub), Llorente 0 (1 as sub), Martinez 0 (1 as sub), Mata 0 (1 as sub)
Yet to play: Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Raul Albiol
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