The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Main Street]

Spain deserved to win and Holland should have no complaints, especially given Robbens two one-on-one's. Also, on last nights evidence, Fabregas should definitely start for Spain.

Doesn't stop Holland being bad losers, Robben is some whiner. They have some cheek to criticise Webb. Indicative of the negative mentality they have in their set-up at this tournament.
Contrast that with the Uruguayan manager's dignified response to going out to Holland when there was a controversial game defining goal.

[paco]

They should be thanking Webb, but for him they would have been down to 9 men by half time.

[Bogball XV]

Both Paraguay and Uruguay had well coached sparse squads. Both were littered with technically proficient players, comfortable on the ball, playing an attractive balance of defensive, midfield and attacking football. Both teams were refreshingly (almost) free from the histrionic cynicism of the European teams.

Ah main street, we've been through Uruguay and I can see your point, but Paraguay??  Mentioning Paraguay and attractive in the same sentence, whilst not referring to the world cup's sexiest player (Roque Santa Cruz apparently) or thon bird with the phone in her chest is a stretch too far.  Paraguay's last goal in the tournament was in the last few minutes of their second game.  They proceeded to play 90 mins against New Zealand and 120 against Japan without really looking like scoring, granted they played better against Spain and should have scored, but still, that was 5 hours of football without a score, attractive balance of defensive, midfield and attacking football, not for me anway.

[Rossie11]

Try telling that to the million or so people awaiting the open bus tour in the city centre Madrid!

Barca players been cheered through streets of Madrid whilst at same time Barca fans are sickened with the result

[Capt Pat]

The Bbc tore into Webbs first half performance but not by name. Tge Dutch are blaming Webb as well. Unfortunately for him he blew the big calls last night and that won't be forgotten.

The only thing In his favour is that it is hard when a team goes out to commit fouls knowing a yellow card won't result in a suspension. There was a late tackle last night where a Dutch player was so late that the ref had turned his back on the players to follow where the ball was going.

[paco]

Try telling that to the million or so people awaiting the open bus tour in the city centre Madrid!

Barca players been cheered through streets of Madrid whilst at same time Barca fans are sickened with the result

I know, it's ironic that the spine of this team is Catalan. "ould have been some craic if Llorente had came on and scored the winner!

[Galwaybhoy]

The Bbc tore into Webbs first half performance but not by name. Tge Dutch are blaming Webb as well. Unfortunately for him he blew the big calls last night and that won't be forgotten.

The only thing In his favour is that it is hard when a team goes out to commit fouls knowing a yellow card won't result in a suspension. There was a late tackle last night where a Dutch player was so late that the ref had turned his back on the players to follow where the ball was going.

I have to laugh at the Dutch blaming Webb.  He was overly kind to them.  Yes he made a mistake with Spains goal but Holland were lucky he didn't send two or three of them off.

[Main Street]

Both Paraguay and Uruguay had well coached sparse squads. Both were littered with technically proficient players, comfortable on the ball, playing an attractive balance of defensive, midfield and attacking football. Both teams were refreshingly (almost) free from the histrionic cynicism of the European teams.

Ah main street, we've been through Uruguay and I can see your point, but Paraguay??  Mentioning Paraguay and attractive in the same sentence, whilst not referring to the world cup's sexiest player (Roque Santa Cruz apparently) or thon bird with the phone in her chest is a stretch too far.  Paraguay's last goal in the tournament was in the last few minutes of their second game.  They proceeded to play 90 mins against New Zealand and 120 against Japan without really looking like scoring, granted they played better against Spain and should have scored, but still, that was 5 hours of football without a score, attractive balance of defensive, midfield and attacking football, not for me anway.

I never noticed the phone 'til somebody here pointed it out. 
One can never discount (even the subliminal) the effect of that photo on people's positive perceptions of Paraguay.
They have come a long way since the boy scout teams they have sent to previous tournaments.
Quality is relative in international football, Paraguay like their rival Uruguay made great use of their meagre resources to shine brighter than the illustrious Argentina or arguably even Brazil.
With Spain, Torres is injured? bring on Villa or Silva or even Jesus   Alonso injured? just bring on Fabregas.
In their first game (cagily) they credibly drew with champions Italy, then they outplayed Slovakia and only needed a draw against  NZ to top the group. I didn't see the NZ game but the other 2 were a credit to a team who knew how to defend and pass their way out of trouble. Every player was comfortable on the ball, the team worked as one and they were the best passing team in that tournament after Spain.
I think on overall quality no doubt they are behind Spain, Germany and Holland  but performed better that the rest of the European teams.  Do Paraguay leave this tournament with lots of credit? the answer is yes.
And when I visit S.A. I will surely consider going to Paraguay

[GalwayBayBoy]

Webb was rubbish because he is not a good ref. Full stop. He was woeful in the Premier League last season but somehow managed have a couple of decent games in the World Cup which led to him getting the final where he promptly reverted back to his usual form. How can a ref have a good game when he is booking lads for tackles he clearly did not see (Heitinga) and then not actually giving the opposition the free-kick for it. Or when he misses a huge deflection off the Spanish wall that would have given the Dutch a corner rather than conceding a goal at the other end 20 seconds later. Granted the Dutch did not make it easy on him but he should have sent at least one of them off before half-time. De Jong certainly should have got a straight red for his assault on Alonso. Nobody would have argued with that and maybe it would have stopped the Dutch systematically takling turns to foul all through the game. Bottom line is Webb got too much wrong even if it was a difficult final to officiate.

[The Real Laoislad]

Après match brilliant tonight

Aye they were hilarious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyu6VIVSvgA&feature=channel

[mountainboii]

Après match brilliant tonight

Aye they were hilarious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyu6VIVSvgA&feature=channel

That was great.

[DennistheMenace]

Reina enjoys the craic..

http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20100712/guerra-almohadas-fiesta-enorme/339362.shtml

[Archie Mitchell]

Cesc Fabregased

[thewobbler]

Glad to see Spain win that. Truly they are an exceptional team and if Torres had have been on form they would have spanked teams in the way their football deserved.

For me, Iniesta and Xavi are both edging their ways into the bracket of best footballers of all time. In terms of movement, intelligence, precision and energy, they have no peers in modern football.

[ross4life]

The worst day of the tournament was the day Holland beat Brazil

The Spain -v- Brazil final was the one we all wanted to see....well all neutrals anyway. I still can't decide how it would have gone, I'd love to know, but we never will.

Disappointing performances from the likes of Ribery, Gourcuff, Anelka, Henry, Rooney, Gerrard, Messi, Ronaldo, Eto'o , Van Persie, kaka, Drogba, Torres

Looking back how many good matches did we get? & i wouldn't use the ball as a excuse... the quality of players was not up to the level of other world cups