For younger football fans, Spain have always been a powerhouse of international football. Their unique tiki-taka brand, which involves lots of short passes and lots of possession, has taken the modern game by storm, and it’s no surprise that a golden generation for La Roja coincided with a period of dominance in La Liga. Having captured the 2008 European Championships, Spain were a force to be reckoned with, and their first international trophy for 44 years would be a turning point in their footballing history.
Comprised of some of the most naturally gifted players the game has seen, Spain were hardly the most physical side, but the way they manipulated the ball meant they didn’t have to be. Heading into the 2010 World Cup they were one of the favourites under Vicente del Bosque with World Cup betting, and it’s understandable given the talent at his disposal.
Pep Guardiola had implemented his philosophy at Barcelona, and after winning the treble in his first season, the national team’s core were full of regulars from the Nou Camp. Carlos Puyol was at the heart of the defence, while the midfield triumvirate of Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta were supported by Pedro and David Villa.
The rest of the side consisted of European elite — Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fàbregas provided competition for places in midfield, whilst Fernando Torres was in red hot form and Real Madrid duo Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas ensured things were solid at the back.
Despite the team having its limitations physically, the way they set up was fascinating. Redolent to Guardiola’s 4-3-3, the midfield would consistently create overloads with their playmaking and close control, forcing opponents to press in dangerous areas which would make space for their electric forwards. Defensively, they were just as solid, with the Spaniards winning every knockout game 1-0 en route to the final. Having gone through qualifying unbeaten, they topped a group with Chile, Switzerland and Honduras despite losing their opening game against the Swiss.
A nervy end to the semi-finals set up a showpiece final with the Netherlands, with Del Bosque’s side requiring a scrappy set piece goal to break the deadlock. It was the first time the Spaniards were forced to demonstrate they could dig in and do the dirty work as well as combine for beautiful passages of play.
The stage was set for the final in South Africa. Spain vs the Netherlands. The adoring fans inside Soccer City provided a picturesque backdrop for one of the best tournaments of all time. Sounds of vuvuzelas rang out ferociously as Spain stamped their authority on the opening exchanges, but it would be Nigel de Jong’s borderline assault on Alonso that would steal the headlines. English referee Howard Webb deemed the Manchester City man’s flying foot just a yellow card offence as opposed to a red, but had VAR been around back then, the Dutch would have definitely been reduced to 10 men.
It was the type of game that required a spark of induvial brilliance and at the end of extra time that’s exactly what happened. Iniesta pounced on Fabregas’ defence-splitting pass with expert control — dealing with a bouncing ball on the dry South African surface — slicing across the Jabulani before wheeling away and throwing his shirt off in pure elation.
“I felt really strong, very confident,” he said. “I wanted the ball, I wanted to be decisive, if there was a player in front of me I wanted to go past him. I felt the confidence to be decisive and that’s how it turned out. I’ve watched the game again and I got better as it went on. In extra time I played with composure and strength. Like everybody, I desperately wanted to win that game.”
“It was a very important moment. Everything that came before was good, but everything that came afterwards was amazing. It changed everything, but more on the outside than the inside.”
Casillas raised the trophy aloft as Spain established their dominance on the international game. Another victory in the Euros in 2012 ensured they would be remembered as one of the best national sides to have played the game, and while Luis Enrique will be hoping to replicate that remarkable journey with his current crop of players, you wonder if there is enough experience in the camp just yet. The likes of Gavi and Pedri are proof that there is still life in tiki-taka football and if their careers progress in the same way as La Masia’s old guard, the good times could return for La Roja very soon.
