Spain vs The Netherlands: Three reasons why Spain will win
| S茫o Paulo, Brazil
Spain finally ended almost a century of mortification when the home of club heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona finally reached a World Cup final.
Here are three reasons why on Sunday, Spain will fill the gaping hole in the country鈥檚 footballing resume and finally get to add a star above the team鈥檚 crest:
1. In the last three or four years, Spain has been the world鈥檚 most exciting football team, winning praise for its intricate attacking play. But they also have a world-class defense that gives away very few silly goals and have only conceded two goals all tournament. Spain鈥檚 Carles Puyol will fear little from Dutch forward Robin van Persie, who has had a subdued tournament with just one goal. This will be crucial in what is traditionally a very tight game.
IN PICTURES: Paul the octopus predicts World Cup outcomes
2. The bad news for the Dutch is that at the other end of the pitch, Spain鈥檚 striker David Villa was unusually quiet against Germany and did not score. To expect this to continue through a second game of football is wishful thinking. Villa has hit the net with an amazing 42 goals in 63 international appearances and he has been on fire this tournament. He may yet end up top scorer. Given how close these games traditionally are, Spain has the player most likely to edge it their way.
3. The Dutch are playing their first World Cup final in 32 years, most of the squad were not even born when their team went down 3-1 to Argentina in 1978鈥檚 decider, and few will remember their country鈥檚 1988 European Championship triumph. Spain鈥檚 team, on the other hand, is largely the one that won the European Championship two years ago. Spain has reached its second final in as many years. They have been here before and will be less overawed by the occasion than their Dutch opponents.
Don't buy the argument? Read Three reasons why the Netherlands will beat Spain.
IN PICTURES: Paul the octopus predicts World Cup outcomes
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